Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry is a childhood favorite with tender chicken pieces browned and simmered in a thick curry sauce with sliced onions.
Post originally written in 2009. In 2018, I updated the photos and recipe technique. When I originally posted this recipe, I dipped the chicken in an egg/milk wash before dredging it in the flour. Over the years, I have skipped the egg/milk wash and simply dredged in the flour before cooking. I like it better and it makes the recipe even easier. It’s a total win!
You have probably noticed that I am a firm believer that food, recipes and cooking are major part of who we are. This is a dish that was a big part of my childhood. Whenever I went to visit my dad for the weekend, he would always make it.
This is not an authentic Indian Chicken Curry recipe, but this is a family favorite. Tender chicken pieces are browned and then simmered in a thick curry sauce with sliced onions. And as with most of my families traditional recipes, this is perfect served over a steaming plate of rice.
As with many family recipes, this one has gone through some changes throughout the years. My dad made a few changes to my grandmother’s recipe. And I have made a few changes from the version my dad made. The most notable is instead of chicken drumsticks, I use boneless skinless chicken thighs. While I do prefer boneless chicken, I don’t recommend using chicken breasts. The amount of cooking time required to get the perfect curry flavor makes chicken breasts quite dry.
How to cook simple chicken curry:
This Chicken Curry recipe is really simple. If you have made homemade gravy before you can make this. You will need to whisk flour and curry powder into chicken drippings and then add chicken broth. Finally, add chicken pieces and chicken broth and let simmer. How easy is that?!
If you are looking for other recipes using curry, check out Crispy Curry Chickpeas, Pumpkin Curry Penne and Crispy Chicken and Curried Cauliflower Rice.
If you are looking for chicken curry with coconut milk you have got to try coconut curry soup. And if you want something a little different but still full of curry flavor, try coconut curry fried chicken.
Chicken Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon)
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In a dutch oven or oven proof pan, heat canola oil over medium heat.
Combine 1 cup of flour, seasoning salt and cracked pepper in a resealable plastic bag.
Place in flour bag and shake to coat. Shake to remove any excess.
Place chicken in the oil and fry just to brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel lined plate. (Note: Don't over crowd the pan, you can fry the chicken in batches if you need to.)
Once all of the chicken is browned, reserve 3 tablespoons of the pan drippings. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, cook 1 minute. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of curry powder, cook 1 minute. Whisk in chicken broth, soy sauce and garam masala. Bring to a boil.
While you are waiting for the curry to boil, slice your chicken pieces
Once the curry starts to boil, add the onion and chicken.
Transfer to the oven and cook uncovered for 1 hour. Stirring occasionally. Remove from oven. Spoon over rice and serve.
Notes
Now if you want to serve this like we do in my house, you'll serve some hot chili peppers on the side. You might even have a contest to see who can eat the most. ;-) Enjoy!
Jennifer Blake
May 11, 2018 at 9:09 amI can hardly feel that warming in my tummy!
Dee
May 10, 2018 at 8:44 amThis looks so good, and I know my family would love it!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
May 9, 2018 at 8:14 pmI love this idea! So simple and pretty!
Carolyn
May 9, 2018 at 1:20 pmI do love a good curry!
gerry speirs
May 9, 2018 at 8:15 amI love me some curry!!!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
May 9, 2018 at 3:48 amA simple chicken curry like this is a great recipe to go to again and again. I love that you used chicken thighs- I bet they are fall-apart tender at the end!
Delaney | Melanie Makes
May 8, 2018 at 3:59 pmThis curry looks so delicious!
I Heart Naptime
May 8, 2018 at 3:03 pmYum, this looks delicious and so comforting!
Meghan
May 8, 2018 at 7:04 amThis is a dish I would love to whip up tonight! Curry is always a hit.
Jacque Hastert
May 8, 2018 at 4:51 amThis looks amazing! All the flavors pair so well together.
D Gail Begley
March 24, 2018 at 2:53 pmMy mom and I used to make turkey Curry with turkey leftovers whenever we’d roast a turkey. Sometimes I just wake up dreaming about it. Now that it’s just me most turkeys are too large to deal with. I think I’m going to have to try some chicken. I wonder why I never thought of it before.
Deseree
March 24, 2018 at 4:54 pmA restaurant I used to work for would always make turkey curry soup and it was SO good. Chicken is great though, we probably have chicken curry once every other week :)
Nel
February 15, 2013 at 6:00 pmHi,
I just wanted to let you know that I love your recipe. I’ve made this dish before but it did not turn out right.I was walking through the grocery store and I randomly decided to make curry. I Googled the recipe and I loved how yours looked. I am happy to say that I’ve gotten many compliments on the dish tonight at dinner. Thanks so much for sharing. I will be checking out your other recipes.
Lou
December 6, 2012 at 12:00 pmThank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Having been born and raised in England, but for the last seven years living in Canada, I’ve been on the search for the kind of curry that reminds me of the ones we used to get when I was younger; after a night on the town and only the most deliciously perfect morsel could compliment the copious amounts of alcohol consumed :o) There’s a certain taste to the curry sauce that you find in an English fish ‘n’ chip shop that just cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world…..until now. It’s not exact, but it’s the closest I’ve come across without spending thousands of dollars and an eleven hour plane ride to get it :o)
So I say again…..THANK YOU!!! :o)
Jess davies
January 5, 2011 at 2:38 ami luv cury it is niyce 2 eate
Deseree
April 28, 2009 at 2:28 pmYou’re welcome Laura!
Lindsay: Those additions sound delicious, I just may have to give them a try! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it :)
Lindsay
April 28, 2009 at 7:45 amWell, I gave it my best last night and it was divine. In keeping with tradition I changed a couple of things myself. I put in a cup of canned diced tomatoes in place of one of the cups of broth and I also threw in a small handful of chopped cilantro right before it went into the oven. It came out beautifully, I was so pleased. This recipe is a definite keeper!
Laura
April 28, 2009 at 6:39 amI love chicken curry! Thanks for sharing, yum!
Lindsay
April 27, 2009 at 2:11 pmThis looks amazing. I am going to take a stab at it tonight.
Deseree
April 27, 2009 at 2:56 pmLindsay: I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Deseree
April 27, 2009 at 2:08 pmThanks Kevin!
I hope you enjoy it Zulfikar!
Thanks zoe!
zoe
April 26, 2009 at 3:48 pmthis looks amazing. your pictures are so great!
Zulfikar
April 25, 2009 at 10:38 amAwesome, thanks for the response – lol there’s my sunday lunch sorted :)
Kevin
April 24, 2009 at 5:27 pmThat chicken curry looks good and the recipe sounds nice and simple.
Deseree
April 24, 2009 at 1:55 pmPhyllis: I am glad that your husband is willing to give it a try. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Phoo-D: You’re welcome!
Phoo-D
April 24, 2009 at 1:02 pmThis is my kind of family recipe! We eat a lot of chicken thighs and I’m always looking for a new twist. Thank you for sharing.
Phyllis
April 24, 2009 at 9:42 amThis looks delicious. I sent the email to my husband and asked him if he thought he might like this, and his exact words: what the hell lets give it a try.
Mind, middle aged midwestern white male mentality. But it sure does look good.
gonna try it tonight
Deseree
April 24, 2009 at 8:16 amThanks Susan! I am glad that you like it!
Thanks Zulfikar! You can certainly do this on the stove if you would like, I would just keep it at a low temperature for about an hour. Hope this helps!
You’re welcome Debbie!
Debbie
April 24, 2009 at 8:07 amThis sounds delicious. I’ve had this before but not your version. I will have to make this…thanks!!!
Zulfikar
April 24, 2009 at 3:27 amThe picture by itself looks so yum I could eat a plate or two of this :)
A question though, I’ve never been keen on oven cooking and besides mine has broken down – can this dish be cooked on the stove as oposed to the oven?
BTW I came across your site via stumbleupon.
Susan from Food Blogga
April 23, 2009 at 4:02 pmHi Des,
I stumbled upon your blog from an internet search. Just wanted to see that I like what I see! Your photos are so fresh and appetizing–really lovely.