Classic Chicken Curry — Easy Stove-Top Curry Recipe
Authentic Indian Chicken Curry made with tender chicken, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and warm spices. Bold, fragrant, and deeply satisfying—perfect with rice or naan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs bone-in chicken pieces
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 green cardamoms
- 4 cloves
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½–1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1½ cups water
Instructions
- Optional: Marinate chicken with salt, turmeric, and yogurt for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pot. Add whole spices and sauté 30 seconds.
- Add onions. Cook 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes and ground spices. Cook until oil separates (8–10 minutes).
- Add chicken. Brown for 5–7 minutes.
- Add water. Simmer covered for 30 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Stir in garam masala and cilantro. Simmer 5 more minutes.
- Serve hot with rice or naan.
Notes
- Adjust chili powder to control heat.
- Add cream or coconut milk for richness.
- Can be made ahead and freezes well.