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!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 465 kcal
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
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.
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