Delicious South Indian Inspired Chicken Curry
Summary
- A simple and wholesome South Indian inspired chicken curry, featuring warming spices and boneless chicken thighs. The chicken is marinated in ginger-garlic and turmeric, then cooked with a freshly ground spice blend, onions, and tomatoes, resulting in a flavorful and peppery dish.
All Ingredients - For Marinade
- Ginger garlic (chopped) 3 tbsp
- Turmeric 1 tsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Sunflower oil 2 tbsp
- Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, chopped into 1-inch pieces) 10
All Ingredients - For Spice Blend
- Black peppercorns 1 tbsp
- Cumin seeds 1 tbsp
- Coriander seeds 1 tbsp
- Cloves 1 tsp
- Dried red chilies 4-6
All Ingredients - For Curry Base
- Sunflower oil 2 tbsp
- Mustard seeds 1 tsp
- Curry leaves a few
- Onions (thinly sliced) 3
- Tomatoes (chopped) 2
- Boiling water 100 ml
All Ingredients - For Serving (Optional)
- Red onions (thinly sliced) 1
- Lemon juice to taste
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Chilli powder a bit
Tools You'll Need
- Pan
- Bowl
Plan Ahead
Up to 30 min of hands-off time you can shift to earlier.
- Step 3 · Overnight30 min
…r and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes (or longer, up to overnight, especially if using bone-in chicken).
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Curry leaves?
- 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Lemon juice?
- Lime juice (1:1)
- 1/2 the amount white vinegar — In dressings, savory dishes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp chopped ginger garlic, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp sunflower oil. Mix well until a paste forms.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Trim any excess fat from 10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chop each thigh into approximately 1-inch pieces.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Add the chopped chicken to the marinade. Mix thoroughly to coat all the chicken pieces. Cover and set aside to for at least (or longer, up to overnight, especially if using bone-in chicken).
Step 4: Prepare the Spice Blend
Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp black peppercorns, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp cloves, and 4-6 dried red chilies (broken up). Dry roast for about , stirring constantly, until aromatic and the spices slightly change color. Turn off the heat.
Step 5: Crush the Spices
Transfer the roasted spices to a pestle and mortar. Let them cool down for . Once cooled, crush them into a coarse powder.
Step 6: Sauté Onions
Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and let them pop. Add a few curry leaves. Then add 3 thinly sliced onions. the heat to medium-low and cook for about , stirring occasionally, until the onions are beautifully golden brown.
Step 7: Add Tomatoes
Add 2 chopped tomatoes to the pan with the onions. Continue to cook for another , stirring, until the tomatoes have softened.
Step 8: Sear the Chicken
Increase the heat to high. Add the chicken to the pan. Cook on high heat without stirring for to allow the chicken to and develop some color. Then stir and continue cooking for another .
Step 9: Add Spices and Simmer
the heat to medium. Add the freshly crushed spice blend to the chicken and mix well. Pour in 100ml of boiling water. Stir to combine.
Step 10: Cook the Curry
Lower the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let the curry for , or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 11: Serve
Serve the hot chicken curry with rice and a side of pickled red onions (made with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili powder).
Pro Tips
• Marinate chicken longer if possible (overnight for bone-in, at least 1 hour for boneless) for deeper flavor.
• Using a pestle and mortar for the spice blend creates a coarser texture, enhancing the dish's character.
Variations
• This recipe can be made with bone-in chicken, but ensure to marinate it for at least an hour for best results.
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