Easy Punjabi Chicken Curry

If soup is my comfort food, curry is a treat. Soup soothes my soul but curry stirs excitement. What kind of spices is in the curry? Are there potatoes in it? Will it be too spicy? The thing with curries is that you’ll never know until you take a bite.

I have long searched for a simple and satisfying curry recipe. I’ve tried many chicken curries – Southern Indian curry with spices like cinnamon and curry with lemongrass for example – but somehow I never make them much. Then I found this Punjabi-style chicken curry and been making it rather often.

It’s the easiest chicken curry that I’ve cooked – so I don’t feel overwhelmed with all the spices and steps. The only three spices involved are: curry powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Besides, the curry is much milder – not too hot or spicy. I like to enjoy my curry without hissing from (over) generous amount of chillies.

This recipe is from Aunty Gucci, a Punjabi teacher who claims that she doesn’t like to cook, but makes delicious chapati and curry effortlessly. Maybe because of the fact that she doesn’t like cooking complicated meals that makes her recipe so easy to follow. Instead of using coconut milk (which you can’t keep for long), she uses coconut cream powder instead. How clever!

If you like to make a pot of chicken curry that is easy, not too spicy, and delicious, this recipe is for you.

TOOLS

• Pot/Wok with lid
• Blender
• Chopping board + knives + peeler

ACTIVE TIME

25 minutes

RECIPE CARD

SHORT RECIPE

Blend: 5 red onions + 10 cloves garlic + 1 inch ginger + 2 red chili + 1 sprig coriander + 1 tomato + 2 tbsp curry powder + 1.5 tbsp coriander powder + 1.5 tbsp cumin powder. Cook paste in 1/2 cup of oil for 10-15min. Add 2 chopped chicken thigh + 2 peeled potatoes + 2 cups of water. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Flavour with 2 tbsp coconut powder + 1.5 tsp salt.

COOKING TIPS

1. Curry consistency You can adjust the consistency – wet or dry. If you like more sauce to dip with chapati or to pour over rice, then dish out before it turns dry. If you like drier curry, let more water evaporate.
2. Freeze and reheat I like to make them to freeze. When you want to reheat it, just add a little water and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave, but I like reheating on a small pan which I also use to serve (pictured).
3. Coconut cream powder. Using santan powder is so much more convenient. That’s because when I open the UHT coconut milk, I’ll have leftover coconut milk which I may not need yet. I think coconut cream powder is good enough for everyday meal. However, Aunty Gucci told me that coconut milk will make this dish tastes much better.
4. Grind your own coriander and cumin powder. I’ve made this dish a few times. The first time, Aunty Gucci gave me the spices she grinded. The second time, I bought it from the supermarket. Boy, I can tell the difference; the freshly grinded ones is so much more fragrant. I was told a good quality curry powder is also important. Aunty Gucci suggested Baba’s brand (meat) curry powder.

Good luck!