Spiced Chicken Curry Ginger Garlic Jalapeño (Printable)
Tender chicken in aromatic spice blend with fresh ginger, garlic, and jalapeño for warming comfort.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Marinade
02 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
05 - 1 tsp salt
→ Aromatics & Vegetables
06 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
07 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
08 - 1.5-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
09 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
11 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
→ Spices
12 - 2 tsp ground coriander
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1 tsp garam masala
15 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
16 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
17 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Additional
18 - 1/2 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
19 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, and salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to coat all pieces. Marinate for 15 minutes up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden and soft, approximately 5-7 minutes.
03 - Add minced ginger, garlic, and chopped jalapeños to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and beginning to break down, forming a base for the sauce.
05 - Sprinkle coriander, cumin, garam masala, cinnamon, chili powder, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to release essential oils and intensify flavors.
06 - Add marinated chicken pieces to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
07 - Pour in water or broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened to desired consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust salt or heat level as needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot accompanied by steamed rice or warm naan bread.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender without any fancy techniques
- You can adjust the heat exactly to your liking by controlling the jalapeños
02 -
- Do not skip the yogurt marinade even if you are pressed for time
- Letting the spices bloom in hot oil before adding liquid is the secret to restaurant quality flavor
03 -
- Making this a day ahead lets the flavors meld and intensify
- Coconut milk stirred in at the end creates the creamiest texture