Tandoori Fish Recipe

This is an easy Indian tandoori fish masala recipe that’s low carb and quick to make!

Whitefish is marinated with a homemade fish masala and then cooked until tender. It pairs well with rice , slaw , or vegetables for a complete meal.

My favorite types of fish to use for this Indian recipe are catfish, tilapia, halibut, or cod. If those are hard to find, then know that any whitefish will work well.

Want to try another tasty meal? Give my Lamb Chops a try!

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Equipment
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage and Reheating
• Fish Types
• Pair it with…
• Top Tips
• 📖 Recipe
• FAQ
• 💬 Community

Ingredients

• whitefish (catfish, tilapia, cod, halibut, etc)
• garlic
• ginger
• turmeric powder or fresh
• coriander powder
• tandoori masala (I like Raja Brand)
• black pepper
• red chili powder
• oil
• salt
• cilantro for garnishment

Instructions

Combine the fish masala ingredients.

Add the patted dry fish filets one at a time to lightly coat them each.

Marinate by setting it aside until you are ready to cook (I don’t recommend marinating longer than 24 hours).

Place the fish in a crisper pan and cook at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

Equipment

1. Crisper Pan for oven method
2. Wide flat pan for stove top method
3. Large bowl for marinating and making the tandoori fish masala
4. Spatula

Substitutions

• Tandoori Masala- Use any brand of tandoori masala available. A little goes a long way in this recipe.
• Kashmiri Chili Powder- substitute with paprika

Variations

• Less Spice- Add very little spices (ginger, garlic, tandoori masala, Kashmiri chili, and red chili powder)
• More Spice- Garnish with fresh green chili peppers.

Storage and Reheating

Marinating- The fish can be marinated for about 24 hours but I do not recommend anything more than that since the fish masala has salt.

Reheating- Use a toaster or oven to reheat the cooked fish in a pan with a cover until heated through at 350 degrees. Feel free to use foil as a cover.

Fish Types

You can use any white fish that is readily available to you. In my experience, I have used the following and all have worked well…

1. Catfish (Indian Catfish is my favorite)
2. Halibut
3. Cod
4. Dover Sol
5. Tilapia
6. Grouper

Pair it with…

1. Roti
2. Slaw , Avocado, and an Onion Salad for Fish Tacos
3. Onion Salad and lemon wedge
4. White Rice
5. Masala Rice
6. Quinoa
7. Chutney!

Top Tips

• I do not recommend marinating the fish for more than 24 hours.
• Let the fish sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
• Oven baked results in a delicious soft flaky texture.
• When cooking the fish in a pan, I only like to flip it once. Cook the second side for half the time the first time was cooked. Hence, cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for 2 minutes.

📖 Recipe

Tandoori Fish Recipe- Oven Baked or Pan Seared

Ingredients1x2x3x

Fish Masala Ingredients

• ▢ 1 teaspoon fresh grated garlic
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ginger
• ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric (fresh preferred)
• ▢ 2 tablespoon dry coriander powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon tandoori masala (I like Raja Brand)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
• ▢ 3 tablespoon water
• ▢ 1 tablespoon oil
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon salt (I use Mortons iodized salt)
• ▢ red chili powder

Fish Ingredients

• ▢ 1½ lb white fish (catfish, tilapia, cod, halibut, etc)
• ▢ lemon wedge for garnishment.
• ▢ cilantro for garnishment

Instructions

Making the Fish Masala and Marinating the Fish

• Combine the fish masala ingredients and set the bowl aside.
• Add the patted dry fish filets to the bowl and try to cover them all with masala the best you can.
• Set it aside until you are ready to cook.
• Before cooking, keep the fish at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.

Stove Top Cooking Instructions

• Heat a pan on high heat. After it is heated through, spray a little oil on the pan and then lay the filets flat to cook making sure not to over crowd the pan.
• Let it cook for about 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat (depending on thickness). If you are unsure when to flip: My tip here is wait until the fish begins to change to a slight white color on the sides and towards the top edges. I only flip the fish one time.
• Flip each filet over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. SIDE NOTE: Cook the second side of the fish only half the time you cooked the first side.
• Remove filets from the pan, garnish with cilantro, and serve with a fresh lemon wedge.

Oven Cooking Method

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and place the oven rack at least two settings down from the top.
• Line the bottom of the crisper pan with parchment paper then place the crisper rack over it.
• One filet at time lay it on top trying not to overcrowd the pan.
• Cook the fish in the oven for about 15 minutes. Time will vary based on thickness of the fish. There is no flipping needed when using this method.
• Remove from the oven, garnish with cilantro, and serve warm.

A tender white flaky fish marinated with herbs and spices that is traditionally made in a Tandoori Oven. Spices like garlic, ginger, red chili powder, and a combination of masala make up the tandoori flavored base.

You bet! When using the right fish this recipe is perfect for Whole30, paleo, and keto diets.

An oven is made in many shapes and sizes, but normally a cylinder imitating the shape of a beehive.

A mixture of coriander powder, Kashmiri chili, garam masala, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and a few other spices make up the majority of the seasoning.

Using the spices listed marinate the fish and set it aside until ready to cook.

With the right kitchen, yes you can cook fish in a microwave. Look into buying a steamer that is made specifically to steam foods such as this Microwave Fish Gadget .

When you are ready to cook, lay the fish on an oven rack pan and spray some oil on top of the fish. Then bake for 15 minutes at 400.

I highly recommend a white flaky fish such as catfish, tilapia, halibut, or cod.

Wash with water and pat it dry before cooking.

Tandoori Fish Recipe- Oven Baked or Pan Seared

Ingredients

Fish Masala Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon fresh grated garlic
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (fresh preferred)
• 2 tablespoon dry coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon tandoori masala (I like Raja Brand)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
• 3 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• ¾ teaspoon salt (I use Mortons iodized salt)
• red chili powder

Fish Ingredients

• 1½ lb white fish (catfish, tilapia, cod, halibut, etc)
• lemon wedge for garnishment.
• cilantro for garnishment

Instructions

Making the Fish Masala and Marinating the Fish

• Combine the fish masala ingredients and set the bowl aside.
• Add the patted dry fish filets to the bowl and try to cover them all with masala the best you can.
• Set it aside until you are ready to cook.
• Before cooking, keep the fish at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.

Stove Top Cooking Instructions

• Heat a pan on high heat. After it is heated through, spray a little oil on the pan and then lay the filets flat to cook making sure not to over crowd the pan.
• Let it cook for about 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat (depending on thickness). If you are unsure when to flip: My tip here is wait until the fish begins to change to a slight white color on the sides and towards the top edges. I only flip the fish one time.
• Flip each filet over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. SIDE NOTE: Cook the second side of the fish only half the time you cooked the first side.
• Remove filets from the pan, garnish with cilantro, and serve with a fresh lemon wedge.

Oven Cooking Method

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and place the oven rack at least two settings down from the top.
• Line the bottom of the crisper pan with parchment paper then place the crisper rack over it.
• One filet at time lay it on top trying not to overcrowd the pan.
• Cook the fish in the oven for about 15 minutes. Time will vary based on thickness of the fish. There is no flipping needed when using this method.
• Remove from the oven, garnish with cilantro, and serve warm.

Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy

Chicken Kheema , aka Chicken Keema , is an Indian Ground Chicken Recipe

Want a versatile recipe? It doesn’t get better than this minced meat Indian recipe. It pairs well with tacos, dosa , pav/bread, or with warm naan.

Why You’ll Love It - Easy, meal-prep friendly, healthy, and tasty!

Have some leftover ground chicken? Give my holiday kebabs a try. They taste great when paired with papad and chutney just like my Papad Roll Recipe.

• Ingredients for Chicken Kheema
• How to Make Chicken Kheema
• Pair it with…
• Substitute
• Variations
• Top Tips
• More Chicken Recipes…
• 📖 Recipe
• FAQ
• Other Indian Recipes…
• History
• 💬 Community

Ingredients for Chicken Kheema

• beefsteak tomato
• onion
• ground chicken (minced meat)
• garam masala
• tomato paste
• oil
• salt
• red chili powder
• coriander powder
• turmeric powder
• fresh cilantro
• ginger
• garlic

How to Make Chicken Kheema

Saute onions until golden brown

Add the tomatoes once the onions have finished cooking.

Add the spices, garlic, ginger, and some cilantro. Mix and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

Add the ground chicken to the pot and begin to break it apart with the back of a spatula or a meat mincer.

Cook until all of the water has evaporated and you can see oil separation.

Expert Advice- I like to cook it uncovered and on medium/high heat the whole time.

Pair it with…

1. Dosa
2. Healthy Kheema Pizza
3. Kheema Samosa stuffed inside your favorite wrapper ( or try this for ease )
4. Kheema Tacos

Substitute

• Chicken - you can use ground turkey but be sure to add extra fat. I do this by adding butter and oil.
• Tomato - Feel free to use 12oz can of petite diced tomatoes for every 1 large beefsteak tomato.

Variations

• Vegetarian - Use paneer instead of ground chicken
• Matar - This recipe is sometimes made with peas or potatoes. Feel free to add either or to this recipe.

Top Tips

• Use a generous amount of oil from the beginning of the cooking process.
• Do not use a lid during the cooking process
• Add cilantro early on and on top of the dish for extra flavor

More Chicken Recipes…

1. Mint Chicken with Thai Basil and Minced Meat
2. Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
3. Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken

• Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
• Chicken Keema Tacos
• Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken
• Air Fried Frozen Chicken Nuggets

📖 Recipe

Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe

Ingredients1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 lb ground chicken
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ginger, fresh and grated
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic, fresh and minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ▢ 2 tablespoon coriander powder
• ▢ 1-2 tablespoon garam masala
• ▢ 1 large onion, finely chopped, grated, or food processed
• ▢ 1 large beefsteak tomato, finely chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ▢ ½ cup water (optional but can help mince the meat if that is the texture preferred)
• ▢ oil
• ▢ salt
• ▢ red chili powder
• ▢ chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Heat pan on medium heat and add oil. Once hot add finely chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
• Once the onions have slightly browned add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tomato paste, salt, coriander powder, some chopped cilantro (optional), and turmeric.
• Allow the mixture to cook for about 3-5 minutes. At this point you can use a hand blender and puree the mixture if you would like. Then add the chicken. SIDE NOTE: I like to mix the ground chicken to remove the “stringed” meat look before cooking.
• Add water (optional). Using a spatula or a ground meat masher, begin to mash and mix the chicken with the tomato and onion mixture. TIP : flatten/squeeze the meat at the bottom of the pan while mixing if you do not have a meat masher. This will prevent the meat from bulking into large clumps.
• Continue to mix frequently for an additional 7-10 minutes on medium heat.
• Once all of the natural water has evaporated, cook for a few additional minutes so that the oil shines through.
• Garnish with the rest of the cilantro and serve.
• Enjoy as a taco stuffing, with wraps, as is with naan, or on top of pizza.

Nutrition

The two words are the same but just spelled differently when translated to the english wording. Many dialects are present throughout India and some have a heavy pronunciation of the “H” where as others do not.

ou sure can, but there needs to be many changes to the recipe such as fats and water since turkey is a lot more dry.

My go to locations include Target, Whole Foods, or Trader Joes.

It doesn’t have a sweet flavor so it gives more flavor without the sweetness.

You can! Use your favorite kind :).

Other Indian Recipes…

• Gulab Jamun Cupcakes
• Sev Usal Recipe
• Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Paneer Makhani)
• Aloo Tikki Chaat with Easy Homemade Chutney

History

Growing up, my Dad made lamb or goat keema often, but I always chose the chicken alternative. It was a special dish because ground chicken was not always available where we lived. I remember he bought a meat grinder that was affixed to a tabletop when I was in grade school just to make recipes like this happen. Definitely appreciate his efforts for good food!