Spicy Chicken Curry Recipe

Ingredients:

– **For the chicken curry:**
– 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 2 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
– 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise
– 2-3 red chilies, whole (optional, for extra heat)
– 2 tsp ground cumin
– 2 tsp ground coriander
– 1 tsp turmeric powder
– 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
– 1 tsp garam masala
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
– 1 cup tomato puree
– 1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream (for a richer curry)
– 1/2 cup stock chicken or water
– Salt to taste
– Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

PREPARATION:

1. **Prepare the chicken:**
– In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and set aside.

2. **Cook the aromatics:**
– Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onions and cook until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.
– Stir in the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

3. **Add spices:**
– Add ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala, cinnamon and cardamom to the pan.
– Cook the spices for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent them from burning.
– Add the chopped green chilies and whole red chilies (if using) to the mixture.

4. **Cook the chicken:**
– Add the chicken pieces to the pan, stirring to coat with the spices.
– Cook the chicken until it begins to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.

5. **Add Liquids:**
– Pour in the tomato puree and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
– Add the coconut milk (or heavy cream) and chicken broth or water. Stir well to combine.
– Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

6. **Finishing Touches:**
– Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
– Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

7. **Serve:**
– Serve the spicy chicken curry hot with steamed rice, naan or your favorite bread.

Enjoy this comforting and spicy chicken curry, full of deep and rich flavors! Adjust the heat by varying the number of chilies according to your taste preferences.

This recipe for Spicy Chicken Curry is packed with bold flavors and can be adjusted for your preferred heat level. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown and tips for maximizing flavor.

Estimated Nutrition Information (per serving, recipe serves 4):

  • Calories: ~400
  • Fat: ~28g
  • Carbohydrates: ~12g
    • Dietary Fiber: ~3g
    • Sugars: ~5g
  • Protein: ~25g
  • Cholesterol: ~100mg
  • Sodium: ~400mg

This estimate is based on using coconut milk, vegetable oil, and chicken thighs. Adjustments to ingredients, such as using heavy cream or chicken breasts, will affect the nutritional content.

Tips for Flavor:

  1. Spice Balance: For a milder curry, reduce or omit the red chilies and use just 1 green chili. To increase heat, add more green chilies or include a dash of cayenne pepper.
  2. Richer Texture: Coconut milk adds a slightly sweet richness, while heavy cream will create a smoother, creamier texture.
  3. Marinating Chicken: Marinate the chicken in the spices for 30 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor.
  4. Serving Ideas: Serve with fragrant basmati rice, roti, or naan. A side of cooling cucumber raita can balance the spice level.

Enjoy your flavorful, comforting curry!