Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (2024)

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This Indian Chicken Curry Recipe is packed to the brim with flavor. Perfect for a no-fuss dinner anytime, it’s ready in less than an hour and so easy to throw together. Everyone will be asking for seconds, it’s so delicious!

Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (1)

The ultimate comfort food, this Indian Chicken Curry recipe is rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. Ready in less than an hour, it’s so easy to throw together and what’s more, it’s really good for you too!

Table of Contents

It’s loaded with onion, garlic, turmeric, curry powder, coconut milk, and tomato paste to bring the flavor up to the next level. It has so much flavor for so little effort! Feel free to toss in some extra veggies as well. This is a great way to clear out a couple of veggies from the fridge!

Why you will love this Indian Chicken Curry recipe

  • It’s easy! This authentic Chicken Curry Recipe just takes a few minutes to prep, and then all you have to do is simmer it for 20 minutes. It’s so simple and ready in less than an hour!
  • Healthier than takeout: Takeout food is usually loaded with extra oils and ingredients that are unnecessary. This chicken curry tastes even better than the restaurant version, and it’s good for you.
  • Amazing flavor: Loaded with onion, garlic, turmeric, curry powder, coconut milk, and fresh cilantro, this recipe is a powerhouse of flavor!
  • Meal prep: This is a great recipe to make and save for later in either the fridge or freezer. Perfect for work lunches or a no-fuss dinner later in the week.
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Ingredients For this Indian Chicken Curry Recipe

For the chicken:

  • Chicken: To keep it lean and light, I added chicken breasts this time, however, boneless skinless chicken thighs would be delicious as well.
  • Chili powder: A kick of heat is provided by chili powder. If you like it spicy, add another 1/2-1 teaspoon.
  • Turmeric: The gorgeous golden color of this Indian Chicken Curry Recipe comes from turmeric. It is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient. So good for you!
  • Olive oil: This keeps the chicken from sticking to the pot when frying it.

For the curry:

  • Olive oil: We add this in to sauté the vegetables, and keep them from sticking to the pot.
  • Onion & garlic: One of my favorite flavor duos, onion and garlic is a must in Indian cuisine! Fresh is best, the powdered forms just don’t have as much flavor to me.
  • Tomato paste: Amps up the curry sauce flavor and makes it even more robust.
  • Curry powder:
  • Coconut milk: Rich and creamy coconut milk is the main base ingredient for the curry sauce. It is slightly nutty and addictively good!
  • Cilantro: I love to add chopped cilantro to all of my curries at the end for a little hint of freshness.
  • Lemon wedges: A squeeze of fresh lemon balances all of the other flavors perfectly.
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How do you make Indian chicken curry?

1. In a medium bowl combine chicken pieces with chili powder, salt, and turmeric powder. Coat them well.

2. Heat a 4 qt dutch oven on a medium flame; add olive oil followed by chicken and sear them for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set it aside.

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3. Add the remaining oil to the same pot and add the onion and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes until the onions turn translucent.

4. Add in the tomato paste, curry powder, and salt. Saute for a couple of minutes and stir in the coconut milk.

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5. Once the curry starts bubbling add the chicken back to the pot and allow the curry to simmer for 15-20 minutes on a low flame.

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6. Once the chicken is cooked through, add in the chopped cilantro and turn off the flame.

7. Serve the chicken curry with a bowl of rice to enjoy!

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Tips for success

  • This Indian Chicken Curry Recipe is keto-friendly so try serving it over plain cauliflower rice or Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice to keep it low carb.
  • Instead of serving it over rice, try stuffing this curry into sweet potatoes for an extra boost of nutrition.
  • Add in extra veggies! Curries are a good way to make sure there are more vegetables on your plate. Some great options are potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cauliflower, and carrots.
  • Save it for later! This easy chicken curry recipe can be saved in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely and reheat it in a pot on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave until it’s piping hot.
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Frequently asked questions

What’s the secret to a good curry?

My top tip for making the best curry is to use fresh herbs and spices as much as possible! They are so much more flavorful and fragrant than dried. You can really tell the difference.

Should you cover curry when cooking?

It depends on the method of cooking and how much liquid you add, but for a quick stovetop curry like this Indian Chicken Curry Recipe, I don’t cover the curry so that the curry sauce intensifies and thickens up.

Do you cook chicken before adding it to curry?

Yes, you just sear it for a few minutes in the beginning, and then later when all of the ingredients for the curry sauce have been added to the pot, add the chicken back in and simmer it until it has cooked through. I love this method because the chicken takes on so much of the flavor and stays tender and juicy. It’s delicious!

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More Curries to try

  • Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Thai Green Chicken Curry
  • Shrimp Curry
  • Chickpea Butternut Squash Curry
  • Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Curry Sauce
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more recipes to check out

  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Berries Baked Oatmeal
  • Chicken Carbonara Pasta
  • Jerk Chicken Recipe
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Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (16)

Chicken Curry Recipe

This Indian Chicken Curry Recipe is packed to the brim with flavor. Perfect for a no-fuss dinner anytime, it's ready in less than an hour and so easy to throw together.

5 from 30 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Hindu

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 504kcal

Author: Rena

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1 ½ lb chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the curry:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 ½ tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 13.5 oz coconut milk one can
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
  • Lemon wedges to garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl combine chicken pieces with chili powder, salt, and turmeric powder. Coat them well.

  • Heat a 4 qt dutch oven on a medium flame; add olive oil followed by chicken and sear them for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set it aside.

  • Add the remaining oil to the same pot and add the onion and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes until the onions turn translucent.

  • Add in the tomato paste, curry powder, and salt. Saute for a couple of minutes and stir in the coconut milk.

  • Once the curry starts bubbling add the chicken back to the pot and allow the curry to simmer for 15-20 minutes on a low flame.

  • Once the chicken is cooked through, add in the chopped cilantro and turn off the flame.

  • Serve the chicken curry with a bowl of rice to enjoy!

Notes

  • This Indian Chicken Curry Recipe is keto-friendly so try serving it over plain cauliflower rice or Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice to keep it low carb.
  • Instead of serving it over rice, try stuffing this curry into sweet potatoes for an extra boost of nutrition.
  • Add in extra veggies! Curries are a good way to make sure there are more vegetables on your plate. Some great options are potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cauliflower, and carrots.
  • Save it for later! This easy chicken curry recipe can be saved in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely and reheat it in a pot on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave until it’s piping hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1447mg | Potassium: 1016mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 351IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 5mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @HealthyFitnessMeals or tag #HealthyFitnessMeals!

Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (17)

Related Posts

  • Tandoori Chicken Recipe

  • Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

  • Thai Green Chicken Curry

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimberly says

    Would coconut cream be okay?

    Reply

    • Rena Awada says

      Yes. If it is too thick, you can loosen it up a bit with some water

      Reply

  2. V D says

    The dish is not hindu. Hindus don’t eat meat.

    Reply

  3. Erin says

    Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (21)
    Came out perfectly! Delish – five stars!

    Reply

Leave A Reply

Indian Chicken Curry Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in Indian curry? ›

It's the ringer that makes so many Indian dishes exceptional. It's a flavor that you can't pinpoint in a dish or even fully explain but that lingers on your taste buds long after all the other spices. Once you start cooking with asafoetida, every Indian dish you eat without it will taste like it's missing something.

What is the secret to the best Indian curry? ›

Tips for the Perfect Curry
  • Use fresh spices. For the best results, always try to use fresh spices. ...
  • Give the spices a toast. ...
  • Wrap up your whole spices. ...
  • Blitz your tomatoes. ...
  • Onions are the key. ...
  • Don't overcook your chicken. ...
  • Keep your garlic and ginger fresh. ...
  • Add exciting toppings.

How to make chicken curry taste better? ›

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

How to make Indian curry more creamy? ›

How to Thicken Curry
  1. Add dairy. Many curry sauces have a creamy texture, so try adding more dairy—like Greek yogurt, heavy cream, or a thick non-dairy ingredient like coconut cream—to thicken a watery curry sauce.
  2. Add ground nuts. ...
  3. Add lentils. ...
  4. Add peanut butter. ...
  5. Add a tomato product. ...
  6. Start with a roux. ...
  7. Use a slurry.
Jan 20, 2022

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

What makes Indian curry taste authentic? ›

The traditional method of using spices in curries is to make a 'tarka', or pan fry spices in oil. The heat releases the flavors and infuses them in the oil, which is then poured over the main ingredients. This process also mellows out some of the harsh tones of raw spice mixes.

What is the tastiest Indian curry? ›

10 Best Curries to Try
  • Goan. This dish is a combination of spices and flavors that are unique to the region of Goa in India. ...
  • Dhansak. Dhansak Curry is a popular Indian dish that originated in the state of Maharashtra in India. ...
  • Rajma Masala. ...
  • Bhuna Gosht. ...
  • Kerala. ...
  • Massaman. ...
  • Thai Red Curry. ...
  • Thai Green Curry.
Dec 20, 2022

What is the most important spice in curry? ›

Fenugreek (Methi)

This Indian spice is what people say "smells like curry." Of all Indian spices, this spice may be the most essential. You may use up to a few tablespoons in a family size dish near the end of the cooking process, but start with a teaspoon. Fenugreek seeds also have many health benefits.

Are red or white onions better in Indian curry? ›

Indian Cooking

These form the basis of most Indian sauces and in India onions tend to have a slightly pink tinge in colour and are lighter in flavour. For my cooking I always use brown onions and Indian cooking is all about creating a great masala base which is why the onions are so important.

Why is my chicken curry not tasty? ›

The answer is definitely a lack of salt. Particularly if you're new to cooking or new to cooking dishes like curries and stews, you might not be accustomed to the amount of salt you need to add to your food to bring out the flavor of the dish.

How much turmeric to add to curry? ›

Turmeric: For a standard-sized chicken curry recipe that serves around 4-6 people, you can use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Turmeric not only adds flavor but also gives the curry a nice yellow color.

What is the secret of Indian curry? ›

Garlic and ginger are maybe the most-loved ingredients in Indian cuisine. The combination of these two fragrant elements produce an aroma that is an integral part of the many Indian curry sauces, and adds a gorgeous depth and complexity to most of Indian cooking.

How to improve Indian curry? ›

Sizzle your spice:

Kick off your curry by heating whole spices in hot oil to unleash their flavor. Choose from cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and seeds for the perfect base to your dish. Fresh spices are the best choice and will keep for longer in the freezer.

Does coconut cream thicken curry? ›

Coconut milk or cream:

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

What is the most important ingredient in curry? ›

The most common ingredient in curry dishes is garlic. Onion, cilantro, tomatoes, vegetable oil, fresh ginger root, white sugar, coconut milk and chicken stock are also common ingredients in curry recipes. For herbs and spices, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne pepper are popular.

How do you make curry taste like a restaurant? ›

Simple suggestions for restaurant good quality curries:
  1. Fry your onions till they are golden brown.
  2. Fry your spices but don't burn them. ...
  3. Use good quality spices. ...
  4. Seasoning. ...
  5. Use fatty yoghurt (greek style works) in curries to make them richer. ...
  6. Patience. ...
  7. Use a neutral vegetable oil. ...
  8. Experiment.
Jun 25, 2018

What is the Indian spice mixture used in curry? ›

India's most famous seasoning is Garam masala. It's actually a combination of dried spices including pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, coriander, tej patta, pepper, and some others. It is the used in many dishes, including Chana Masala.

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