Chicken curry is a beloved dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with a rich, aromatic gravy made from a blend of spices, onions, tomatoes, and either yogurt or coconut milk. The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of spices and yogurt to enhance its flavor and tenderness before being slow-cooked in the flavorful sauce. The result is a warm, comforting meal with layers of taste, ranging from the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions to the heat of chili peppers and the earthy notes of cumin and coriander. Chicken curry is often garnished with fresh coriander leaves and served with rice, naan, or roti, making it a versatile and satisfying dish enjoyed by many around the world.
Chicken Curry Recipe
The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of spices and yogurt to enhance its flavor and tenderness before being slow-cooked in the flavorful sauce. The result is a warm, comforting meal with layers of taste, ranging from the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions to the heat of chili peppers and the earthy notes of cumin and coriander.
Ingredients
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with yogurt (or coconut milk), half of the ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Base
- Heat oil or ghee in a large pot. Add the whole spices (cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf, and cardamom) and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until golden brown.
- Stir in the remaining ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and the oil separates from the mixture.
Cook the Chicken
- Add cumin powder, coriander powder, and garam masala to the tomato-onion mixture. Stir well.
- Add the marinated chicken and mix thoroughly, cooking on medium heat until the chicken browns slightly.
- Pour in 2 cups of water, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 20-30 minutes.
- Adjust salt and water as needed for the desired gravy consistency.
Garnish and Serve
- Once the chicken is cooked, garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with rice, naan, or roti.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 5
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 520kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 23.5g37%
- Saturated Fat 3.2g16%
- Trans Fat 0.4g
- Cholesterol 158.4mg53%
- Sodium 156.2mg7%
- Potassium 799mg23%
- Total Carbohydrate 16.1g6%
- Dietary Fiber 3.2g13%
- Sugars 4.3g
- Protein 59.9g120%
- Calcium 83.5 mg
- Iron 4.3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Marination: Marinating the chicken helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. If you have time, marinate it for longer (up to 2 hours).
- Cooking Time: Bone-in chicken pieces take longer to cook than boneless. Keep this in mind while simmering.
- Spices: Adjust the level of spices according to your taste. You can add more green chilies or red chili powder for extra heat, or reduce them for a milder curry.
- Thickening the Gravy: For a thicker gravy, you can blend some of the onions and tomatoes into a smooth paste before cooking or add a few tablespoons of ground cashews or poppy seeds.
- Creamy Version: For a creamier curry, you can use coconut milk instead of yogurt or add a splash of cream at the end of cooking.