If you’re looking for easy weeknight dinner ideas and are a fan of Indian cuisine, this easy chicken curry is here to save the day! This simple dish takes less than an hour to make and can be adjusted to suit your spice preferences. Plus, it’s packed with flavor—perfect for any home cook who wants a delicious meal in no time.
Chicken
Chicken breast is the perfect cut of meat for this easy chicken curry. Not only is it easy to prepare and cook, but it also has a mild flavor that pairs well with the spicy, flavorful ingredients in the dish. The white meat of chicken breast is low in fat and calories, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste. Additionally, chicken breasts are easy to shape into cubes or strips so they retain their shape during cooking—perfect for curries! You can also opt to use chicken thighs if you prefer them over chicken breast.
Rice
Basmati rice is an excellent choice for easy chicken curry, as its long grains help absorb the dish’s flavors while holding its shape and texture. Basmati rice has a nutty flavor that complements the spices in a traditional Indian-style easy chicken curry, while also providing an ideal amount of starchiness that helps thicken the sauce. Lastly, because basmati’s grains are so long and slender, it cooks evenly and quickly (in about 20 minutes) so you can enjoy your easy chicken curry even faster! I highly recommend preparing your rice in a pressure cooker or rice cooker if you have those options available to you.
Yogurt
Nonfat Greek yogurt is used in this easy chicken curry recipe to marinade the chicken. This type of yogurt is a healthy choice because it has no fat, and when mixed with spices, it helps tenderize the meat to stay juicy and flavorful. The yogurt also adds extra flavor to the dish, making it even more delicious!
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is used in this easy chicken curry recipe to add a silky, creamy texture and richness to the dish. The heavy cream helps thicken the sauce while also adding a subtle sweetness that helps balance out the bold flavors of the spices. Heavy cream also helps create an incredibly smooth texture, making it easy for all those delicious flavors to mingle together in perfect harmony. Not only does it provide flavor and texture, but using heavy cream can help keep your easy chicken curry from becoming too dry or watery as well.
Tomatoes & Shallots
Crushed tomatoes and diced shallots are essential ingredients in this easy chicken curry recipe. The crushed tomatoes provide a savory base for the dish, while the diced shallots add an oniony flavor that pairs perfectly with the other spices. The tomatoes help create a rich sauce that coats all of the ingredients evenly, while also adding natural sweetness to balance out any spiciness. Meanwhile, the shallots give an earthy flavor that helps round out all of the flavors in this easy chicken curry dish.
Spices
The easy chicken curry recipe uses a variety of spices to create an intensely flavorful and aromatic dish. Garam masala, curry powder, cumin, paprika, minced garlic, grated ginger and salt are all used in this easy chicken curry recipe to bring out the bold flavors of Indian cuisine. Garam masala is a blend of spices that adds warm notes to the easy chicken curry while enhancing its flavor profile. Curry powder is essential for any Indian-style dish as it brings spicy yet sweet notes to the easy chicken curry. Cumin adds earthy notes while also providing an extra layer of warmth and spice. Paprika provides smoky undertones that help balance out the other flavors in the easy chicken curry. Minced garlic helps add depth and complexity while grated ginger gives a slight sweetness that ties everything together perfectly. Lastly, salt is added to enhance all these flavors without making them too overpowering. All these spices come together beautifully in this easy chicken curry recipe for a delicious dinner perfect for any night!
Chicken Curry
Servings
6
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Calories
377
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time 45 Minutes
*Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used. Calories listed are per serving.*
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 Lb Chicken Breast, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces
- 3/4 Cup Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Garam Masala
- 1 Tbsp Salt
Curry
- 1 Diced Shallot
- 1 Knob Fresh Ginger, Grated
- 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Garam Masala
- 1 Tbsp Curry Powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp Cumin
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream (or coconut cream if preferred)
- 1 15oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- Fresh Cilantro (if Desired)
Rice
- 1 1/2 Cups Steamed Basmati Rice
*Disclosure, below are affiliate links to products we recommend. We do not include links to products we have not used or honestly recommend*
What Tools You Will Need
Directions
Step 01
Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Add the Greek yogurt, garam masala, and salt to a mixing bowl and mix until combined. Add the chicken breast, mix, and set to the side.
Step 02
Begin steaming your rice. Finely dice the shallot and garlic cloves and set aside. Grate the ginger and set aside.
Step 03
Preheat a frying pan to medium-high heat and add the chicken in an even layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until almost completely cooked and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 04
Add the frying pan back to the stove and adjust the heat to a medium heat. Add the vegetable oil, shallot, garlic, and ginger and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 5
Deglaze your pan with 2 tbsp of water. Add the garam masala, curry powder, paprika, cumin and mix. Add the crushed tomatoes and chicken. Stir, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
Step 06
Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
Step 07
Serve & Enjoy!
Notes:
- If you want more of a coconut curry you can use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
- Seal your curry in an airtight container and save it for meals for the week.
- If you want to add some more heat to your curry you can add some cayenne pepper and chili powder.
- If you are trying to watch your carbs use cauliflower rice instead of basmati rice.
FAQ
What Is The Best Chicken To Use For Chicken Curry?
Chicken breast is a great choice for easy chicken curry because it’s easy to find and has a mild flavor. Plus, the white meat won’t dry out as quickly because of the marinade and the fact it is being added to the curry sauce. Alternatively, chicken thighs work great in curry.
What Type Of Rice Should I Use For Chicken Curry?
Basmati rice is an ideal choice for easy chicken curry because its long grains help absorb all of the flavors and hold their shape during cooking. It also cooks quickly – in about 20 minutes – so you can enjoy your easy chicken curry even faster!
Why Should I Use A Yogurt Marinade?
Nonfat Greek yogurt is used to marinade the chicken in this easy chicken curry recipe. The yogurt helps tenderize the meat while also adding extra flavor to the dish. It’s also a healthy choice since it contains no fat.
What Is Curry Sauce Made Of?
Curry sauce is usually made with a base of onion, garlic, and ginger along with aromatic spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, curry powder, garam masala, and chili. Other ingredients may include tomatoes or coconut milk to make the curry richer or cream and yogurt for added flavor and texture. Some recipes also call for nuts or seeds such as almond butter or sesame paste to give the sauce an extra layer of flavor. Curry sauces can vary greatly depending on region but many classic recipes use spices that bring out the unique flavors in fruits, vegetables and proteins that are commonly used in Indian cuisine!
Chicken Curry
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 Lb Chicken Breast cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3/4 Cup Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Garam Masala
- 1 Tbsp Salt
Curry
- 1 Shallot finely diced
- 4 Cloves garlic finely diced
- 1 Knob Fresh Ginger Grated
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil or olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Garam Masala
- 1 Tbsp Curry Powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp Cumin
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 15 Oz Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- Cilantro to Taste
Rice
- 1 1/2 Cups Cooked Basmati Rice
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Add the Greek yogurt, garam masala, and salt to a mixing bowl and mix until combined. Add the chicken breast, mix, and set to the side.
- Begin steaming your rice. Finely dice the shallot and garlic cloves and set aside. Grate the ginger and set aside.
- Preheat a frying pan to medium-high heat and add the chicken in an even layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until almost completely cooked and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the frying pan back to the stove and adjust the heat to medium. Add the vegetable oil, shallot, garlic, and ginger and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze your pan with 2 tbsp of water. Add the garam masala, curry powder, paprika, cumin and mix. Add the crushed tomatoes and chicken. Stir, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you want more of a coconut curry you can use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
- Seal your curry in an airtight container and save it for meals for the week.
- If you want to add some more heat to your curry you can add some cayenne pepper and chili powder.
- If you are trying to watch your carbs use cauliflower rice instead of basmati rice.
Nutrition
Summary
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chicken curry recipe. If you have any questions or comments go ahead and leave them in the comments below or feel free to email us. What is your favorite way to make curry? Did this chicken curry recipe make it into the list of your favorite recipes? Let us know in the comments below. For more awesome recipes check below.
