How To Cook The Best Chicken Curry

Are you a fan of Indian culinary cuisine with a twist? Do you love food with lots of big flavors? If yes, you are on the right track. 

In this blog, you will know how to make an easy chicken curry with a touch of Filipino flavors. You can recreate this easy and quick chicken curry recipe just like what you eat from an Indian restaurant in the comfort of your home.  

You can indulge in big, bold flavors as you dive into this article to create a quick and easy chicken curry recipe. So let’s go and learn how to cook the best chicken curry recipe!

What is Chicken Curry?

Chicken curry is a famous chicken dish not only in Indian cuisine but also here in the Philippines. Its spectacular and explosive amount of flavor catches the heart of many Filipinos. 

It is a dish that originates from the subcontinent of India. The ingredients of making this easy chicken curry include chicken stewed sauce which based is on an onion- and tomato paste. And flavor with varieties of spices to make this amazing chicken curry recipe.  Also, chicken curry is often used as a pre-made mixture of different spices known as curry powder.

You can smell the great and fresh aromatic herbs of the authentic Indian curry spices whirling all over your kitchen even my husband would smell the great flavor of an easy chicken curry dish.  

What is Chicken Curry sauce made of?

This easy chicken curry sauce recipe is made of curry powder which contains onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala). Some curry powders added some cayenne pepper and tomato which is rich in vitamin C. You can also add red bell pepper, salt or kosher salt and black pepper

Most wet Indian curries contain incredible amounts of ingredients including dairy cream that is low in saturated fat or yogurt (strained or greek yogurt), broth (particularly chicken broth), legume purée, coconut cream or coconut milk,  and sautéed onion, or tomato paste.

Ways to cook

Cooking curry is easy. Most especially when you know the ways or methods to cook chicken curry. For your comfort, here are several ways to cook this dish. 

Instant Pot

The first method is cooking in an instant pot. It helps you to cook chicken pieces such as chicken thighs and breasts. You can start by marinating the chicken (chicken breasts and chicken thighs) with seasonings and spices. Heat oil up in the Instant Pot for at least 1 minute over medium-high heat set on the instant pot.

When the oil or olive oil is hot, start to sear the chicken until golden brown or the chicken is cooked. Then start adding the coconut milk or cream, low chicken stock, cinnamon stick, star anise, and lime leaves. You can add garlic and ginger. Cook stirring occasionally on medium-high heat pressure for about 10 minutes. And when the cooking time is already done quick release it to reduce the liquid or to slightly thicken the sauce.  

Stovetop

Stovetop cooking is the best way to cook curry chicken since you can see it while you are cooking it. In a large skillet, start frying chicken breasts and chicken thighs or other chicken pieces cut until golden brown. 

On the same skillet or pan, use the heating oil or olive oil to saute the ingredients on medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and ginger, and add the curry powder and other ingredients low sodium chicken broth, cinnamon stick, coconut milk, star anise, and lime leaves. Once you already cooking the easy chicken curry sauce, you can add the chicken and wait until it is completely cooked. 

Crockpot

Cooking easy chicken curry in a crockpot is easy but unlike the stovetop method, the moisture can evaporate and avoid the curry to be watery, but in a crockpot, it doesn’t evaporate. On the other hand, you do not need to add more water just to have a great amount of sauce. 

After marinating the chicken with spices like salt and ground black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional), and other spices. On medium heat least 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan, add chicken and start searing it until golden brown. Then, put it in the crockpot. Add curry powder and other ingredients low sodium chicken broth, cinnamon stick, coconut milk, star anise, add garlic and ginger, and lime leaves. You can cook it on low to medium for 4 to 5 hours. Stirring occasionally is important.

Variations 

Curry is not currying without variations or other versions. So here are some of the famous easy chicken curry recipes that you can find and try to cook for your lunch or dinner tonight!

Baked Chicken Curry Recipe

This version of cooking is quite easy when you know how to use the oven. First, you have to set the oven to preheat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Prepared a baking dish and grease it. Put chicken and make sure that the skin of the protein is side down. Then, instead of using olive oil or other types of oil, melt butter and use it to add it to the chicken. In a separate bowl, combine along with curry powder lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix it well. Gently brush or baste the chicken with the curry sauce on each side until the chicken is cooked through. This version will definitely get 5 stars!

Dhaba Style Chicken Curry

This variety is one of the unique versions of easy chicken curry since it uses more butter, ghee, and oil so it can add more richness and bold flavors to the chicken pieces. It also helps to cook faster and help to bring out the natural smoky flavor. It is cooked through firewood or high flame. 

To cook this, the chicken breasts or chicken thighs have been marinated with ginger garlic paste, lemon or lime juice, a pinch of salt, 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, and half a teaspoon of garam masala powder mix everything in a large bowl. Then, add chicken (already seared) and put greek yogurt, and other spices and let it sit to cook for a few minutes. 

The flavors are suitable to serve with basmati rice, cauliflower rice, or plain rice. 

This variation will definitely get 5 stars!

Chicken Curry with Potato Recipe

Chicken curry with potato is one of the easiest recipes or versions to cook since, the process is the same with other curries but this time, you have to pan-fry the potatoes until lightly brown before adding them to the stew or curry sauce so you can keep them from falling apart. Once cooked top it with chopped cilantro or fresh parsley. This will hit 5 stars!

Chicken and Butternut Squash Curry

Cooking this variation of curry is phenomenal especially when you are a butternut squash fan! Instead of potatoes and carrots that you have to pan-fry, this one will make you marinate chopped butternut squash with spices like curry powder, turmeric, and chili powder. 

Saute garlic and ginger and sear the chicken until golden brown.

In a bowl, to give a spice blend, add the curry powder or red curry paste, tomato paste, honey, tomatoes, peanut butter, and butternut squash. 

Simmer the curry sauce until the butternut squash is soft for about 30 minutes, then squish it into the curry butternut squash to add more butternut squash taste. 

It will be good to serve with basmati rice, cauliflower rice, or plain rice. You can get 5 stars from your loved ones!

Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Cooking this dish is quick and easy. You will start to heat olive oil under low medium heat and sauté onions, and garlic ginger. Once sauteed, you can add curry powder and add chicken. Seasoned it with fish sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Then, you can now add coconut milk. Stirring occasionally to avoid it being burnt in the coconut curry sauce. 

Add carrots, bell peppers, and potatoes. Then, simmer for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Transfer it to the plate and serve hot!

Troubleshooting

When you are finished cooking curry chicken, instead of adding fish sauce which is already much saltier, you can add a pinch of salt for the final taste test since the dish is already reduced. You can now check if the curry is salty or not. 

If you want to thicken the sauce slightly, you can add coconut milk and cornstarch slurry.

If you want your curry to have a great amount of sauce after putting coconut milk or cream, Add just a small amount of water to your curry. 

Trivia

Did you know that chicken is considered a meat that has lower saturated fat and concentrations of cholesterol than red meats? Yes, as chicken has less fatty acid than red meats. 

Curry powders used in this dish have great health benefits which are best for you. It supports heart and digestive system health and controls blood sugar. It is also a pre-made spice mixture for a spice blend that is first sold and exported to Great Britain by Indian merchants along with spices like garam masala and many more. 

There are tons of curry sauces and chicken curry dishes in the whole world including the original version of curry and recipe developer- the Indians. Indian curries version which is heavier and slightly thickened by the spices added to it,  Chinese curry which is lighter than the Indian version, etc.  But the most popular one is the Filipino version of chicken curry which is the lightest version of curry. 

In the Philippines, instead of pairing it with salad or bread, it will serve with rice (basmati rice, cauliflower, or plain)

And also, did you know that you can adjust the level of spice of the curry dishes? Yes, you read it right. You can adjust the spice level based on your preference for spiciness. To reach the fresh aromatics and spice blend on your tastebuds, you can add more cayenne pepper, chilies, or even garam masala. 

Best Served With

Indian cuisine would never be served alone. It is best to serve with other side dishes so they will come out with an incredible flavor. Here are a few of the side dishes to be served with curry: 

Bread

Bread and curry are one of the best partner dishes to serve. The bread gives highlights the bold and aromatic flavors of the curry. Much better to serve with gluten-free bread. You can simply tear the bread and dip it in the curry sauce. 

Rice

If you like a hard meal with this exceptional dish, rice is the best for you. Whether basmati rice, cauliflower, white rice, or plain rice, you can never go wrong to eat curry with rice because it helps the curry to incorporate its great spices and taste. 

Salads

If you are a light meal eater or on a diet, salad with different vegetables especially green leafy even green beans (can be frozen peas and beans) is suitable to pop out the superb and succulent taste of the dish. 

Substitution

You can use coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk in cans sold in supermarkets if fresh coconut milk is not available. In some varieties or versions of chicken curry add evaporated milk aside from the coconut cream/milk.  But of course, there is a difference in taste and freshness if you use fresh coconut milk than in can milk. You can also add source cream

If you are on a diet and yet you want to try to cook this curry, you can use gluten-free milk and yogurt. You should have checked the nutrition calories of it before putting it into the dish.  

Usually, potatoes, bell peppers, garlic and ginger, and carrots are added to the dish. But if you are a green vegetable lover, you can add green leafy vegetables or even green beans (can be frozen peas and beans). You can also top it with freshly chopped cilantro or fresh parsley. 

Equipment 

Cooking curry needs equipment. You can use a crockpot or slow cooker, frying pan, skillet, instant pot, electric stove/ gas stove, bowl, tongs, spoon and fork, plates, and ladle. 

Storage

Storage is important when you are cooking dishes with sauce or gravy, so in this part of the blog, there are tips provided on how you can store the curry chicken dish. 

You can use an airtight container and store it in your freezer or fridge. It will 2-3 days if refrigerated. 

Avoid putting warm food in the fridge, make sure that the curry chicken dish is come down a room temperature before putting it in the fridge.

Conclusion

At this point, required fields are marked when you cook this dish to bullseye Indian-inspired dish. Hoping that this recipe blog helps you to recreate the easy and quick curry recipe that you’d like.  You do not need to go to an Indian restaurant just to have chicken curry, you can cook it and serve it with your family. Even my husband would love it as there is a touch of Filipino flavors on this dish. Cook and share this easy chicken curry dish, then serve it hot for your dinner tonight. And surely your loved ones will give you 5 stars as they taste this wonderful dish.  Thank you so much!

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