Whole Roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style)

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. Perfect to make even on busy weeknight dinners!

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. | manilaspoon.com

When I was pregnant for the first time 10 years ago with our eldest son, the main food I craved was roast chicken. I had a really bad “morning” sickness (of course, it could be any time of the day!) for the first 4 months or so and nothing seemed to calm my stomach and made me happier than roast chicken!

I don’t know why that was but I guess I should just be happy my cravings were not too “exotic” or hard to find!

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. | manilaspoon.com

I hadn’t made this roast Masala Chicken back then nor was I even acquainted with it but had I made this or known about this, I’d be pretty sure this would have been my main craving as this is just so tasty and hits all the right flavors I love in a chicken flavored with curry spices.

When I made this, hubby immediately told me that I have to make it again and several days after, I did to make sure it was really good. The second time around we were more than convinced. 🙂

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. | manilaspoon.com

The secret is the above spice rub or paste or mix —- whatever. The combination of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and turmeric just to name a few really brought out so much flavor in the chicken. And yet, it’s not really spicy at all – just flavorful.

I am sure you can add some heat there if you wish to but if not – it’s delicious as is. It’s so easy that all you need to do is mix all the spices and seasonings together, which fortunately are all available in any grocery store so there’s no difficulty at all in finding them, to create a rub.

Whole Roast Masala Chicken

Then, generously apply the spice blend all over the chicken and let it marinate for a bit (as little as 1-3 hours or more if you like) and then roast. In fact, the second time I made this I barely marinated it but it still came out yummy though letting it marinate longer, I am sure, would be even better.

The result is a super-tasty chicken with garlicky, crispy skin and really moist and tender meat as you can see below. Definitely, enjoy it with some Basmati rice, of course, and some greens on the side, too!

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. | manilaspoon.com

So deliciously good!

Want more chicken recipes? Check out these very popular chicken dishes!

CHICKEN ADOBO

CHICKEN INASAL

COCONUT CHICKEN STRIPS

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By: Manila Spoon
Published: 04/23/2016

Whole Roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style)

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR WHOLE ROAST MASALA CHICKEN?

  • 2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground Coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground Turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon powdered Garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup ground Almonds
  • 5 Tablespoons plain Yogurt
  • 3-4 lb roasting Chicken

HOW DO YOU MAKE WHOLE ROAST MASALA CHICKEN?

  1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except for the chicken. The mixture will look like a thick paste.
  2. Place the chicken in a roasting pan (with rack, if preferred). Generously rub the chicken all over with the spice mixture including under its skin (breasts portions) to get in more flavor. You can also place some of the spice mix into the cavities. Cover the chicken with foil and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow absorption of the spice rub.
  3. Take the chicken out of the fridge then preheat the oven to 400F. Tent the chicken loosely with a foil then roast in the oven for 1 hour. The foil cover helps prevent the chicken from getting too dark. Remove the foil after an hour and then continue to roast for another 20-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the inner thigh (without touching the bone) reaches 165F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the chicken is cooked when the juices run clear when pricked on the thigh.
  4. Serve immediately with some green veggies and freshly cooked rice! Enjoy!

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Cook time: 01 hrs. 20 mins.
Total time: 1 hrs. 30 mins.
Tags: India, Indian, Chicken, Roast, Asian, Masala

Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too. | manilaspoon.com
Whole Roast Masala Chicken

Whole Roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style)

Manila Spoon
Flavored with aromatic spices, this whole roast Masala Chicken (Indian-style) comes out so yummy! The skin is deliciously crisp and the meat is tender and moist. This roast is very easy and quick to prepare, too.
4.84 from 18 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian Cuisine, Indian cuisine
Servings 6
Calories 397 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tsp ground Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp ground Coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground Turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp ground Cloves
  • 1 tsp powdered Garlic
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup ground Almonds
  • 5 tbsp plain Yogurt
  • 3-4 lb roasting Chicken

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, mix all ingredients except for the chicken. The Mixture will look like a thick paste.
  • Place the chicken in a roasting pan (with rack, if preferred). Generously rub the chicken all over with the spice mixture including under its skin (breasts portions) to get in more flavor. You can also place some of the spice mix into the cavities. Cover the chicken with foil and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow absorption of the spice rub.
  • Take the chicken out of the fridge then preheat the oven to 400F. Tent the chicken loosely with a foil then roast in the oven for 1 hour. The foil cover helps prevent the chicken from getting too dark. Remove the foil after an hour and then continue to roast for another 20-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the inner thigh (without touching the bone) reaches 165F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the chicken is cooked when the juices run clear when pricked on the thigh.
  • Serve immediately with some green veggies and freshly cooked rice! Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 31gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 896mgPotassium: 359mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1415IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg
Keyword how to make Indian roast chicken, how to roast chicken with Indian spices, Indian masala chicken spices, masala spice ingredients, whole roast masala chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last updated on October 12th, 2023 at 12:22 pm

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54 Comments

  1. April 24, 2016 / 6:25 pm

    I'm always looking for new flavors to add to my chicken, this sounds wonderful.

  2. April 24, 2016 / 7:36 pm

    Your roasted chicken looks so delicious! Yogurt can help keep meat moist, so I know this is as delicious as it looks!

      • October 8, 2021 / 1:10 pm

        Can i make it in the airfryer?
        Time abs temperature?

        • abigail
          Author
          October 8, 2021 / 8:36 pm

          If the chicken fits, why not? I haven’t tried this in an air fryer. Check your air fryer’s manufacturer’s guide to see how long to roast a chicken and at what temperature to be safe and sure.

  3. April 24, 2016 / 8:59 pm

    Wow! I love the spice blend paste you made. I can't wait to try this recipe! Yummed and pinned!

  4. April 25, 2016 / 9:27 am

    It looks so crispy aoutside and tender inside! I wish I had a portion!

  5. April 25, 2016 / 3:27 pm

    This looks great. Like the perfect thing to serve for a nice family dinner. I think my Father in Law will love it!

  6. April 25, 2016 / 4:06 pm

    I roast a chicken at least once a week. So I will have many chances to try this lovely aromatic paste option. Sounds divine!

  7. April 25, 2016 / 9:02 pm

    What a gorgeous looking chicken, completely mouth watering!!

  8. April 26, 2016 / 11:22 am

    Dear Abigail, I love the sound of that marinade! What a gorgeous blend of spices and flavors…I can only imagine how delicious this must be! xo, Catherine

  9. April 28, 2016 / 2:35 am

    My husband would think he'd died and gone to Heaven if I made this for him. Looks so tasty.

  10. April 28, 2016 / 7:58 am

    you can't beat home made masala chicken, thank you I love it already xoxo

  11. April 29, 2016 / 12:56 pm

    This looks soooo good! I can't wait to try!

  12. June 1, 2016 / 9:13 pm

    Mine is already to go, but I am doing it on the BBQ, beer can style. Too hot to put the oven on today. It smells heavenly! ��
    Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  13. August 8, 2016 / 10:47 pm

    This was delicious! The marinade really permeated the whole chicken. My husband, who is really the chef in our house, loved it!

    • August 9, 2016 / 12:14 am

      I am so happy to know that you both enjoyed this! Certainly it has become a household favorite! Thanks for letting us know.

  14. January 6, 2017 / 4:46 pm

    Looks good, but why do you have 1/4 tsp of cloves twice?

    • January 6, 2017 / 4:54 pm

      Good eyes Isaac! Thanks for catching that! My eyes sometimes play with me. Anyway, it's all good and updated now. Thanks and hope you enjoy this!

  15. April 29, 2017 / 3:58 pm

    This is definitely THE best roast chicken EVER! Juicy, aromatic, fat free. Delicious! My youngest son almost ate the whole chicken! I had to grab enough for myself. My husband is veggie so not wasted on him! Thank you.

  16. November 4, 2017 / 7:46 am

    I’m trying this tonight. Hope it tastes as good as it looks.

    • abigail
      Author
      November 4, 2017 / 8:45 pm

      I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for trying! 🙂

  17. Danielle
    December 28, 2017 / 7:48 am

    Is almond flour the equivalent of your recipes ground almonds?

    • abigail
      Author
      December 28, 2017 / 8:49 am

      It’s the same and it’s also called almond meal.

    • abigail
      Author
      March 22, 2018 / 4:08 pm

      Glad you stopped by. Thank you Kanika!

  18. Kat Tedesco
    May 1, 2018 / 9:07 pm

    This was the best chicken I have ever made- hands down. Thanks so much!

  19. Jennifer
    May 2, 2018 / 1:55 pm

    Tried it! I didn’t have 1/4 cup ground Almonds or 5 Tablespoons plain Yogurt, so I omitted the Almonds and subtituted peach yogurt (the only flavored yogurt I had that would seem to meld with the spices). It came out beautifully — with the bonus of the house smelling like a spiced-peach dessert while roasting! I notice from the photo of the sliced meat that the spices are layered next to the meat? Did you separate the skin from the meat first to slather it with the spice mixture? If so, that’s a step I missed this time around. But we’ll be making this again soon!

    • Jennifer
      May 2, 2018 / 1:57 pm

      By subtituted I meant “substituted.” 😉

  20. Cynthia
    May 13, 2018 / 10:57 pm

    We made this as a Mother’s Day lunch entree today. She loved it and so did we. We were pleased by the flavor, but we were very surprised by the juiciness! Great recipe.

    • abigail
      Author
      May 14, 2018 / 9:44 am

      I am so happy to know this and that it became part of your Mother’s Day celebration!! Yay!!

  21. July 2, 2018 / 12:59 am

    This chicken was fantastic, I adjusted the seasoning a little to my own taste and multiplied it a few times, I was making it for a boat load to people, okay only 25 or so, but we were on a boat. Thanks for inspiration.

    • abigail
      Author
      July 2, 2018 / 8:08 am

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

  22. Elaine
    August 14, 2018 / 2:12 pm

    This looks wonderful! But I’ll roast it in my Air Fryer!

  23. September 10, 2018 / 7:33 pm

    Hi Abigail, I am allergic to nuts. Can the almonds be omitted in whole roast masala chicken or if not is there a nutless substitute that can be used?

    • abigail
      Author
      December 28, 2018 / 9:45 pm

      The almonds are essential but if you are allergic just leave it out. I cannot think right now of any nut substitute but it may still work without it. Let us know.

  24. Rachel
    October 16, 2018 / 12:39 pm

    I’ve just made this with spicy potatoes, garlic green beans, raita, home made chutneys and naan. What a feast

  25. Mary Clegg
    November 30, 2018 / 9:33 am

    Just put the chicken in the fridge with all the spices to marinate. I’ll update you tonight on the final outcome. I’m looking forward to tasting this masterpiece!!!

  26. Mary
    November 30, 2018 / 5:44 pm

    Here it is put of the oven…looks pretty good for my first attempt!

  27. Pooja Deveau
    December 22, 2018 / 1:26 pm

    Do you add water or broth in the pan? Can’t wait to make this.
    Thanks

    • abigail
      Author
      December 22, 2018 / 11:26 pm

      No. The instruction is as is. If you do try that then let us know if it works better. Thanks. Enjoy.

  28. Lorna Cabot
    January 18, 2020 / 1:13 am

    Thanks for sharing. Loved it and will definitely do it again

    • abigail
      Author
      January 19, 2020 / 10:20 am

      So good to know that! Thanks for letting us know!

  29. Rakel
    November 23, 2020 / 4:29 am

    I made this last night, marinated first over night and this was super tasty and I will be making this again, might try it with chicken pieces too. I was nervous because my kids say they don´t like Indian food (are they even mine?) but I didn´t tell them that the marinade was Indian and they had seconds. Had rice with it, naan bread, some kind of indian onion-potato platters and I made a white garlic/lemon dipping sauce, it was like heaven on a plate, so I want to say thank you for sharing this fantastic recepi, it´s a keeper for sure 🙂

    • abigail
      Author
      November 23, 2020 / 9:13 am

      Yay! So glad to know this Rakel! Thanks for letting us know.

  30. December 30, 2020 / 12:31 am

    Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.

    • abigail
      Author
      December 30, 2020 / 12:36 pm

      So glad to know this. Thanks for letting us know.

  31. Adrienne Susanne Winterhelt
    February 3, 2021 / 2:10 pm

    Awesome. My whole family raved about the flavour. I used a rack that holds the bird as if it was a beer can. She turned out beautifully moist, delicious, and crispy. I would never have thought of using almond flour but it was perfect. I can see many more variations of this recipe in our future.

    • abigail
      Author
      February 3, 2021 / 2:28 pm

      Yay! So glad you all enjoyed this. Thanks for letting us know.

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