If you’re ever had a vibrant haryali chicken tikka or hara chicken at an Indian restaurant & wondered how to make it at home, you’re in the right place. This green chicken recipe uses fresh mint, cilantro and yogurt to make a creamy, spicy green chicken marinade. Its fragrant tanginess works perfectly for chicken drumsticks. haryali chicken tikka in the oven or even green tandoori chicken!
What is Green Chicken (aka Haryali Chicken)?
In Hindi, the word “haryali” quite literally translate to something that’s very green, which perfectly describes the vibrant color of this fresh, herb loaded marinade. I’ve also seen haryali chicken show up on manus as green chicken masala, chicken hara masala, or haryali murgh.
I love this marinade cause it;’s simply a spin on a using green chutney as a marinade with the fresh cilantro and mint blended into a smooth paste with the green chilies, ginger, garlic and spices. While this marinade is more often used for chicken tikka or kebabs, I love to use it to make baked chicken drumsticks or grilled chicken legs!
What You’ll Need to Make Haryali Chicken Marinade
The ingredients to make a Haryali chicken marinade are not too different from how you’d approach making a mint chutney. Here’s the ingredients you’ll need to pull out:
- 2 pounds of any Chicken (I use drumsticks or thighs)
- Green chilies – the small ones you find at the indian store
- Greek yogurt – key for tenderizing the chicken to create a creamy marinade
- Fresh ginger & garlic
- Fresh cilantro & mint – gives you a signature green color & herb flavor
- Spices – red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala & turmeric powder
- Curry leaves – complement all the herbs very well!
- Lime juice – for a bright, tangy finish
How to Make the Best Green Chicken Marinade
Just all the cilantro, mint, curry leaves, ginger, garlic, spices and lime juice to a blender with the yogurt and blend into a smooth paste! Ad din the salt and aster it before you add the chicken in.
The yogurt keeps the chicken moist while the herbs give it that signature green color and freshness. this works perfectly for a chicken drumsticks marinade, chicken tikka marinade or even an Indian BBQ-style chicken drumstick marinade.
Step by Step Haryali Chicken Recipe
- Prepare the marinade by blending the ingredients together.
- Prep the chicken by trimming any fat and cleaning it.
- Pour the marinade onto the chicken and use your hands to massage the marinade into each piece.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I just throw it in the freezer for a later date!
- To cook, you can grill, bake or airfry at 400F for 25-35 minutes.
It’s pretty simply and this method works whether you’re making hariyali chicken tikka, green chicken kebab or just over baked chicken drumsticks. the main difference will just be the amount of time you cook the chicken but I personally just use a chicken thermometer any time I grill or bake chicken.
Variations of Haryali Chicken to Try
- Haryali Chicken Tikka – cut boneless, skinless chicken thighs into cubes, marinate, then skewer and grill.
- Green Tandoori Chicken – just use that sam marinade for whole chicken pieces in a tandoor or oven.
- Chicken Green Masala Curry – Use the marinade as a gravy base with some extra water for a saucier dish.
More Indian Chicken Marinade Ideas
If you love this haryali chicken marinade, try my Spicy Masala Chicken drumsticks, Juicy Chicken Angaarey Tikka, Halal Cart Chicken over Rice or Dry Roast Chicken Fry.
Print
Haryali Chicken Drumsticks (Green Chicken Marinade)
- Total Time: 42 minute
- Yield: Serves 3-4 1x
Description
If you’re ever had a vibrant haryali chicken tikka & wondered how to make it at home, you’re in the right place. This green chicken recipe uses fresh herbs & yogurt to make a spicy Indian marinade that goes great on Chicken drumsticks or any other protein.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 5 green chilies, chopped
- 1–2 tbsp red chili powder
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- Juice of 1 lime
- Curry leaves (optional)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade : In a blender or food processor, combine green chilies, curry leaves, greek yogurt, cilantro, mint, ginger garlic paste, lime juice, and all the spices. Blend until smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken. Place trimmed & cleaned chicken thighs or drumsticks in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over and mix well, making sure each piece is fully coated. I use my hands to massage it in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Cook the Chicken
- Oven: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Arrange chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until fully cooked.
- Airfry: same directions as oven.
Notes
This haryali chicken recipe pairs so well with some rasam & rice! This is the garlic rasam I like to pair with it, it’s super beginner friendly and requires no rasaam powder or dal
- Prep Time: 15
- Marination time: 2+ Hours
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Chicken
- Cuisine: Indian