Best Chicken Curry Recipe Ever

Chicken curry is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine, and for good reason. It’s a delicious, aromatic, and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed with rice, bread, or salad. Chicken curry is also very versatile, as there are many regional variations of the dish across India, each with its own unique flavor and style.

I will show you how to make a simple and easy chicken curry recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends. This recipe uses a homemade spice blend that gives the curry a rich and complex taste, as well as coconut milk, tomatoes, and heavy cream for a creamy and smooth texture. You will also learn some tips and tricks on how to customize your chicken curry according to your preference and availability of ingredients.

Ingredients

To make this chicken curry recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of whole spices, such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves
• 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup of coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 inch of ginger, peeled and grated
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 2 cups of diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of heavy cream
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Spice Blend

The spice blend is the key to making a flavorful chicken curry. It consists of whole spices that are toasted and ground into a fine powder. Toasting the spices enhances their aroma and taste, while grinding them releases their oils and makes them easier to incorporate into the sauce.

To make the spice blend, follow these steps:

• Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat and add the whole spices. Toast them for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant and slightly darkened.
• Transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and grind them into a fine powder. You can also use a blender or a food processor, but be careful not to over-process them, as they can become too hot and lose their flavor.
• Store the spice blend in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to 6 months. You will need about 2 tablespoons of the spice blend for this recipe, and you can use the rest for other dishes.

Cooking Process

Now that you have your spice blend ready, you can start cooking the chicken curry. Here are the steps to follow:

1. In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and toss them with the coconut milk. Let them marinate for about 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and golden.
3. Add the chicken broth and the tomatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and the sauce is slightly reduced.
4. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your blender. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender and blend the mixture directly in the skillet.
5. Return the blended sauce to the skillet and bring it to a boil. Add the spice blend and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Add the chicken pieces and their marinade to the sauce and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook for another minute, until the sauce is thickened.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and turn off the heat. Garnish the chicken curry with cilantro and serve over rice.

Related Topic: What is Chicken Curry Sauce Made of?

Variations and Tips

This chicken curry recipe is very adaptable and can be modified according to your taste and availability of ingredients. Here are some suggestions:

• If you like your chicken curry spicy, you can add some red chili powder, cayenne pepper, or fresh green chilies to the spice blend or the sauce.
• If you prefer a more tangy chicken curry, you can add some lemon juice, yogurt, or tamarind paste to the sauce.
• If you want to make a vegan or dairy-free chicken curry, you can use tofu or chickpeas instead of chicken, and coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.
• If you don’t have access to whole spices, you can use pre-ground spices, but the flavor may not be as intense. You can also use a ready-made curry powder or paste, but make sure to check the ingredients and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
• If you want to try different regional variations of chicken curry, you can experiment with different ingredients and spices. For example, you can make a Jamaican curry chicken by adding some allspice, thyme, and curry leaves to the spice blend, and some potatoes, carrots, and peas to the sauce.

FAQs

How do you make chicken curry from scratch?

To make chicken curry from scratch, you need to make your own spice blend by toasting and grinding whole spices, such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Then, you need to cook the chicken in a sauce made of onion, garlic, ginger, broth, tomatoes, and the spice blend. You can also add some coconut milk, heavy cream, or yogurt to make the sauce creamier.

What is the best way to cook chicken for curry?

The best way to cook chicken for curry is to marinate it in some coconut milk, salt, and pepper for a few minutes, then simmer it in the curry sauce until tender. This way, the chicken absorbs the flavor of the sauce and stays moist and juicy.

What goes well with chicken curry?

Chicken curry goes well with rice, bread, or salad. You can also serve it with some side dishes, such as raita, chutney, pickle, or papadum.