Make Restaurant Style Chicken Curry At Home With This Simple Guide

Chicken curry involves marinating chicken, creating a flavorful base with onions, garlic, and spices, then simmering the chicken until tender. Garam masala is added for extra depth, and the dish is garnished with coriander. It pairs well with rice or bread.

Chicken curry is made by marinating chicken in yogurt and spices like turmeric and red chili powder. The base of the curry is prepared by sautéing onions, garlic, ginger, and whole spices like cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. Tomatoes are added to the mix, followed by powdered spices like coriander and cumin. The marinated chicken is then browned in the masala and simmered with water until tender. Garam masala is added for the final flavor kick, and the curry is garnished with fresh coriander. It is served hot with rice or flatbreads like naan or roti.

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken (bone-in or boneless, cut into pieces)
• 2 large onions (finely chopped)
• 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (whisked)
• 4-5 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1-inch piece ginger (grated or minced)
• 2-3 green chilies (slit)
• 3 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 3-4 cloves
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)
• Water (as needed)

Steps to Make Chicken Curry:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

• In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, and yogurt.
• Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours (the longer, the better).

Step 2: Prepare the Base

• Heat oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat.
• Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods. Stir for about 30 seconds until they start to release their aroma.
• Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown, stirring occasionally. This process may take about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Add Ginger, Garlic, and Tomatoes

• Once the onions are golden brown, add the minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
• Add the pureed tomatoes, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the mixture.

Step 4: Add Spices and Cook the Chicken

• Stir in the remaining turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder.
• Add the marinated chicken to the pot. Mix well so that the chicken is coated with the spices.
• Cook the chicken on medium-high heat for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown.

Step 5: Add Water and Simmer

• Add enough water to cover the chicken (around 1 to 1.5 cups) depending on how thick you want the curry.
• Stir everything together, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 6: Finish with Garam Masala and Garnish

• Once the chicken is cooked, stir in garam masala and adjust salt to taste. Let the curry simmer for another 5 minutes to let the flavors blend.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the chicken curry with steamed rice, naan, roti, or paratha for a complete meal. Add a side of raita or a salad to complement the flavors.

This recipe creates a flavorful, rich chicken curry with a well-balanced mix of spices.