When I think of comfort food, one dish that instantly comes to my mind is this delicious and flavorful chicken curry sauce recipe. If you’re wondering how to make chicken curry sauce from scratch, let me tell you, it’s easier than you think! This creamy sauce can be served hot with boiled white rice or garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
So, let me introduce you to the mouthwatering chicken curry sauce recipe. This sauce starts with the base of freshly chopped onions, ginger, and garlic cooked until they’re caramelized to perfection.
Then come the aromatic spices- cumin, coriander, turmeric, curry powder, garam masala, and chili pepper which are toasted in hot oil until fragrant before blending in tomatoes for tanginess.
You shouldn’t forget the tender pieces of chicken and creamy yogurt which adds richness and creaminess as it simmers gently on the stove for a few minutes. So, this chicken curry sauce recipe is all about layering flavors.
What is curry sauce?
This chicken curry sauce is an irresistible blend of spices and aromatics such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and garlic all simmered together in a creamy tomato-based gravy with tender pieces of chicken.
It is a delicious dish that has been passed down through generations and can be found in various regions across the globe from India to Thailand to Jamaica. Each culture puts its unique spin on it but at its core lies the unmistakable essence of warm spices that perfectly complement any protein or vegetable it touches.
The beauty of this recipe is that it can be customized to suit your taste; once you’ve gotten the main ingredient on hand you can easily throw in some potatoes, bell pepper, or carrots for an extra dose of veggies. Honestly speaking, one bite of this goodness will transport you to South Asia where every family has its secret spice mix for their cherished recipe.
Today, I’ll be sharing with you an incredibly delicious recipe for chicken curry sauce; it’s an explosion of flavor that is sure to leave you craving more!
Ingredients for chicken curry
- 11/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 medium-sized tomatoes, grated or pulsed
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 thumb-sized fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala,
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
What do you need for the chicken curry sauce recipe?
- Chicken breast- I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they are perfect for soaking up all of those amazing flavors from spices and seasonings. However, you can use chicken thighs or drumsticks for yours. You can choose to cube the chicken as I did or use them whole, it is totally up to you. To get the best, I started by sealing in the flavor by sautéing the pieces in hot oil until juicy before adding them to this delicious sauce.
- Yogurt- For creaminess and tanginess, I used plain yogurt as the base; it gives you that indulgent feel but for a non-dairy option, you can use coconut milk as the best alternative.
- Oil- You will need it for sauteing the chicken and the spices
- Chicken stock– Using chicken stock instead of adding water to your homemade chicken curry sauce will make a significant difference. Not only does it add depth and richness to the overall flavor profile but it also helps to thicken the consistency of the sauce without compromising the taste. See how to extract chicken stock at home.
- Onion- No curry sauce is complete without onion, it creates an aromatic base for the rest of the ingredients! Slice them thinly and sautéed until translucent before adding the other ingredients.
- Ginger and garlic- These are zesty additions that give a pungent kick to our saucy goodness and help bring out a tingly kick to each bite.
- Ground spices- Cumin, garam masala, curry powder, coriander, and turmeric. A combination of these aromatic spices will infuse your sauce with a deliciously warm and flavorful punch and you will have the chance to experience that authentic Indian taste.
- Red chili- For an added kick of flavor and heat, don’t forget about chili pepper; it will give your curry sauce that delightful extra level of complexity. You can use either fresh or dried chili pepper, cayenne is also a good option.
- Tomatoes- Crushed tomatoes are added for acidity and richness.
- Fresh cilantro- It adds an extra pop of color and herbaceousness
How to make chicken curry sauce
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (or keep them whole if you prefer) and season with salt, and pepper.
Add some oil to a large skillet and drop the chicken into it to brown on one side for 3 minutes, flip to the other side, and brown for another 3 minutes before taking them out into a dish.
Then, add more oil to the same skillet if needed and begin sautéing diced onions until they turn translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook on medium heat until fragrant.
Next, add curry powder, garam masala powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and green chili pepper. Let those fragrant aromas waft through the air as they sizzle away for a minute or two.
Once the spices are fragrant, pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce and let it simmer until soft for 5 minutes.
After that, return the cooked chicken pieces to the mix and saute for 3 minutes to pick up the flavor of the other ingredients.
Finally, pour in the yogurt and chicken stock along with some salt, black pepper, and chili flakes depending on your heat preference, and stir to combine nicely.
Place a lid and bring to a simmer. You will need to slow-cook it to allow all these flavors to infuse together while occasionally stirring till the gravy thickens up.
Once everything is fully coated in the richly spiced sauce and you could notice a rich creamy consistency with tender chicken pieces, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves for an extra burst of freshness before taking it off from the heat.
Serve chicken curry sauce over rice or with naan bread. Trust me when I say this will become one of your regular go-to sauces!
Tips for making the best chicken curry sauce recipe
- Building layers of flavor is very important in this recipe. This involves cooking down your onions ginger, and garlic until caramelized before adding in other ingredients like tomatoes. This will help bring out their natural sweetness.
- Ensure that you cook down tomatoes into a thick paste so that when combined with the yogurt, it will form an irresistible base for your chicken.
- Adjust salt and spice levels according to your personal preference by tasting regularly during the cooking time so that each bite is customized just how you love it.
- The cooking times are crucial when perfecting this dish: slow-simmer for at least 20 minutes (even better if it’s 40 minutes) until the flavors meld together perfectly.
What to serve with chicken curry
This creamy chicken curry sauce is perfect with any Indian or Asian-inspired meal. You can drizzle it over your bowl of steamed white rice or noodles, dip your crispy papadums in it, and add some crispy naan bread to soak up all that delicious sauce, or use it as a marinade for grilled meats.
Mix it up with some sweet potatoes or roasted vegetables for an explosion of flavor. And whether you’re making tacos, salads, or stir-fries, you can equally drizzle some chicken curry sauce on top for an instant burst of flavor.
What is chicken curry sauce made of?
This flavorful and aromatic curry sauce starts with a base of onions, ginger, and garlic, followed by a blend of spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, and cumin and curry creates that signature curry flavor. And tomatoes, chili, stock, and yogurt are also added to create a saucy base. Finally, sauteed pieces of chicken breast are cooked right into the sauce to soak up all those amazing flavors.
What is the liquid in curry sauce?
The creamy golden liquid in this curry sauce comes from the yogurt and chicken stock which lend a creamy texture and mild sweetness to balance out the heat from the spices. However, other variations may use heavy cream, milk, or coconut milk as the base for the sauce.
What is the difference between curry chicken and chicken curry?
The terms “curry chicken” and “chicken curry” are used interchangeably. Both terms refer to a dish that includes chicken and a blend of Indian spices which commonly include curry powder, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and cumin. However, there is only one correct way to call it: “chicken curry”.
Is chicken thighs or breast better for curry sauce?
You can use chicken breast meat, bone-in chicken thighs, or even whole chicken in this curry recipe. If you are using a whole chicken, make sure to cut it into pieces. The key to making an amazing chicken curry sauce isn’t about the cut of the meat, but how it’s cooked and spiced up.
How to make chicken curry taste better?
One way to make the chicken curry tastes better is to toast all the spices such as cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, and clove in a hot pan before blending them. This enhances their flavors tenfold. Also, you can squeeze in some fresh lime juice before serving for that subtle tangy aftertaste. Finally, always allow your dish ample time for simmering on low heat so that all those wonderful flavors have a chance to come together in perfect harmony.
Can you freeze curry chicken?
Yes, chicken curry sauce can be frozen for future meal prep or for those lazy nights when cooking seems like too much work. You simply need to cook up a large batch of this delicious sauce and divide it into portions; let your sauce cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. The next time you’re craving some tasty comfort food, all you need to do is to defrost your homemade chicken curry sauce in the fridge overnight or heat it up on low heat on the stovetop until completely thawed and heated through. Serve it over rice or noodles.
Other variations of chicken curry sauce
This delicious chicken curry sauce recipe can easily be customized to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Swap out yogurt for regular coconut milk or heavy cream in this recipe. You can also replace that with cashew paste or peanut butter for full-fat versions.
- Use leftover air-fried chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of chicken breasts if that’s what you have on hand.
- You can even swap out the poultry altogether and opt for juicy chunks of paneer cheese or hearty vegetables like eggplant, broccoli, or cauliflower.
- Throw in extra veggies like bell peppers or red potatoes if you’re feeling adventurous.
- You can make it as mild or spicy as your heart desires by adjusting the amount of chili flakes used.
- For those who prefer things on the sweeter side, adding honey or mango chutney can provide a subtle yet delightful sweetness that will cut through any heat from the spices.
Chicken Curry Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5 inch size pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 large-sized tomatoes, crushed in a blender
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 medium-sized red onion finely diced
- 1 thumb-sized fresh ginger, grated
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp garam masala,
- ½ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (or keep them whole if you prefer) and season with salt, and pepper. Add some oil to a large skillet and drop the chicken into it to brown on one side for 3 minutes, flip to the other side, and brown for another 3 minutes before taking them out into a dish.
- Then, add more oil to the same skillet if needed and begin sautéing diced onions until they turn translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook on medium heat until fragrant.
- Next, add curry powder,garam masala powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and green chili pepper. Let those fragrant aromas waft through the air as they sizzle away for a minute or two. Once the spices are fragrant, pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce and let it simmer until soft for 5 minutes.
- After that, return the cooked chicken pieces to the mix and saute for 3 minutes to pick up the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Finally, pour in the yogurt and chicken stock along with some salt, black pepper, and chili flakes depending on your heat preference, and stir to combine nicely.
- Bring to a simmer. You will need to slow-cook it to allow all these flavors to infuse together while occasionally stirring till the gravy thickens up.
- Once everything is fully coated in the richly spiced sauce and you could notice a rich creamy consistency with tender chicken pieces, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves for an extra burst of freshness before taking it off from the heat.
- Serve chicken curry sauce over rice or with naan bread. Trust me when I say this will become one of your regular go-to sauces.
Video
Notes
How long does chicken curry last in the fridge?
If you make a big batch of this chicken curry sauce (which I highly recommend), you can store it in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days! That means plenty of leftovers to enjoy throughout the week or share with your family, friends, and visitors. This sauce can freeze well too. When stored properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, it can last for up to 2 months without losing its fantastic flavor or texture. That means whenever you need a quick and easy meal, just pull this sauce out of your freezer, heat it, and enjoy.How to reheat curry sauce
To reheat this chicken curry sauce, simply pour the thawed sauce into a microwave-safe container and pop it into the microwave for 2-3 minutes on medium heat (stirring every 30 seconds) until piping hot throughout. You can also reheat it on the stovetop by heating it over low-medium heat until warm and making sure to stir occasionally. If your sauce has thickened up during the storage period, just add a little bit of warm water or chicken broth to help thin out the consistency as needed.Recreating this chicken curry sauce recipe at home is something that anyone can do and requires little effort. This recipe will surely be a hit with family and friends. I hope you will give it a try and share your amazing experience with us.