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curry chicken in a bowl
Classic Curry Chicken
We will show you how to master a classic Punjabi-style Indian curry chicken that is complex, rich, fragrant, and absolutely mouthwatering!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 465 kcal

Ingredients
  

Tadka

  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 yellow onions diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 2 thumbs ginger three thumbs thick, peeled and grated
  • 2 green chili peppers add 2-3 extra chilies for a spicier version
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds heaping

Garam Masala

  • 1/4 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • 6 cloves

Chicken

  • 7 chicken thighs bone-in
  • 7 chicken drumsticks
  • 6 ounce tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Patak's mild curry paste
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped

Instructions
 

Cut the Chicken and the Vegetables
  • Clean the chicken. If the drumsticks and thighs are not skinless, remove the skin. Cut the chicken thighs in half. Pat them dry and set them aside.
  • Dice the onions, red pepper, and green pepper. Set aside.
  • Mince the garlic and thinly slice the green chili peppers. Set aside.
  • Peel and grate the ginger. Set aside.
  • Finely chop the cilantro. Set aside.
Toast and Grind the Garam Masala
  • Break open the cardamom pods, discard the shells, and set aside the seeds.
  • Place a dry saucepan on the stovetop at medium heat.
  • Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cardamom seeds, black peppercorns, and cloves to a dry saucepan.
  • Dry sauté the spices for 1 minute to toast them.
  • Add whole and ground spices to a coffee grinder and grind them into a powder. Set aside.
Clarify the Butter
  • Place a pot on the stovetop at medium-low heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
  • Turn the stovetop down to low heat if it begins to bubble.
  • To clarify the butter, skim the white foam off the top of the pot with a large serving spoon to remove the lactose or milk solids.
Begin Cooking up the Tadka
  • Add onions, red pepper, and green pepper to the pot. Increase the heat on the stovetop to medium-low and allow the vegetables to bubble softly.
  • Cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the vegetables do not stick to the bottom of the pot or burn.
  • Add ginger and garlic.
  • Cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Bloom the Spices and Finish the Tadka
  • Add green chili peppers, red chili powder, garam masala, cumin seeds, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  • Cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Cover the pot with its lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Add Tomato Paste, Curry Paste, and Turmeric
  • Turn the heat on the stovetop up to medium.
  • Add tomato paste, Patak’s curry paste, turmeric, and 1 tsp salt.
  • Cover the pot with its lid and cook for 10 minutes.
Coat the Chicken in the Spices and Cook for 40 Minutes.
  • Add the chicken to the pot.
  • Use a spoon to generously coat each piece of chicken with the sauce and spices.
  • Cover the pot with its lid. Lower the heat on the stovetop to low. Cook for 40 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Add Cilantro and Boiling Water
  • Add boiling water and chopped cilantro to the pot. Stir well.
  • Turn up the heat on the stovetop to medium-high.
  • Simmer the liquid for 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 30gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 758mgPotassium: 673mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1461IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 2mg
Keyword approachable, authentic, complex, Delicious, fragrant
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