Lazy Curried Chicken

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces; use thighs to prevent drying out)
• 0.5 tsp turmeric (for marinating)
• 0.5 tsp paprika (for marinating)
• salt (to taste, for marinating)
• 1 tbsp cornflour (for marinating and crisping)
• 2 tbsp ghee (divided; for frying chicken and aromatics)
• 3 garlic (cloves, minced)
• 1 inch fresh ginger (minced or julienned)
• 1 green chili (sliced)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree (concentrated paste)
• 0.5 cup water (to create the sauce base)
• 0.5 tsp turmeric (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• fresh coriander (chopped, for garnish)
• 0.5 lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)

Steps

1. 1

   In a bowl, marinate the chicken thigh pieces with turmeric, paprika, salt, and cornflour until evenly coated.

2. 2

   Heat a dollop of ghee in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the exterior is crispy and golden. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

3. 3

   In the same pan, add another dollop of ghee along with the minced garlic, ginger, and sliced chili. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.

4. 4

   Add one dollop of tomato puree and a splash of water. Cook this mixture down until the raw tomato smell dissipated.

5. 5

   Stir in the ground spices: turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, and garam masala.

6. 6

   Continue cooking the spice base for 5 to 10 minutes, adding small amounts of water if needed, until the oil begins to separate from the masala.

7. 7

   Return the chicken to the pan. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 5 to 8 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.

8. 8

   Finish the dish by stirring in kasuri methi, fresh coriander, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

9. 9

   Garnish with additional fresh ginger and coriander before serving over rice, in a wrap, or with bread.

Notes

The author emphasizes cooking the tomato puree and spices thoroughly until oil separation occurs to ensure the best flavor profile. This dish is specifically designed for meal prep and can be stored and reheated to serve with various carbohydrates.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• curry
• meal-prep
• high-protein
• spicy
• one-pan