Easy Chicken Curry (Print Version)

Comforting, creamy chicken curry with aromatic spices and tangy yogurt. Ready in 45 minutes for busy weeknights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound 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, optional
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
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

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat the oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft and golden, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until 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 pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
05 - Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and break down.
06 - Lower the heat and stir in the yogurt, mixing well. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Pour in the water and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for another 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened.
08 - Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
09 - Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less than an hour but tastes like you simmered it all day with care and patience.
  • The yogurt adds a tangy creaminess that balances the spices in a way that feels both bright and comforting.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld and deepen.
02 -
  • Add the yogurt slowly over low heat or it will curdle and turn grainy instead of creamy.
  • Blooming the spices in oil for just a minute transforms them from dusty powder into fragrant, complex flavor.
  • Don't rush the onions, golden and soft onions are the foundation of a sauce that tastes rich and deep.
03 -
  • Let the curry rest for 10 minutes after cooking so the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors settle into each other.
  • Toast your curry powder in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding it to the dish for a deeper, more complex flavor.
  • Always taste before serving and adjust the salt, a little extra can make all the difference between good and unforgettable.
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