Top 13 Chicken Curry Recipes

A Variety of Chicken Curry Recipes to Suit Every Palate

Chicken curry is a beloved dish that brings warmth and comfort, especially during the cooler months. With a wide range of recipes available, there’s something for everyone — whether you prefer your curry spicy, mild, or somewhere in between. From traditional Thai green chicken curry to a mellow butter chicken, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Essential Spices for a Flavorful Chicken Curry

To create a punchy, fragrant, and delicious chicken curry, certain spices are essential. Clove, coriander, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and carom are commonly used to build depth of flavor. Garam masala adds a rich aroma, while black pepper and cayenne pepper provide a welcome hit of heat. If you’re short on time, a hint of curry powder can be a quick fix to add some spice to your dish.

For those who have more time to spare, making your own curry paste by hand can elevate your meal. This method allows you to control the flavors and ensure a more authentic taste. One popular recipe to try is Palisa Anderson’s gaeng keow wan gai, which offers a fresh and vibrant twist on traditional Thai curry.

Regional Variations and Unique Flavors

If you’re looking for a spicy-sour kick, the Chiang Mai curry is a great choice. It sings with ginger and tamarind, offering a refreshing and zesty flavor. Alternatively, if you prefer an earthy and soupy dish, the ohn no khao swè (Burmese curry chicken noodle soup) is perfect. Its combination of noodles and spice provides a comforting and hearty meal.

For those who enjoy a milder flavor, a classic butter chicken recipe might be just what you need. Greek yoghurt gives the curry sauce a gentler, creamier heat, making it ideal for those who prefer a slow burn. Whether you serve your curry with naan or rice, or if you like coconut milk or yoghurt, there’s a recipe to suit your taste.

Quick and Easy Options for Busy Days

If you’re short on time, there are several fast recipes that deliver excellent results without the hassle. The Australian Gourmet Traveller’s fast recipe for Thai chicken curry and chicken katsu curry are both quick and flavorful options. These recipes require minimal ingredients and preparation time, making them perfect for busy days.

Another quick option is the Malaysian-style spicy roast chicken (Ayam percik), which is swimming in a spicy gravy. This traditional recipe is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Similarly, the yellow curry of chicken is a classic Thai dish that can be made in a matter of minutes.

Hearty and Comforting Dishes

For a more substantial meal, the chicken and bamboo-shoot yellow curry with roti and rice offers a delightful combination of flavors. This dish is not only tasty but also filling, making it a great choice for a hearty dinner. The Chiang Mai chicken curry, with its slightly sour and light flavor, is another excellent option that showcases the unique characteristics of northern Thai cuisine.

The mild chicken curry, inspired by India’s murgh makhani, is a perfect choice for those who prefer a gentler flavor. This recipe uses a blend of spices and creamy elements to create a rich and satisfying dish. Meanwhile, the navy curry, Japan’s take on curry, delivers a balance of spice, sweetness, and comfort.

How to Make the Best Chicken Curry

There are many ways to make a chicken curry, depending on your time and resources. The simplest approach involves using store-bought curry paste and a cut of chicken of your choosing. For a more elaborate version, you might spend a day in the kitchen pounding your own curry paste with a mortar and pestle. While this process requires more effort, it can result in a truly exceptional dish.

Most recipes strike a comfortable middle ground, involving decently long ingredient lists and a couple of hours’ worth of work for excellent results. For example, the Malaysian-style roast chicken with a Kelantan-style curry sauce takes less than an hour and only a handful of ingredients, yielding a tender roast chicken with a rich sauce. Similarly, the simple butter chicken needs just over half an hour to prepare.

If you’re willing to put in the effort, the chicken and bamboo shoot yellow curry is a worthwhile endeavor. This recipe requires a few hours of work, plus an extra day for the naan if you’re keen to commit. However, the silky, fragrant dish you’ll be left with is well worth the effort.

Key Ingredients for a Perfect Chicken Curry

Typically, the ingredients of chicken curry involve essential spices like clove, coriander, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and garam masala to make the curry paste. Naturally, your favorite cut of chicken is thrown in (we recommend thigh for its extra fat content and tenderness). Then, a lot (but not all!) chicken curry recipes also call for coconut milk or cream for that luxuriously rich and fragrant sauce that gets ladled over fluffy rice or scooped up by roti or naan.

Chicken and bamboo-shoot yellow curry with roti and rice

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for chicken and bamboo-shoot yellow curry with roti and rice.

Malaysian-style spicy roast chicken (Ayam percik)

A traditional Malaysian chicken recipe swimming in spicy gravy.

Chiang Mai chicken curry

This northern Thai-style Chiang Mai curry is flavoured with ginger as well as turmeric. It’s slightly sour and deliciously light.

Mild chicken curry

With India’s murgh makhani as our culinary inspiration.

Thai chicken curry

Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for Thai chicken curry

Chicken katsu curry

Australian Gourmet Traveller fast recipe for chicken katsu curry.

Yellow curry of chicken

Spice up your life with this classic Thai curry.

Ohn no khao swè (Burmese curry chicken noodle soup)

The right combination of noodles and spice to warm you from the inside out.

Palisa Anderson’s gaeng keow wan gai (Thai green chicken curry)

Drop that takeaway menu. Once you’ve tried making curry paste from scratch, you’ll never look back.