Ingredients
Spices
- 2 tablespoons yellow curry powder
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Protein
- 1 & 1/2 pounds chicken breast (chopped into bite-size pieces)
Liquids
- 1 13-ounce can coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
Produce
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded and chopped)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (3-4 cloves, smashed and minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (peeled and minced)
- 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
Other
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Toast Spices: In a large 12-inch dry sauté skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning until fragrant. Remove from heat and transfer toasted spices to a small bowl.
- Prepare Chicken: Chop 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast into 1-2 inch bite-size pieces. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and half of the toasted spices. Stir well to coat all pieces evenly.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the entire can (13 ounces) of coconut milk over the chicken and toss to combine. Let the chicken marinate briefly while preparing vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Chop 1 medium onion and seed and chop 1 jalapeno to reduce spiciness unless you prefer it hot. Smash and mince 3-4 cloves of garlic to yield about 1 tablespoon and peel and mince 1 tablespoon fresh ginger.
- Sauté Onions and Spices: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chopped onion, jalapeno, and the remaining half of toasted spices. Sauté for 4-6 minutes until onions turn translucent, stirring occasionally and adding a little more oil if spices start sticking.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to brown. Adjust heat or add oil if needed.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Cook Chicken Curry: Add the marinated chicken along with coconut milk and 1 cup chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and maintain a slow simmer with gentle bubbles. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes before adding thickener.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the simmering curry to thicken the sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Continue simmering gently on low heat for 5-8 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Test by splitting a piece to ensure there is no pink inside. Avoid overcooking to keep chicken tender.
- Add Cilantro and Serve: Stir in chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro just before removing from heat. Serve the curry hot with jasmine or basmati rice, homemade naan, or buttery roti.
Notes
- To reduce heat, remove jalapeno seeds before chopping.
- Use a spoon to peel ginger easily and freeze leftovers for future recipes.
- Toast spices carefully to prevent burning and intensify flavor.
- If spices stick during sautéing, add a little more olive oil.
- Test chicken doneness by splitting a piece with a spoon; it should be white all the way through.
- Serve with rice or traditional Indian breads for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian