Chicken Curry

This chicken curry recipe is not only flavorful but incredibly fragrant with a heaping amount of aromatic spices simmered together with the chicken in a creamy curry sauce.

  • Total 40 minutes
  • Serves 4 servings
  • Dinner
  • American, Indian
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Skillet of Chicken Curry

This chicken curry recipe is not only flavorful but incredibly fragrant with a heaping amount of aromatic spices simmered together with the chicken in a creamy curry sauce.

Bowl of Chicken Curry with rice more

Why this recipe works

Chicken curry packs a flavorful punch with adjustable heat levels to suit your individual preferences. This Indian classic is loved by many for obvious reasons. Combining cubed chicken with intense flavors from curry powder, garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and more creates the perfectly spiced vehicle for creamy coconut curry sauce.

Of all the many mouth-watering curries to choose from between chicken curry, chicken tikka masala, and even shrimp curry, we can definitely agree that their explosive flavors are what continue to draw us back again and again.

Skillet of Chicken Curry with a spoon in it

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Chicken Curry

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CHICKEN – Our recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken breast, but if you prefer your chicken curry using a whole chicken or bone-in meat, feel free to do so. Cube the chicken breasts into equal sized pieces for even cooking.

COCONUT MILK – Be sure to use coconut milk, not coconut cream which is much thicker and sweeter in comparison. You can substitute the coconut milk with heavy cream if needed.

SPICES – You can adjust the spices for personal taste preferences. The cayenne adds some heat but can be omitted for a milder dish or increased for additional spice. You can also add finely diced green chiles to up the spice level. Add the chiles to the skillet with the garlic and ginger.

TOMATO PASTE – One cup of crushed or pureed tomatoes can be used in place of the tomato paste in the dish.

How to Make Chicken Curry

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

  1. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent.diced onion in a skillet
  2. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook 1-2 minutes longer, until fragrant.garlic, ginger, and onion in a skillet
  3. Add the spices to the onion mixture – curry powder, garam masala, cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute, toasting the spices.adding curry spices to skillet with onion, ginger, and garlic
  4. Add chicken to the skillet (you do not need to remove the onion mixture) and brown over medium heat.cooking cubed chicken in a skillet with curry spices
  5. Add the tomato paste and broth to the skillet, stirring to dissolve the tomato paste into the liquid.adding tomato paste to chicken curry
  6. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, so the chicken is cooked through.chicken curry in a skillet with a rubber spatula
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut milk and Greek yogurt.mixing coconut milk and yogurt into chicken currycreamy chicken curry in a skillet
  8. Serve curry chicken with freshly chopped cilantro, basmati rice, and/or naan.creamy chicken curry in a skillet garnished with chopped cilantro

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do you store leftover chicken curry?

Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop until warmed through.

Close up photo of a spoon of Chicken Curry in a skillet of Chicken Curry

Serving Suggestions

Serve chicken curry over or alongside Basmati rice with optional flatbread such as Naan for soaking up extra sauce. Enjoy warm from the skillet.

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