Name: Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 8-12 Hawaiian rolls; 2 cups cooked tandoori chicken, shredded or sliced; 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/4 cup parsley, chopped; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Short, Catchy Intro

So you want something juicy, cheesy, and slightly scandalous for dinner but you also want to keep your dignity and not spend all night cooking. Good news. Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread delivers all the drama of tandoori spice with zero effort drama. Think warm Hawaiian rolls, garlicky butter, spicy cooked tandoori chicken and melty cheese that pulls like a dream. If that does not sound like the kind of food that fixes everything from bad days to questionable life choices I do not know what will.

I sometimes speed up garlic bread by using an air fryer garlic bread hack when I am feeling extra impatient. Try it if you are short on time but still want big flavor.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay so here are the reasons this little creation rules. First, it is fast. You stash premade or leftover cooked tandoori chicken on soft rolls, add garlic butter and cheese and bake. No eight hour marination, no drama, no tiny fiddly steps that make you question your life choices.

Second, it is crowd pleasing. People love cheese. People love garlic. People love tandoori spice. Put them together and you become instantly popular at dinner.

Third, it is flexible. Use leftover chicken, rotisserie bits, or that sad tandoori from the fridge and it still tastes amazing. This recipe forgives laziness with grace. Also it is idiot proof. I did not mess it up and I have been known to burn toast while reading texts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Hawaiian rolls, about 8 to 12 depending on size
Cooked tandoori chicken, shredded or sliced
Cheese, shredded mozzarella or cheddar work great
Garlic, minced fresh for best results
Butter, softened so you can spread it like a civilized person
Parsley, chopped for a fresh pop of color
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, freshly cracked if you feel fancy

If you are the type who likes clear grocery lists this one is refreshingly short. Softened butter and fresh garlic make a huge difference so do not skip that part unless you are trying to be punished.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Set a rack in the middle so everything bakes evenly. Preheating matters. Do not skip it.
Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half vertically. Keep them intact as a slab so you can build like an artist.
In a bowl combine softened butter minced garlic salt and pepper. Spread the garlic butter mixture on each half of the rolls. Be generous but not sloppy.
Place cooked tandoori chicken on top of the buttered rolls. Make sure the chicken covers most of the surface so every bite has spice.
Sprinkle cheese over the chicken. Go heavy if you are feeling extra indulgent. It melts better than your hopes but way tastier.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden. Watch the oven so things do not get too toasty.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Slice into individual pieces and hand them out before someone steals the good one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven rookie move. The cheese melts better when the oven is cooperating.
Using cold butter that does not spread. You will wrestle with a roll and lose. Soften the butter or microwaving for a few seconds helps.
Piling on raw chicken that has not been cooked first. This is not the time to test bravery. Use cooked tandoori chicken only.
Skimping on garlic because you are afraid of smelling like a vampire. Trust me garlic is a feature not a flaw.
Letting the rolls bake until they resemble charred offerings. Golden is the goal not crispy black. Watch the last few minutes.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Out of Hawaiian rolls No problem. Use dinner rolls naan or even thick sliced bread from the loaf. Each gives a different vibe. I like Hawaiian rolls for their slight sweetness but your pantry might disagree.

No tandoori chicken Try shredded roasted chicken tossed with a little tandoori paste or even tikka masala sauce. It will lean different but still yummy. You can also use cooked plain chicken with a sprinkle of garam masala if you are improvising.

Cheese swap Got mozzarella run out Use cheddar Monterey Jack or a mix. A sharper cheese adds personality while mozzarella gives that stretchy glory. IMO a mix of mozzarella and cheddar is the jackpot.

Butter alternatives Want to be weird You can use olive oil blended with garlic but butter gives the best mouthfeel. If you must use margarine it will work but your soul will notice.

Want to make it vegetarian Swap the chicken for spicy roasted cauliflower or paneer marinated in tandoori spices. Paneer melts and holds up nicely under cheese.

Also if you like a crispier edge try the cheddar garlic zucchini bread idea from my test kitchen when you want something with veg sneaking in.

FAQ

Q Why use Hawaiian rolls at all
A Because they are soft sweet and give a great contrast to spicy chicken. You can use other rolls but Hawaiian adds a lovely balance.

Q Can I use store bought tandoori chicken
A Yes please do. This is your life not an audition. Pre cooked store options make this recipe a quick miracle.

Q Can I use margarine instead of butter
A Well technically yes but why hurt your soul like that Replace with butter for best flavor.

Q How do I reheat leftovers without killing the texture
A Pop them into a 325°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes covered with foil to keep moisture then uncover for a minute to refresh the cheese.

Q Can I make these ahead of time and bake later
A Absolutely assemble then cover and chill for a few hours Bake straight from the fridge add a couple minutes to the baking time.

Q Want to make it spicy How
A Add extra red chili powder to the chicken or drizzle with a bit of hot sauce after baking. You are the boss.

Q Is there a vegan version
A Yes use vegan butter vegan cheese and swap chicken for marinated mushrooms cauliflower or tofu. Season boldly.

Final Thoughts

You just made something impressive without doing a full kitchen opera and that deserves applause. This Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread is the sort of recipe you can brag about without lying. Invite friends or hoard it for yourself either way it will vanish fast. Remember to use softened butter and give the cheese a chance to get golden. Small moments like that make big taste differences.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills You have earned it. Try variations tweak the cheese and test different breads until you find your signature move. Pizza who.

Conclusion

If you want a reference recipe to compare your results check this original take on Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread from Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread – BAKE WITH ZOHA. For a cheesier spin with tasty tips see Cheesy Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread – Masala and Chai. If you want ideas that swap chicken for different cheesy combos take a peek at Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread – Together to Eat – Family Meals. And if you are curious about a naan style version try this riff Tandoori Chicken Naan Buns – BAKE WITH ZOHA for more inspiration.