Chicken Jalfrezi is a popular Indian restaurant dish that you can make at home! Warmly spiced tomato base chicken curry in about 30 minutes!
Chicken curries like Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala are popular recipes that are easy to recreate at home whenever you are craving Indian Food. This Chicken Jalfrezi is just as simple to make and is full of the warm spices that make Indian curry dishes so delicious!
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Sabrina’s Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe
This Chicken Jalfrezi recipe is some of the easiest flavorful Indian food that anyone can make! It uses simple spices that you probably have on hand, there is no overnight marinating, and it only takes about 30 minutes for an easy and quick weeknight meal. Serve it with some naan bread and basmati rice, Chicken Jalfrezi for a tasty, filling dish that is as good as Indian takeaway!
One thing that sets this Chicken Jalfrezi recipe apart is that it is much milder than what you get from a restaurant or even most homemade versions. It is a mild, family-friendly Indian dinner recipe that the whole family can enjoy. But if you love spicy dishes, check out the Tips & Tricks section for ways to bring the fire!
Ingredients
- Aromatics: The base of this curry starts with sauteed grated onions. You grate the onion so it cooks quickly and releases more of their savory, pungent flavor. Garlic and ginger are also added, but add them after the onions cook a bit so they don’t burn.
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are great for stir fry and curry dishes because they a bit more natural fat so they are more tender, juicy, and flavorful. You can also use boneless chicken breast, but you may need to reduce the cook time because they cook quicker.
- Spices: The curry spice base for this Chicken Jalfrezi recipe is a simple blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. It has warm flavor without being too spicy.
- Tomatoes: You want to use a whole can of diced tomatoes, including the liquid, because they break down and the juices add to the actual sauce. This gives the dish a fresher tomato flavor than using tomato sauce. However, you could swap in tomato sauce but you’ll need another ½ cup or so of water
- Ghee: The ghee at the end helps add a bit more flavor and bring the whole sauce together to make it more smooth and rich. You can buy clarified butter at most larger grocery stores or make your own. Regular butter or coconut milk would also work.
- Cilantro: Cilantro adds a burst of freshness to help balance the warm spices and savory flavors. Chop a little extra to use as a garnish when you serve the jalfrezi.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
Skillet: You’ll need a large skillet, preferably a heavy bottomed pan or cast iron skillet, that is big enough to hold all the chicken pieces without being too crowded. You will need to cover the curry while it’s cooking so make sure to use a pan with a well fitting lid.
How to Make
Time needed: 35 minutes.
- Saute the Onions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions to the pan and saute until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger then cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Season the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the onion mixture then add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt to the pan. Stir well until the chicken and onions are evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Curry
Add the can of diced tomatoes including the juices and stir. Reduce the heat and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through, add the ghee and cilantro. Cook another 5 minutes uncovered then serve over rice with more fresh cilantro.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Like most stir-fry recipes, this Chicken Jalfrezi curry is best the same day it is cooked. However you can marinate the chicken thigh pieces in the spices for up to 24 hours.
Nutritional Facts
Tips & Tricks for Chicken Jalfrezi
Marinate the Chicken
Like a lot of traditional curry recipes, Chicken Jalfrezi usually calls to marinate the meat in the ground spices. While this recipe skips that step to make it quicker, marinating the chicken in the spice mix for even 10-15 minutes before cooking will give you a deeper flavor profile.
Make it Spicy
This is a mild version of Chicken Jalfrezi but there are a few ways to turn up the heat if you love spicy food.
- Cayenne pepper and red chili flakes are the easiest way to make it spicy. Start with a ¼ teaspoon with the spice mix, then add another ¼ teaspoon at a time at the end if you want more heat.
- You can also add 1-2 small green chili peppers like serrano peppers or jalapenos. Dice them finely and cook them with the ginger and garlic.
- Finally, try some specialty spicy seasonings made with red chiles if they are available. Try Kashmiri chili powder, hot chili garlic paste, or hot chili oil will all add a bit more heat.
What to Pair With Chicken Jalfrezi
Chicken Jalfrezi is a thick curry dish that goes perfectly with a side of rice and naan bread to soak up the amazing sauce! A fresh batch of Coconut Rice or Saffron Rice would make your meal extra special. Be sure to try our homemade Garlic Naan or Roti recipes too!
How to Store
Store: Keep the Chicken Jalfrezi sealed in plastic wrap or in an airtight container, and it will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always let the chicken cool down to room temperature before storing.
Reheat: You can reheat this curry dish on the stove top or in the microwave, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly without drying out.
Freeze: You can freeze the leftovers frozen for up to 4 months. After the chicken and sauce are cooled, put it into a sealed container before storing in the freezer.
Ideas to Serve Chicken Jalfrezi
Noodle Stir Fry: Saute some cooked spaghetti or angel hair pasta in oil until they are hot and just slightly toasted. Stir in the leftover Chicken Jalfrezi and a little sauce. Finally, toss in some warm steamed veggies and stir until everything is hot.
Wraps: Cut the chicken in smaller bite size pieces and serve it wrapped up in some warm naan or roti bread. Add toppings like Pickled Red Onions, quartered cherry tomatoes, or sliced green bell peppers for some fresh contrast.
Frequent Questions
Chicken Jalfrezi has a curry spiced, tangy tomato base sauce that is usually medium or hot spicy level. There are notes of ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, and of course warm red chile powder.
Chicken Jalfrezi originated in India, specifically the Bengali region, but is most popular in Indian Restaurants in the United Kingdom. Because of this it is usually considered a British-Indian dish.
Both Chicken Jalfrezi and Tikka Masala have similar origins because they were created to use up leftover chicken, are spiced more to appeal to Western tastes, and both have a tomato base sauce. However, Jalfrezi is usually spicer with a thicker sauce, where Masala includes coconut milk so it is creamier and a bit more mild.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion , grated
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger , minced
- 5 chicken thighs , boneless skinless
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes , do not drain
- 2 tablespoons ghee , clarified butter
- 1/4 cup cilantro , chopped
Instructions
- To a large skillet, on medium heat, add the oil and onions. Cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add in the chicken, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder and salt and mix well until the chicken and onions are well coated with the seasonings.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and the canned juices. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cover the pan. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Mix in the ghee and cilantro then cook uncovered for another 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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Variations
Seasonings: There are lots of spices and herbs to choose from to add more flavor to this dish. Try garam masala, curry powder, cardamom, fennel, or mustard seeds.
Meat: You can swap in pieces of pork, beef, lamb or boneless chicken breasts, just adjust the cooking time to cook the meat properly. For a vegetarian version, try it with baked tofu or canned chickpeas.
Veggies: Make this a heartier curry and one dish meal by adding vegetables like red and green bell peppers, green beans, or peas, or potatoes. Use canned or frozen veggies that have been thawed and drained to keep the cook time low.
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