Marinate

Punjabi-Style Chicken Curry

by:
August 28, 2020
5
28 Ratings
Punjabi-Style Chicken Curry
Photo by Chetna Makan
  • Prep time 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook time 45 minutes
  • Serves 4
What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Punjabi-Style Chicken Curry
Ingredients
  • Chicken
  • 1/4 cup natural yogurt (heaping)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
  • Curry
  • 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 handful of fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
Directions
  1. Combine the yogurt with the salt, spices, garlic, and ginger in a bowl, and mix well. Add the chicken thighs and make sure that the chicken is coated well in the yogurt marinade. Let it rest overnight, or 1 hour at least, in the fridge.
  2. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds and bay leaf. Once they start to sizzle, add the onions and cook for 15 minutes, until a lovely golden color. Now add the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, until softened. Add the spices and salt, and cook for 1 minute. Add the marinated chicken, mix well, and cover. Cook for 40 to 45 minutes over low heat until the chicken is cooked through.
  3. Once you have cooked the curry, let it rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This makes the curry really intense and the chicken soaks up the flavors better. Sprinkle with some coriander and serve.
Tags:

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Maureen O'Neal
    Maureen O'Neal
  • Meredith Camilleri
    Meredith Camilleri
  • Megan
    Megan
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • Aimee Bell
    Aimee Bell

Popular on Food52

44 Reviews

Sonia
Sonia October 14, 2023
This recipe has a special place in my menu, it’s delicious, a lot of flavour. the important part is easy to follow the recipe and better if you watched the video❤️
 
Tucker
Tucker July 3, 2023
This is a really lovely Chicken Masala and being simple and quick and with finally a wonderful taste puts it right at the top.

Thank you so much
 
danny.jmh
danny.jmh December 29, 2022
A really delicious curry with an excellent video to follow step-by-step. Absolutely beautiful taste.
 
Wildcard
Wildcard July 20, 2022
I did not imagine this recipe would taste so good. Absolutely 10/10 for me
 
Maureen O.
Maureen O. June 7, 2022
Wow, amazing flavors! Was definitely too spicy for me and my family but I cut with some extra tomato/coconut cream and it mellowed as it sat for a bit and made a cooling yogurt/mint/cucumber side. Technique was perfect and marinated chicken thighs overnight. Chicken was so tender. We wish we had more leftovers! Will make again and again and again albeit with less chili powder.
 
DC's P.
DC's P. February 17, 2022
A delicious curry that is as good as the wonderful curry made by an Indian restaurant near my home. It takes a little time to make the dish but well worth it.
 
Ms. L.
Ms. L. February 9, 2022
I absolutely love this recipe! The marinade is super simple and makes the chicken so tender. The curry comes together so easily and my house smells incredible while it’s cooking. I haven’t made it to the full hour of “sitting” after it cooks because I don’t have that much willpower when I can smell how amazing it is. This has become a favorite when I’m looking for deliciously seasoned comfort food!
 
Cheryl H.
Cheryl H. December 29, 2021
I almost cried eating this, it was so good. I froze portions of it and it was perfect for defrosting later in the week for a quick meal. There was some separation but didn't affect the taste.
 
Kristian
Kristian December 12, 2021
Beautiful! I added some whole dried Kashmiri chillies along with the marinated chicken and the result was glorious. I recommend frying the discarded chicken skin in the pan just after emptying the curry out; it soaks up the spicy flavors well.
 
lostinnotts
lostinnotts June 10, 2021
yummy....
love the pink pan as well.
 
lavendargirl
lavendargirl May 30, 2021
Is there any replacement for the yogurt? I am dairy intolerant....
 
mickey0690
mickey0690 February 10, 2022
Me too! I’ve cooked this with coconut yogurt, plain & unsweetened and it’s delicious. Loved by my Pakistani partner too!
 
mj
mj March 29, 2021
This chicken curry is fantastic! My family loved every morsel. Question: Do you think you could freeze it?
 
SunniH
SunniH March 30, 2021
Hey mj, I was bought up on this curry. I always freeze it as its just me n my husband. Use it within a month.
 
Meredith C.
Meredith C. February 26, 2021
This recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it! I loved the pink-ish wok you used, where is it from? Thanks!
 
SunniH
SunniH January 2, 2021
I've not tried north indian chicken curry apart from my mum's recipe. However I tried this and it was outstanding (shhhhhh!...... don't tell mum)

Thank you Chetna M for sharing. I'm huge foodie and I've tried allot of your dishes and seriously impressed. Thank you xxx
 
SunniH
SunniH January 2, 2021
I've not tried north indian chicken curry apart from my mum's recipe. However I tried this and it was outstanding (shhhhhh...... don't tell mum)

Thank you Chetna M for sharing. I'm huge foodie and I've tried allot of your dishes and seriously impressed. Thank you xxx
 
Meg034
Meg034 December 22, 2020
Loved this! It turned out great. I'm redoing the recipe tonight with chickpeas. I hope it turns out just as delicious! I also started following Chetna on her own Youtube channel. Great recipes. I will try more of them over the holidays. :)

Thank you!!
 
Kitty
Kitty October 18, 2020
This is the best curry I've ever made, hands down! I followed the recipe exactly as written, but added a bit of water as suggested in the video. It was perfect. My eleven and twelve year old boys devoured it. Thank you, Chetna! Does anyone know what kind of pot that is?
 
Chetna M.
Chetna M. November 16, 2020
So glad to hear that you and your boys loved this. The pan is from a uk company called Haufson.
 
Megan
Megan October 11, 2020
What a lovely dish for a Sunday night... with leftovers for tomorrow! We really enjoyed this. It is so simple to make, but the time involved means it would not work for our weeknight schedule. Really looking forward to the leftovers tomorrow. I made it exactly as written, except that my chicken thighs were boneless, and I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you, Chetna!
 
Chetna M.
Chetna M. November 16, 2020
You are very welcome Megan!
 
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames September 25, 2020
This one's a keeper. I knew it was going to be delicious when I saw that Chetna created it. Highly recommend. ;o)
 
Chetna M.
Chetna M. November 16, 2020
Thanks a lot and so pleased to hear that you enjoyed it
 
Aimee B.
Aimee B. September 20, 2020
Flavors are fabulous but my sauce didn’t thicken up. Any suggestions?
 
Chetna M.
Chetna M. November 16, 2020
The sauce is not really thick in this one, it is a watery sauce with lots of flavour!