Super easy chicken curry packed with flavor and cooked in no time from scratch!
What’s for dinner? Chicken Curry! Forget jarred sauces….this recipe has a 5 star homemade sauce! A creamy, aromatic, coconut curry sauce made with minimal ingredients simmers around tender chicken pieces. You’ll be surprised at how GOOD this curry is!
Turn it into a spectacular dinner and serve it with our super soft naan bread to mop up that sauce!
CHICKEN CURRY
A good chicken curry recipe usually involves either: making a curry paste from scratch, OR a long ingredients list like this amazing Tikka Masala. So, we came up with a recipe/solution to give you that Curry hit you’ve been craving for in an easier way.
This may NOT be an authentic Indian curry, BUT it does give you a satisfying hit of flavor and spices, AND it may just tick all of your curry craving boxes:
- No need to marinate chicken ✔️
- Shorter ingredients list without impacting flavors ✔️
- The option of using curry powder instead of SOME of the spices if that’s all you have on hand ✔️
- Fragrant coconut milk adds even MORE flavor ✔️
- Ready in less than 30 minutes. YES! It CAN be done! ✔️✔️✔️
WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN A CURRY?
All you need is love and the following ingredients:
- CHICKEN thighs OR breast pieces. I suggest using thighs as dark meat works better in this sauce and provides a richer flavor. If using breast, simply simmer for a shorter amount of time.
- FRESH AROMATICS: Garlic, ginger and onion start it off in the right direction.
- SPICES make a curry a curry, yes? For this reason, we do still recommend the main spices that give curry the best delicious taste, which are garam masala and ground cumin. Tumeric and others CAN be replaced with mild curry powder that may be hiding out at the back of your kitchen pantry.
- COCONUT MILK OR CREAM gives you the best cream sauce. You an substitute with heavy or thickened cream if that’s what you have!
- FRESH HERB like chopped cilantro to garnish at the end. Substitute with fresh parsley if you prefer.
HOW TO MAKE CURRY CHICKEN
FIRST, you’re going to toss the chicken pieces in a couple of spices. We may be making life easier, but you STILL WANT a great curry and it all starts here!
Once the chicken is fried, add in the spices and/or curry powder to release epic flavors before adding anything else. This step is essential for a great curry sauce. Plus, you get the bonus of browned bits frying onto the bottom of your pan. Browned bits = flavor!
LASTLY, add in your tomato puree (I always use Passata) and coconut milk or cream. Taste test and adjust seasonings to suit your palate if you need too! THAT’S IT!
Serve over plain rice OR garlic butter rice!
WHAT DOES CURRY CHICKEN TASTE LIKE?
Heaven! With all of the fresh aromatics, spices and optional brown sugar, curry has a unique rich and earthy flavor. Adjust the level of heat by adding more or less chili or curry powder.
HOW DO YOU THICKEN A CURRY?
You may find that you don’t need to thicken the curry sauce in this recipe as the combination of coconut milk/cream with tomato puree thickens it for you. For a thicker curry, however, you can either add in a couple tablespoons of tomato paste, OR a cornstarch slurry. Dissolve two teaspoons of cornstarch into one tablespoon of cold water. Stir the slurry into the sauce and let it simmer until the sauce thickens. It won’t take very long at all.
EASY CHICKEN CURRY
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 21 oz. chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric, (or curry powder)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, or curry powder
- 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to your taste preference
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 13.5 fl oz can coconut milk, or coconut cream
- Freshly chopped cilantro, to garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with 2 tablespoons of the oil and spices to evenly coat.
- Heat remaining oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in batches until browned, about 3-4 minutes each side. Set aside and keep warm. (The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce.)
- Melt the butter in the same pan. Fry onion until soft (about 3 minutes), scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Add garlic and ginger; sauté until fragrant, about for 1 minute. Add in garam masala, cumin, ground coriander and turmeric (or curry powder). Cook stirring occasionally until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Add crushed tomatoes, chili powder, salt and sugar. Let simmer until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk/cream. Add chicken and juices back into the pan. Let simmer until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick, about 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh garlic butter rice and homemade naan bread.
Valerie says
We really enjoyed this recipe. I added a bit extra garam masala.
Sharon says
Very easy to cook. Very very tasty! Thank you
Tertius says
Can I add chilies like Habanero into the mix or what chili would you suggest?
Andrea says
I’ve made this recipe tons of times, and each time I make it more friends show up so I’ve had to double and triple the recipe. My boyfriend who is not very adventurous in some foods even asks when I’m going to make it again!
I double the chili in the sauce and it is perfect!
Sarah says
I had to cook this over a camping gas ring and it turned out perfect
Jan says
Better than any Indian takeaway
Eileen mcgreavie says
Fantastic tasting curry easy to make
Martin. says
This curry is a new regular in our house. Tried many curry recipes but this one by far the best. Love it and so easy and quick.
Kasia says
Absolutely delicious! Probably one of the best curry recipes I’ve ever tried. Thank you, this one goes to my binder of favs 😍
mushreefa says
it is an amazing receipe.All the family liked it, thanks a lot.
Loni says
I used allspice in place of the garam masala, added a couple of bay leaves in the last step. Turned out PERFECT!!!
Gina says
It’s delicious. But, What spice should I add to kick up the heat/ spice to a vindaloo state? First time trying to cook Indian cuisine .
Regina says
Tasted like our favorite restaurant, so we were all very happy.
Misty says
Used this recipe to teach my 15 year old about spice. It was a hit!
Gloria Jean says
I do not like currys – but LOVED this one! Making it again tonight 🙂
Vanessa Salcedo says
This was sooooo good
Kellie says
A delicious curry sauce with so much flavour! Quick and easy recipe. I added some carrots, beans and baby spinach. Pumpkin would be a great addition too. Will definitely be keeping this one! Everyone loved it! Highly recommended!
Mon says
This one of the best curry recipes I have ever tried and so easy
Anita says
my husband claims is best curry he had, you won’t even get it in Indian restaurant. lol.
Thank you it was a nice meal, kids liked it too.
Elaine says
This was packed with flavor! I was looking for an easy recipe bringing all these wonderful spices together especially the Tumeric which is a anti-inflammatory.
It makes a lot and the boneless, skinless thighs help spread your $. Made it twice now and my husband and I love it!❤️
A South Indian says
This tastes almost like my mother’s!! I don’t think the liquid from the can of crushed tomatoes was necessary as the coconut milk provided plenty of liquid. I’d leave it out next time. Perfect level of spice, very flavorsome, and an easy to follow recipe!
Lori Trolson says
This is so delicious and easy to prepare, a keeper for sure!
Mace says
Made it tonight was really nice and very easy to cook. Thanks.
Steven says
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing!
Kim says
I made this Butter Chicken last night. It was absolutely amazing, will definitely make this again and was easy to make.
antonio says
Excelente
Julie says
Just finished making this curry and it is absolutely delicious.
So easy to make but the taste is just wonderful.
Thank you so much for a really lovely dinner tonight.
BP says
My son gave it 9.2/10 which is the equivalent of Gordon Ramsey giving it 13/10
Ebru says
My husband and kids loved this recipe..will definitely make it again.
Kris says
This looks amazing. I happen to have all the ingredients so guess what’s for dinner tonight. Beautiful recipes and photography.
Jackie says
The entire family loved this chicken curry. My children who normally hate curries went back for more. This is definitely a winner. Thank you.