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Five skewers of grilled Chicken Malai Tikka served on a cream speckled plate with a side of vibrant green cilantro chutney.
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5 from 1 vote

Creamy Chicken Malai Tikka in Air Fryer (So juicy!)

Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth Chicken Malai Tikka made in the air fryer with yogurt, cream, cheese, and spices. Juicy, easy, and weeknight-friendly.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Marinate2 hours
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Servings: 5
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Aneesha Gupta

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces

Marinade

  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 serrano chili Stem removed
  • 1 inch ginger, peeled or 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled or 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch or gram flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoons ground white pepper or 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons cumin powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek (kasuri methi)
  • ¾ teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala + ½ teaspoon for finishing
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ½ a lemon + more for finishing
  • ½ cup shredded Mozzarela cheese Full-fat or Low-fat
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil for brushing air fryer tray

Instructions

  • Prepare marinade: Blend the yogurt, serrano, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, spices, and cornstarch until smooth. Add the mozzarella and blend again to make a thick marinade. Stir in cream, chopped cilantro, and kasuri methi.
    A glass bowl containing the base for Malai Tikka marinade with heavy cream, yogurt, fresh cilantro, and dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
  • Marinate chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-1.5-inch pieces and add them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix well so every piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
    Cubed chicken breast being tossed in a creamy yogurt and spice marinade in a glass mixing bowl with a white spatula.
  • Assemble Skewers: Thread the chicken pieces onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers, about 4 pieces per skewer, packing them fairly tight.
    Hands threading marinated creamy chicken cubes onto wooden bamboo skewers over a black plate.
  • Air Fry: Arrange the chicken skewers in a single layer and cook at 385°F for 8 minutes.
    Raw marinated chicken skewers placed in a single layer inside a black air fryer basket.
  • Flip & Air Fry: Flip the skewers and air-fry for another 4-5 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or higher.
    A hand flipping partially cooked chicken malai tikka skewers in an air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and charring.
  • Finish and serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with a little chaat masala and a few drops of fresh lemon juice.
    Fully cooked chicken malai tikka skewers in an air fryer basket with golden-brown charred edges and a glistening, creamy finish.

Video

Notes

  • Chicken thighs or breast: I use them interchangeably. Chicken thighs yield the juiciest results since they are more forgiving if slightly overcooked and stay tender even after reheating.
  • Keep the pieces similar in size: That helps them cook evenly.
  • Don't skip the marinating time: A minimum of 2 hours helps the flavors soak in and tenderizes the chicken. 6-8 hours is ideal.
  • To prevent the marinade from slipping off the meat, use thick Greek yogurt and don't skip the cheese and cornstarch.
  • Crush the kasuri methi before adding: This releases more flavor and aroma.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Cook in batches if needed so the chicken roasts rather than steams.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer if needed: Chicken is done when the thickest part reaches 165°F.
  • Skip the skewers: If you prefer, you can skip threading the chicken onto the skewers and make this chicken malai tikka without them, following the same cooking instructions. 
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates.  If you follow any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg