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Indian Chicken Curry Recipe

Name: Easy Indian Chicken Curry Recipe
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1-2 Tablespoon Oil; 1 Onion (sliced); 1 Tomato (diced); 1 Tablespoon Ginger + Garlic (*see Notes); 1 pound skinless Chicken parts with bones (aka chicken curry cuts, about 1/2 of a small Chicken); 1 1/2 cup Coconut Milk; 1 cup Broth; 3 Tablespoon Garam Masala; 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper; Salt (to taste); Juice of one lime; Cilantro (aka Coriander greens)

Published: Mar 31, 2018 · Modified: Feb 10, 2021 by Helene Dsouza

Helene Dsouza

Super quick and easy, one-pot Indian chicken curry. This is a gluten-free low-carb chicken meal!

Total Time: 23 minutes

4.94 from 15 votes

Jump to Recipe

I adore this easy Indian Chicken Curry Recipe!

It's a complete weeknight dinner solution and so tasty.

Usually, this Indian Chicken curry is ready within 25 minutes and it's flavorful, filling and so comforting at the same time!

Learn how to make this easy Indian chicken curry with the step by step video and recipe further below!

It has been a while since I had posted an Indian chicken curry recipe here and it was about time, don't you think?

I have to confess I was playing around with ingredients and flavors for a while.

Understanding the different effects of spices is a challenge I enjoy and I love preparing a deep flavorful Indian chicken curry!

When I was introduced to spices the Indian way, I was overwhelmed by the number of different flavors and shocked that one could throw them all together in a pot.

I know my Indian friends will chuckle at the thought of my face turning red while eating a spicy hot dish, but a Westerner might understand my first reaction.

It took a few years and pure food love and I was a changed person.

In fact, I am pretty much alright with most Indian dishes as you can see (pun intended!)

One of the Indian dishes that helped me getting into Indian food was this quick and easy chicken Curry.

My mother in law was so kind to share this Indian Chicken Curry recipe with us and of course, her recipe is the best!

So, if you are a person who grew up with non-spicy food, then this Chicken Curry will surely be your next favorite.

How to make Indian Chicken Curry with coconut milk from scratch?

The Indian chicken Curry preparation is quite simple and the ingredient's list is not that long.

The best part of the chicken Curry is that it is a quick one-pot dish, suited for the whole family.

This Indian Chicken Curry is mild but flavorful and makes a great weeknight dinner dish!

See below after the recipe for serving suggestions and similar dishes.

You may adjust the amount of veg/chicken stock in the recipe to make the curry more or less liquid.

Can chicken curry be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze this chicken curry easily by placing the curry with the chicken pieces into a freezer friendly container.

Then you just need to defrost the chicken curry and reheat it again on the stove top or microwave.

You will realize that it's easier to heat up again this chicken curry as the chicken is still on the bone and doesn't get that tough when reheated.

How long can chicken curry last in the fridge?

Chicken curry can last for about 5 days in the fridge, however, try to consume it before 3 days are over.

In fact, storing the chicken curry in the fridge and reheating it is beneficial because the chicken curry tends to gain more flavors when sitting in the fridge and being reheated.

Chicken curry dietary properties

This one-pot chicken curry is Gluten-free and Low Carb (Keto friendly).

Useful tools you might need to make this chicken curry:

Similar to the chicken curry recipe:

What to serve the chicken curry with?

Serve the chicken curry with plain cooked rice, lemon rice, cilantro rice or other aromatic spiced rice.

Or serve the chicken curry with flatbread such as chapati or any other bread.

Dear Reader, when are you planning to make this easy Indian chicken curry?

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section further below!

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Quick Peri Peri Chicken [Copycat] »

Comments

Dula says

March 29, 2018 at 6:15 am

In srilanka we always use coconut milk, for every dish

I don't know about the india

But indian people use curd i think
U can use curd instead of coconut milk

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  March 29, 2018 at 9:01 am
  
  Dula, this chicken curry is a coconut milk chicken curry version 🙂 and is based on Goan chicken curry recipes. Goa is a region in India.
  
  Reply
Carlos Peres da Costa says

October 22, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Regarding Chicken or Fish curries 1. generally indians prize more the taste of the curry ( to go with rice or chappati ) rather than the taste and size of meat or fish.
2. Many people prefer to marinate the meat or fish with part of the massala- so that it permeates the pieces and then fry. Next the onions are stir fried (dorée), the remaining massala,, the fried meat or fish and finally coconut juice, all cooked under slow fire.

Would like to know your opinion in this regard.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 23, 2017 at 12:33 pm
  
  True Carlos you are right,
  Cooking a chicken curry in clay pots over a wooden fire is definitely the way to go for an authentic and flavor rich chicken curry.
  However, this post is an easy one-pot Indian chicken curry. It's for all those, and mostly the hard working ladies, who are tight in time. All those people who have a full time job and a house and family to take care of. And nowadays it's a fact, 24 hours are not enough, so from scratch made dishes with real ingredients that take up less of our time and effort, are much welcomed in our society.
  
  Reply
Anu says

October 22, 2017 at 1:13 pm

As a vegetarian, an obvious question I have is - Can I just replace Chicken with some vegetables and make this curry?

As a North Indian, coconut based curries are not a usual thing for us, we usually make onion tomato based curry with garam masala as the primary masala in it.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 23, 2017 at 12:39 pm
  
  thank you for your question Anu,
  Eventfully you could however, the ingredients would have needed to be changed. In that case you could make it with potato and cauliflower and peas or similar. And we would have to add more flavor by adding different spices and herbs such as fresh curry leaves and maybe a souring agent. Adding more flavor would be needed as chicken, and especially the bones, tend to harbor a lot of rich aromas which lend the curry the characteristic flavor print.
  In that sense, I will make sure to share a coconut based veg curry soon. For now i can recommend the Drumstick pod (Moringa) vegetable curry and the sorak curry, which are both very goan coconut curries, if you want to try more coconut based curry cooking. 🙂
  
  Reply
Cecilia says

October 19, 2017 at 9:06 pm

Wonderful recipe! I just love Indian food!

Reply
simi says

October 18, 2017 at 10:27 pm

That is an easy peasy chicken curry. Perfect for a weekday meal.

Reply
Eva Taylor says

October 18, 2017 at 5:49 pm

I recently cooked for an Indian chef from her cookbook for a morning show demonstration, she was appalled at how complicated and heavy non-Indians make Indian food; this recipe presents Indian food with simplicity and full-flavours that it was meant to have. You are fortunate to have your MIL teach you to cook real Indian food.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 23, 2017 at 12:54 pm
  
  I absolutely agree, it's gold worth that she taught me her food preparing habits. Also the credit goes to my sister in laws, they have a great hand for tasty food.
  
  I think so there are two main different "Indian" foods. The Indian subcontinent food and the Indian food abroad, so to say the British/American etc Indian food. I think they call it Balti food. Already Indian food in India itself has many shades as each community has different food and cooking methods. But, the Indian food in the rest of the world can be rarely compared to what is there in India.
  
  Balti food kind of developed from modified Punjabi cuisine, I think? It's often very rich in cream and butter and the spices are off half the time. I went to a Indian restaurant in Austria, in the alps. It was run by Indians. When they saw us coming they looked nervous as my husband had come along with me and it's obvious that he is Indian. Local Austrians had said how amazing this place was and how tasty the food was. The restaurant itself was full. We ordered butter chicken, nan and something else, which I can't recall now. It was horrible and tasted very off, one of my worst meals ever. I realized in fact it tasted a bit like Austrian food repackaged into Indian inspired flavors. It was really weird. So basically, Indian restaurants abroad figured that the only way to be profitable is to adapt to the local taste preferences. And that, apparently has been the norm and trend in most Indian food places in Europe in most probably world wide.
  
  Reply
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says

October 17, 2017 at 12:50 am

I love love love a good Indian chicken curry! It's the most ultimate comfort food and the fact that this is made in one pot makes this even better!

Reply
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

October 16, 2017 at 7:49 pm

All your food appeals to me, but this one in particular...I'm forever ordering my Indian take-out "extra spicy" and it never lives up to my expectations...time to take matters into my own kitchen!

Reply
Anna Hettick says

October 16, 2017 at 7:34 pm

This looks so good!! I have just recently tried a curry recipe (never made it before) and my family loved it so now I am looking for more! Can't wait to try this one out! 🙂

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Natalia says

October 16, 2017 at 7:18 pm

I love Indian food and this chicken curry looks amazingly delicious!

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Tara says

October 16, 2017 at 6:32 pm

Such a perfect one-pot weeknight meal! We don't eat curry nearly enough and I love how easily this one comes together. Yum!

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Rezica says

May 20, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Can I used water instead of coconut milk becoz i dont like milk

Reply
Chickie says

March 16, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Sounds delicious... but one question... why on earth are you rinsing and drying chicken?

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  March 16, 2014 at 8:04 pm
  
  Hi there. I rinse the chicken for hygienic reasons and drying it a bit helps so that less liquid accumulates. You don't have to pat dry it but I find it easier to handle. You want to stir fry the chicken with as little liquids as possible but with the lemon juice marination. Hope that helps and let me know if something else is unclear.
  
  Reply
Noreen Duncan says

December 05, 2013 at 6:41 am

Hi Helena your quick and easy Curry made with chicken is delicious, thanks a lot.X

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  December 05, 2013 at 3:32 pm
  
  Hi Norren, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a short feedback. Very much appreciated and I am happy to hear of course that you enjoyed it. =) Take care!
  
  Reply
Terra says

November 03, 2013 at 8:40 am

You know I have never made a curry dish in any way. Hubby is allergic to turmeric, and he loves curry.....kinda a bummer. Your recipe looks so hearty and delicious! Perfect dish on these cool days here in the U.S. 🙂 Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra

Reply
Nami | Just One Cookbook says

October 31, 2013 at 2:17 am

I love curry, and especially quick and easy one! 😉 I usually make extra so that I can serve at least two days. 😀 (and no one minds as we all love curry!).

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Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

October 27, 2013 at 9:25 pm

Simple and delicious curry, with no fuss ingredients -- i'm having a huge craving!!!

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Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

October 26, 2013 at 5:58 pm

My grandmother introduced my to her curry ages ago, and it is one of my favorite spicy stews to make. Can't beat a quick and easy one Helene!

Reply
Ash-foodfashionparty says

October 24, 2013 at 10:37 pm

The curry looks so nice Helene. Simple and perfect. I love that you've used the bones too, I think, it's the best way to add flavor into curries.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:11 pm
  
  For sure the bones give the dish a flavour depth which you won't get in a dish without. Thanks for your comment!
  
  Reply
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

October 24, 2013 at 7:33 pm

You had me at easy (and def at the coconut milk).

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:13 pm
  
  😛
  
  Reply
Jamie says

October 24, 2013 at 5:13 pm

This is the kind of dish I love discovering and making for my family. I have been making a quick and easy chicken curry I got off of Meeta's blog but now I'll try this one! Quick, easy and flavorful... my family will love it!

btw cannot pin this post 🙁 It doesn't work.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:16 pm
  
  Let me know later on how they liked it Jamie! 🙂 about the pin thing... Did you try using the bottom pin button at the end of the post? Also try clearing your browser cache that should help. I have the same issue sometimes with other pages and I found that clearing the cache helped.
  
  Reply
easyfoodsmith says

October 24, 2013 at 12:47 pm

The curry looks scrumptious and it sounds perfect when in a jiffy.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:17 pm
  
  Thank you, you will definitely enjoy this chicken curry
  
  Reply
Joanne says

October 23, 2013 at 9:43 pm

I love how quick this is! Definite win.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:17 pm
  
  Complete time saver 🙂
  
  Reply
Kitchen Belleicious says

October 23, 2013 at 8:21 am

just simply gorgeous and looks delicious

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:18 pm
  
  Thank you!
  
  Reply
Jeanette says

October 23, 2013 at 7:15 am

I love how quick and easy this recipe is Helene - it looks fabulous!

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:18 pm
  
  Thank you for your compliment Jeanette 🙂
  
  Reply
Sissi says

October 22, 2013 at 2:40 pm

We, Europeans, don't cook often enough with bones. I suppose because of the table manners issue... Impossible to eat a curry with bones in an elegant way but who cares if we are at home and have no guests 😉 It must taste wonderful! I keep your recipe and next time I'll try to leave the bones (I'll experiment with my cleaver) to see the difference in flavours.

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:23 pm
  
  I think it's for sure a difference in flavours Sissi. Honestly I have always been irked by the thought of cooking meat with bones (because of the small bones) but it's necessary to give the flavours to the curry dish. 🙂
  
  Reply
Hotly Spiced says

October 22, 2013 at 9:20 am

That's a great looking curry, Helene and it doesn't require a lot of time or ingredients which makes it perfect for me! xx

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  October 25, 2013 at 6:24 pm
  
  I hope you will treasure the recipe as much as I do. It has saved me a couple of times 😉
  
  Reply
Vicki Bensinger says

October 22, 2013 at 4:13 am

I've seen so many recipes this week already using curry. I love curry but unfortunately my family doesn't. This looks wonderful. I am going to have to try this sometime when they aren't around.

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Ramona says

October 22, 2013 at 2:39 am

You have me drooling here... chicken curry is close to my heart. 🙂

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Asmita says

October 22, 2013 at 2:27 am

Give me a bowl of chicken curry and rice and I am all set. Comfort food at it's best! This curry looks so inviting and delicious!

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Wizzy says

October 22, 2013 at 2:27 am

Coconut milk in curry is not often done in my country although I know it is quite flavourful. Yours looks perfect.

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Kate (@KatefromScratch) says

October 21, 2013 at 11:00 pm

Fantastic recipe. I love the ease of it and you totally had me with the short ingredients list. I'll be making this one very soon.

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[email protected]'s Recipes says

October 21, 2013 at 10:03 pm

The gravy looks so good! I have some bread ready for that!

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cquek says

October 21, 2013 at 8:28 pm

what beautiful colors and delicious flavors!

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Joanne T Ferguson says

October 21, 2013 at 6:42 am

G'day! For a curry in a hurry Helene, you dish looks delish, true!
Wish I could have a taste of it right now too!
Cheers! Joanne

Reply
foodwanderings says

October 21, 2013 at 10:36 am

Funny you just posted this curry recipe. Just a couple of days ago we had a similar one with coconut milk at a local Indian restaurant. I know sometimes you just need to attend to life no worries we are here. Will be patiently waiting! 🙂

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[email protected] says

October 20, 2013 at 9:40 pm

Great looking dish! I love any and all curries. Question, though: in the Ingredients you list lime, in Step 1 of the instructions you're using lemon. I assume lemon is the citrus to use? Anyway, really good recipe - thanks.

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Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

October 20, 2013 at 8:14 pm

I've been looking for ideas for curry that John's dad can eat. Really spicy food leaves him eating antacid tablets. 🙂 This looks really good!

Reply
[email protected] says

October 20, 2013 at 7:29 pm

This curry looks sooooo good Helene....So simple, and yet delightful.

Reply
Rosa says

October 20, 2013 at 6:51 pm

A scrumptious and comforting curry!

Cheers,

Rosa

Reply