Chicken Curry

Chicken curry! What is it? And, where does it come from? The word curry means sauce. In India. cooking with spices is considered a science. Despite what many people think, curry does not involve chucking all the spices in the pot. There has to be a careful balance of spices to bring out the warmth of the flavors.

Interestingly, curry spread across the world through the spice routes and has developed in many different ways across the world. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, South Africa have their own variations of it.

In India, Chicken curry varies according to the region. In Northern India, it is common to use yogurt, ghee and milder spices. Whereas in South India, there is a desire for stronger flavors such as tamarind, and spicier flavors. Unlike, Northern Indians that enjoy Yogurt, South Indians prefer using Coconut milk.

This recipe is the South African version of Chicken Curry and it uses Sour milk. However, you can use Yogurt or Coconut milk in the same proportions as a variation.

Coconut milk will give your curry a thick and creamy consistency which will be slightly sweet. On the other hand, yogurt will balance the spices of the curry and create a creamy texture. So what will Sour milk do? It will be the best of both worlds, it will provide a similar purpose such as yogurt or coconut milk.

What do you Need to Make Chicken Curry?

Chicken, Ginger and Garlic Paste, Sour milk, Black Pepper, Cumin seeds, Crushed chili, Chili powder, Turmeric powder, Garam masala, Cardamom powder, Coriander power, Cumin powder, Pickle masala.

Imagine indulging in a delicious chicken curry that has a burst of flavor in every bite! This dish uses a whole juicy chicken that is chopped into pieces and simmered in a rich curry sauce that is made using a mix of spices. The warmth of the spices such as black pepper, cumin seeds, crushed chili, chili powder and turmeric create the perfect blend between heat and depth. Coriander powder and cumin powder add richness, whilst crushed cumin powder gives the curry a smoky note.

Pickle masala is the wild card in this chicken curry and adds an exciting tang to this dish. Sour milk brings the curry together and creates a mouthwatering sauce. You will love this curry with roti and your favorite pickle.

Instructions

Fry the onions: Add cooking oil to your pot. Sunflower oil was used, other substitutes include avocado oil. Roughly chop up your onions, add it to a pot with cumin seeds. Let this cook until the onions have browned, this will take approximately eight minutes on medium low heat.

The creamy base: Add the Sour milk to a large bowl. Add crushed chili powder, chili powder and pickle masala to the bowl of yogurt. Add turmeric powder. Add Ground black pepper, coriander powder and cardamom powder to the bowl of yogurt. Add the salt, ginger & garlic paste.

Tomatoes: In this recipe, we used ‘tomatoes from a can‘, you can also use fresh tomatoes as an option. If you are choosing tomatoes from a can, diced tomatoes will also work.

What is Garam Masala? This spice is a combination of Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, Cinnamon sticks, Cardamom pods (green and/or black), Cloves, Black peppercorns, Nutmeg, Mace and Bay leaves.

Chicken: Add the freshly washed, cleaned chicken to the bowl with the spices + yogurt and mix well. Add the cubed potatoes. Use a spoon to mix the chicken with the sour milk & spices. Add three sliced chilies.

Garnish: Fry an onion until it has caramelized with a few cinnamon sticks. Add cooking oil to your pot. Bring the temperature of the stove to medium high heat. Place the chicken masala into a pot and let it simmer on high heat for 10 minutes. Add the toppings on the chicken curry, Let it cook for 1 hr, 50 minutes on medium low heat.

That’s it! Chicken Curry is a super easy dish to put together, it is convenient to cook on days when you feel for spicy food. One of the best parts about this curry is that it is the type of food that you can prepare for a fancy meal or an afternoon at home with the family.

What to Serve with Chicken Curry?

There are so many things that you can serve alongside a Chicken curry, this dish is typically eaten with an array of different side-dishes and pickles. Most Indian homes will have several type of different curries that are enjoyed during the main meal. The thing about curries is that they taste better with time.

The spices will still infuse into the sauce as it sits in the fridge and the flavor will deepen. We recommend that you serve this Chicken curry with Naan, flatbread, raita, Rice, Indian pickles such as Lemon pickle or a healthy Green salad.

How to Store Chicken Curry?

Store in the pot or in an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If choosing to freeze, place in the freezer in a container and store for two to three months.