• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sprinkles and Sprouts

Great food with grocery store ingredients

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • By Category
  • Chicken
  • Pasta
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • By Category
    • Chicken
    • Pasta
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
  • ×
    Home > Meal Type > Appetizers and Starters

    Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites

    Updated: Jun 22nd 2021 • Published: May 28th 2018 • 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved!
    Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites | These are a flavor packed hors d’oeuvre (canapé) that are great for entertaining as they can be made in advance and served at room temperature. Plus they are keto and gluten free! Recipe by Sprinkles and Sprouts | Delicious Food for Easy Entertaining #chickenrecipe #partyfood #summerparty #outdoorentertaining #BBQchicken #grilledchicken #keto #lowcarb

    Smoky spicy chicken, with a cooling mint yogurt all sat on a cucumber disk. These Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites are a flavor packed hors d’oeuvre (canapé) that are great for entertaining as they can be made in advance and served at room temperature.

    Plus these are Keto, low carb and gluten free. That is a party hors d'oeuvre that covers a lot of bases!

    thin cucumber dish with a small piece of tandoori chicken on it, drizzled with a mint yogurt

    The paprika stained chicken has been marinating. The flesh so perfectly infused with color and flavor. Homemade tandoori chicken, ready for the grill.
    As the chicken hits the bars, the smell is instant. Smoke, spice and something slightly sweet. They sizzle, hiss and you are instantly hungry.
    The marinade is thick, coating the chicken and giving you plenty of opportunity to savour the intense aromas, a spice trail adventure in your own backyard.
    As you turn the chicken, the deep onyx lines are charred beautifully onto the flesh. A few more minutes of sizzling and the chicken is cooked to perfection.
    You can't resist a taste, the fragrance of lemon hits you first, then woody heady spice of garam masala and the tingle of cayenne.
    HomemadeTandoori Chicken, check!

    close up on a single hors d'oeuvre, showing the char on the tandoori chicken and the mint in the yogurt

    Can you make chicken Tandoori without a tandor oven?

    YES! You can use the power of your outdoor grill (or BBQ) to recreate the heat and smoke of a tandor oven.  If it is freezing outside or you don't have an outdoor grill then you can use a grill pan on the hob. Just make sure you have that grill pan super hot.

    The trick to homemade tandoori chicken is getting the char on the chicken. This gives you the classic tandoori flavor. But you want to ensure the chicken is cooked through as well.

    If you are using the grill then have the heat medium high and let it warm up for a good 15 minutes before you cook the chicken. Once you have put the chicken on the bars, don't touch it. Let it cook, if you lift it too soon the chicken will stick to the bars.

    If you are doing it on a grill pan, have the heat under the pan set on high and let the pan heat up for a good 5 minutes. Then add the chicken and turn the heat down to medium. Again don't touch the chicken, let it cook until it natural releases itself from the pan.

    Four pictures showing the cooked tandoori chicken being cut into bite sized chunks

    What gives tandoori chicken the red colour?

    I was told by the mother of an Indian friend that as well as the spices she often uses a special food colouring to get the red color on her tandoori chicken.
    Because I am clumsy and I always end up staining my fingers and benchtop when I use food colouring, I like to avoid the food colouring route. But I have included it as an optional ingredient in the recipe. Even without food coloring you can still get a beautiful orange red color.

    I marinade the chicken for 10 minutes in lemon juice and paprika to give it a beautiful color. You can add your food coloring at this stage if you like.

    Table view, showing tandoori chicken bites on a marble platter

    For other great recipes, that will go well with these Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites, try serving these options at your next party:

    • Cucumber Mousse And Dill Shrimp Bites
    • Hot and Spicy Chicken Skewers
    • Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Cherry Salsa
    • Thai Chicken Salad Wonton Cups
    • Smoked Fish and Sweetcorn Tartlets

    Any maybe add a jug of Lemon and Blueberry Punch, a pitcher of White Sangria or a summery Lemon and Basil Gin and Tonic.

    Enjoy x


    Why not pin this recipe for these Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites for later. Pin it here.

    Small sq image showing the chicken bites and their coriander garnish
    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 8 votes

    Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites

    Smoky spicy chicken, with a cooling mint yogurt all sat on a cucumber disk. These Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites are a flavor packed hors d’oeuvre (canapé) that are great for entertaining as they can be made in advance and served at room temperature
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    marinating time1 hr
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Finger Food
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 19kcal
    Author: Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
    Need Metric Measurements?Use the options below to toggle between cups and grams (if relevant)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    For the chicken

    • 1 lemon
    • 2 teaspoon paprika
    • 4 drops red food coloring optional
    • 2 skinless chicken thighs

    For the marinade

    • ¼ cup plain yogurt
    • 1 inch ginger - grated
    • 2 garlic cloves - crushed
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric

    For the mint yoghurt sauce

    • ¼ cup plain yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried mint

    To finish

    • 1 cucumber
    • Fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    To make the chicken

    • Mix the lemon juice, paprika and food coloring (if using) in a non-metallic dish. Add the chicken thighs and set aside for 10 minutes.
    • Whilst the chicken is soaking in the lemon, mix the marinade ingredients together.
    • Pour the marinade over the chicken and set aside for at least an hour (or a max of 24)
    • To cook on the grill:
    • Heat the grill (medium high) for 15 minutes before you cook the chicken. Place the marinated chicken directly onto the bars and grill for 8 mins without moving and then flip the chicken and cook for a further 8 minutes.
    • To cook on the hob:
    • Place the grill pan over a high heat and let it get hot for 5 minutes. Then add the chicken and turn the heat down to medium, cook the chicken for 8 mins without moving and then flip the chicken and cook for a further 8 minutes.
    • Set the chicken aside to cool. Then cut into small cubes.

    To make the Mint Yogurt Sauce

    • Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Taste and add more salt if needed.

    To assemble

    • Cut the cucumber into thin disks and set them on a serving platter.
    • Add a cube of chicken to each dish and drizzle over a small amount of yogurt sauce.
    • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 62mg | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts
    If you love food why not subscribe to my newsletter, I will drop you an email every now and then, just to say hi and send you a couple of recipes think you might love, like these Tandoori Chicken & Yogurt Cucumber Bites.
    It isn't everyday! I am not that organised. Usually it is once a week (ish). And as a thank you I will send you my soup cookbook FREE. Full of my fav soups!
    Subscribe today 🙂

    RECIPE NEWSLETTER

    Signup and get my FREE soup cookbook.

    By clicking submit, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

    book_ad

    Also find me on:
    Facebook | Instagram | Twitter.
    Let's share the food love and make the world a tastier place 🙂

    More Appetizers and Starters

    • close up on a single half of deviled egg
      Deviled Eggs with Fried Capers
    • close up on Salmon Crudo with capers and dill
      Salmon Crudo
    • close up on the chopped tomatoes on top of crust bruschetta
      Italian Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
    • close up on cajun butter being drizzled over cooked shrimp
      Easy Cajun Butter Shrimp

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz says

      June 05, 2018 at 7:10 pm

      5 stars
      Claire, these are such delicious starters or snacks! Plus they have the bonus of being low carb. LOVE them!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 05, 2018 at 8:53 pm

        Thank you Liz, low carb and tasty! That is winning, right????

        Reply
    2. Shiho says

      June 05, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic appetiser recipe. Thank you Claire. Next time I have bring a plate party, I will make this 😀

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 05, 2018 at 8:54 pm

        I hope they go down well Shiho 😀

        Reply
    3. Amy says

      June 01, 2018 at 11:58 pm

      mmm. this looks amazing! As an appetizer or even the tandoori chicken with rice and veggies!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 02, 2018 at 8:17 am

        The chicken is great with rice and a dhal too 😀
        Or stuffed into wraps with salad for lunch!

        Reply
    4. Cristina - Memories of the Pacific says

      June 01, 2018 at 3:58 am

      I've never had yogurt + cucumber, I want to try it to see what it tastes like!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 01, 2018 at 6:32 pm

        Oh Cristina, I think you are going to love it!

        Reply
    5. celeste wright says

      June 01, 2018 at 1:02 am

      what a lovely appetizer. I think I would really enjoy this. I must make it soon!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 01, 2018 at 6:32 pm

        It is so perfect for summer entertaining, hope you love it 😀

        Reply
    6. Emily says

      May 31, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      I love that these are perfect little bites! Fresh and spicy flavors together for a perfect app!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 31, 2018 at 10:54 pm

        Thank you Emily 😀

        Reply
    7. candy says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:15 am

      Our cucumbers will be coming on really soon in the garden. This is just one more great way to enjoy eating our fresh cucumbers.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 31, 2018 at 9:38 am

        Oh this would be lovely with homegrown cucumber 😀

        Reply
    8. Robin Gagnon says

      May 29, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect for any summer event! What a refreshing appetizer.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 30, 2018 at 9:28 am

        Thank you Robin, they really are!

        Reply
    9. Tatiana says

      May 29, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious! Crispy cucumber, cooling yogurt and flavorful chicken makes the bite absolutely satisfying.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 29, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        Thank you Tatiana, so happy you enjoyed it 😀

        Reply
    10. Lizzy says

      May 29, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      These are always such a success!
      I am so happy the recipe is now on your blog as the written copy you gave me is very dog eared and stained.
      Now I have an online version of one of my favourite canapés.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        May 29, 2018 at 1:50 pm

        I knew you would be happy to have this on the blog....so many happy summers eating these xx

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    a lady stood in a white kitchen chopping a tomato

    I'm Claire and I love food!
    I dream about food and I am happiest when I am in the kitchen cooking. Whether that is dinner for my family, snacks for drinks with my girlfriends or testing new recipes for my site, the kitchen is my happy place. Sprinkles and Sprouts is where I share it all and I am so happy you are here.

    Read More →

    As featured in

    Popular

    • close up on a ladle of gravy pouring into a white gravy boat
    • square picture of a cast iron skillet of pasta
    • close up on the coriander and charred top of a sweet naan bread
    • Garlic bacon spaghetti in a large shallow grey bowl
    • Close up on roasted lemon potatoes in a white bowl

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Sprinkles
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    All content, recipes and photographs are copyrighted to Claire McEwen and are the property of Sprinkles and Sprouts.
    THEY MAY NOT BE REPUBLISHED IN PART OR WHOLE WITHOUT PERMISSION AND PROPER CREDIT.
    Contact me to see republishing and syndication rights.

    Copyright © 2020 Sprinkles and Sprouts

    Copyright © 2023 · Cravings Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in