Des

Hey! I'm Des!

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Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry is a childhood favorite with tender chicken pieces browned and simmered in a thick curry sauce with sliced onions.

I have been making this Easy Chicken Curry Recipe since I was a little girl. It is one of the first things that my Dad taught me how to make. My grandma shared it with him and now I share it with my kiddos. So you could say that this is one of our favorite family recipes.

To be honest, there is a lot to love about it. Tender chicken pieces and onions simmered in a thick flavorful curry sauce and then poured over white rice.

What ingredients do you need?

CHICKEN THIGHS: Growing up we always made this recipe with bone-in chicken meat. My husband and kiddos though (and me to some extent!) found that version pretty messy. My solution? Boneless skinless chicken thighs! You can use breasts but this does need to simmer so breasts have a tendency to get dry.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs in a shallow dish with flour.

OIL

FLOUR: This helps give the chicken a little crunch as well as helps thicken the curry sauce.

SEASONING SALT/PEPPER: To season the flour before coating the chicken.

YELLOW CURRY POWDER: There are several different curry blends out there and they range from mild to super spicy. Some are also on the sweet side, it’s really a personal preference. My favorite blend is the Spice Islands Curry.

GARAM MASALA: A spice commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is another spice blend with flavors of cinnamon, mace, peppercorn, coriander, cumin and cardamom.

CHICKEN BROTH:  Use low-sodium so that you can control the salt content.

YELLOW ONION: This is a must in this recipe. It really enhances the flavor and texture of the curry.

SOY SAUCE: Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavor. Because of the soy sauce, you’ll likely need to add less salt.

RICE: I always serve chicken curry over rice. You can use jasmine, basmati or brown rice. Quinoa is also a fabulous substitute!

A simple chicken curry recipe.

How do you make chicken curry?

step by step photos showing how to make chicken curry.

STEP #1:  Combine 1 cup of flour, seasoning salt and cracked pepper in a resealable plastic bag.

STEP #2: Combine 1 cup of flour, seasoning salt and cracked pepper on a shallow plate.

STEP #3: Dredge chicken in flour. Shake to remove any excess.

STEP #4: Place chicken in the oil and fry just to brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel lined plate. Allow to cool and the cut into bite sized pieces.

DES’ TIP: Be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in batches if you need to. 

STEP #5: 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.

STEP #6: Once the curry starts to boil, add the onion and chicken.
Simmer uncovered until thickened and chicken is cooked through. About 30 – 40 minutes.

Chicken curry in a pan.

If you are looking for other recipes using curry, check out

Crispy Curry Chickpeas

Pumpkin Curry Penne

Crispy Chicken and Curried Cauliflower Rice

If you are looking for chicken curry with coconut milk you have got to try coconut curry soup

coconut curry fried chicken.

More Chicken Recipes:

Dill Pickle Chicken Wings Recipe

Baked Chicken Legs

Artichoke Chicken

Chicken Adobo in the Instant Pot

Note: This recipe was originally written in 2009. It was updated with new step by step photos, recipe modifications and nutrition information in 2020.

A simple chicken curry recipe.

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry is a childhood favorite with tender chicken pieces browned and simmered in a thick curry sauce with sliced onions.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

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
 

  • In large pan heat canola oil over medium heat.
  • Combine 1 cup of flour, seasoning salt and cracked pepper on a shallow plate.
  • Dredge chicken in flour. 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.) Allow to cool and the cut into bite sized pieces. 
  • 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.
  • Simmer uncovered until thickened and chicken is cooked through. About 30 - 40 minutes.

Notes

Nutrition information is for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 56.7gProtein: 40.7gFat: 21.9gSaturated Fat: 3.6gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 728mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 1.4g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: chicken, chicken curry, Indian

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Jennifer Blake
    May 11, 2018 at 9:09 am

    5 stars
    I can hardly feel that warming in my tummy!

  • Reply
    Dee
    May 10, 2018 at 8:44 am

    This looks so good, and I know my family would love it!

  • Reply
    Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
    May 9, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    5 stars
    I love this idea! So simple and pretty!

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    May 9, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    5 stars
    I do love a good curry!

  • Reply
    gerry speirs
    May 9, 2018 at 8:15 am

    5 stars
    I love me some curry!!!

  • Reply
    Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
    May 9, 2018 at 3:48 am

    5 stars
    A 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!

  • Reply
    Delaney | Melanie Makes
    May 8, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    This curry looks so delicious!

  • Reply
    I Heart Naptime
    May 8, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Yum, this looks delicious and so comforting!

  • Reply
    Meghan
    May 8, 2018 at 7:04 am

    This is a dish I would love to whip up tonight! Curry is always a hit.

  • Reply
    Jacque Hastert
    May 8, 2018 at 4:51 am

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! All the flavors pair so well together.

  • Reply
    D Gail Begley
    March 24, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    My 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.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      March 24, 2018 at 4:54 pm

      A 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 :)

  • Reply
    Nel
    February 15, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Hi,

    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.

  • Reply
    Lou
    December 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Thank 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)

  • Reply
    Jess davies
    January 5, 2011 at 2:38 am

    i luv cury it is niyce 2 eate

  • Reply
    Deseree
    April 28, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    You’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 :)

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    April 28, 2009 at 7:45 am

    Well, 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!

  • Reply
    Laura
    April 28, 2009 at 6:39 am

    I love chicken curry! Thanks for sharing, yum!

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    April 27, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    This looks amazing. I am going to take a stab at it tonight.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      April 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm

      Lindsay: I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

  • Reply
    Deseree
    April 27, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks Kevin!
    I hope you enjoy it Zulfikar!
    Thanks zoe!

  • Reply
    zoe
    April 26, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    this looks amazing. your pictures are so great!

  • Reply
    Zulfikar
    April 25, 2009 at 10:38 am

    Awesome, thanks for the response – lol there’s my sunday lunch sorted :)

  • Reply
    Kevin
    April 24, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    That chicken curry looks good and the recipe sounds nice and simple.

  • Reply
    Deseree
    April 24, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Phyllis: I am glad that your husband is willing to give it a try. I hope you enjoy it! :)
    Phoo-D: You’re welcome!

  • Reply
    Phoo-D
    April 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    This 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.

  • Reply
    Phyllis
    April 24, 2009 at 9:42 am

    This 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

  • Reply
    Deseree
    April 24, 2009 at 8:16 am

    Thanks 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!

  • Reply
    Debbie
    April 24, 2009 at 8:07 am

    This sounds delicious. I’ve had this before but not your version. I will have to make this…thanks!!!

  • Reply
    Zulfikar
    April 24, 2009 at 3:27 am

    The 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.

  • Reply
    Susan from Food Blogga
    April 23, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Hi 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.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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