Easy Chicken Curry (Printer-friendly)

Creamy chicken curry with aromatic spices and tangy yogurt. Quick weeknight dinner ready in 45 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 inch ginger, grated
05 - 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped

→ Dairy

06 - 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
07 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

→ Spices

08 - 2 tablespoons curry powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
11 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Other

15 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
16 - 1/2 cup water
17 - Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat the oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.
03 - Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in the curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly and cook for 1 minute to activate the spice flavors.
05 - Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and break down into the sauce.
06 - Lower the heat and stir in the yogurt, mixing well to combine. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Pour in the water and heavy cream, stirring to combine thoroughly. Simmer gently for another 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
08 - Taste the curry and adjust the salt and spices as needed for desired flavor balance.
09 - Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you've been cooking all day, but you'll be sitting down to eat in under an hour.
  • The yogurt adds a gentle tang that balances the spices in a way that feels both familiar and exciting.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender even if you get distracted by a phone call or a kid asking for help with homework.
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle into each other.
02 -
  • Add the yogurt on low heat and stir constantly or it will curdle and turn grainy instead of creamy.
  • Let the spices cook for a full minute after adding them to the chicken so they release their oils and deepen in flavor.
  • If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash more water; if it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
03 -
  • Use ghee instead of oil for a richer, more authentic flavor that adds a subtle nuttiness to the sauce.
  • Let the onions cook slowly and don't rush them; that golden sweetness is the backbone of the entire dish.
  • Taste the curry before serving and adjust the salt, spice, or a squeeze of lemon to make it sing exactly the way you like.
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