Indian Chicken Curry

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Curry (Mom's Homestyle 30-Minute Recipe)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs. chicken thighs, boneless & skinless ((1.25-1.5 lbs.)); 1 tbsp ghee ((or oil)); 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 cup onion, chopped ((1 medium onion)); 2 tsp ginger (1 inch, grated or ground); 2 tsp garlic (2-3 cloves, grated or ground); 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste); 1/2 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp kashmiri red chili powder ((or paprika)); 2 tsp ground coriander; 2 tsp garam masala ((add 1 tsp for mild flavor)); 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 roma tomato, de-seeded and chopped ((or 1 tbsp tomato paste)); 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt; 1/4-1/2 cup water (Add as needed); ½ tsp crushed cardamom; ¼ cup chopped cilantro; 2 cups basmati rice (rinsed 2-3 times); 2.25 cups water ((or 2.5 cups for softer texture)); 2 tsp ghee (or oil); 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

Enjoy the delicious and satisfying taste of authentic Indian Chicken curry at home with this simple and easy recipe. In this home-style preparation, boneless chicken is simmered in a sauce made with onion, tomato, and yogurt, and seasoned with mild Indian spices.

Here is an easy one-pot Instant Pot recipe with the option to make pot-in-pot cumin rice for a hearty 30-minute meal.

Chicken curry served in a grey bowl with a side of cucumber salad and cumin rice

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What is Chicken Curry?
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
How to Make Chicken Curry
Alternate Method: Stovetop Curry Chicken
Servings Suggestions
How to Store
Recipe Tips & Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular Indian Chicken Curries on the Blog
📖 Recipe

This simple and delicious Chicken Curry is a cherished family recipe! It is my mom's fuss-free recipe for an everyday curry that uses fresh ingredients and commonly used ground Indian spices.

This recipe is my Instant Pot adaptation in which I also make cumin rice in the same pot using the pot-in-pot cooking method. It's a one-pot meal that's ready in about 30-35 minutes and is perfect for weeknight dinners.

Let's get started with this simpler curry!

What is Chicken Curry?

Chicken curry is a popular dish from the Indian subcontinent in which skinless chicken pieces are cooked in a sauce made of fresh ginger, garlic, onion, and tomatoes, and seasoned with warm spices like garam masala, coriander, and cumin. It is best enjoyed with rice or an Indian flatbread called roti.

The base recipe undergoes a delightful transformation across households, geographical areas, and sub-cultures, embracing locally sourced spices and ingredients for a unique twist.

More on Curry: For more information on curry and its origin, check out this detailed article: What is Curry? and What does curry taste like?

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

All we need is chicken, aromatics, and common Indian spices to make this curry chicken. Here are some ingredient notes and possible substitutions:

Chicken, aromatics and spices spread out on a grey board to make Indian Chicken Curry

For the Curry:

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my first preference for a juicy texture. However, you can also use chicken breast pieces instead with a shorter pressure cooking time. See notes for details.
Aromatics: We need fresh ginger, garlic, onion, and Roma tomatoes for the curry base. You can also take a shortcut and use premade ginger garlic paste.
Yogurt: Plain yogurt or Greek yogurt adds a creamy texture and flavor to the curry and also helps thicken it. Use whole milk or low-fat yogurt for a creamier curry. I don't recommend using fat-free yogurt here.
Spices: Whole cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and turmeric are used with salt to flavor the curry sauce. You can substitute chili powder with sweet paprika for a milder curry.
Finishes: I add a pinch of ground cardamom for a floral finish. Finally, a garnish of fresh cilantro leaves adds a burst of color and flavor to the dish.

For Pot-in-Pot Cumin Rice

Making rice is optional, but here are the ingredients in case you want to enjoy a one-pot meal:

Bowl of rice, ghee and cumin seeds on a metal tray

Rice: I prefer White Basmati rice here since their cooking time matches with the chicken curry. Get rid of any excess starch by rinsing it until the water runs clear, then soak it for 15 minutes while you gather and prep the ingredients.
Water: I use a 1:1 ¼ ratio, which means, for every cup of rice, I add 1 ¼ cups of water.
Cumin: Whole cumin seeds impart a warm and sweet aroma to the rice.
Oil or Ghee: Use any neutral oil like light olive oil or avocado oil, and for a richer taste, use ghee.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt is enough to flavor the rice. It is optional though.

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

A bowl of Indian style chicken curry, garnished with cilantro leaves

How to Make Chicken Curry

Since chicken curry and basmati rice have a similar cooking time of 6 minutes at high pressure, it's a great combination to make together in the Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot technique. Here are the step-by-step instructions and photos:

Step 1: Rice Prep

If you are making pot-in-pot rice, rinse and drain the rice 2 to 3 times until the water runs clear. Then soak it in fresh water for 15 minutes while you get the curry started. Skip this step if you don't want to make rice.

two step grid soaking long grain white rice in bowl of water

Step 2: Saute aromatics

Turn on Saute mode and wait till the display reads, 'hot'. Add ghee or oil and cumin seeds. Wait for them to sizzle, it takes about 30 seconds.

Adding cumin seeds to melted ghee in instant pot

Now add onion, ginger, and garlic, and saute for 1 to 2 minutes or until the onions start turning translucent.

Cover the pot with a lid and cook for another 2 minutes. This allows the onions to sweat and soften.

Covering the Instant Pot with a glass lid

Step 3: Add Curry Ingredients

Add chicken pieces, salt, and all the spices. Stir well.

Beat yogurt until smooth, add it to the pot while stirring. This prevents the yogurt from curdling and makes the sauce smooth. Saute for another 2 minutes.

Chopped tomato goes in next along with water (as needed). The quantity of water will depend on how much liquid the chicken and yogurt have already released.

Adding water to the Instant pot for chicken curry

Step 4: Assemble Pot-in-Pot Rice (optional step)

To make Pot-in-Pot rice, place a trivet in the center of the pot. If you are not making rice, skip to step 9.

Placing a trivet to make pot in pot rice

Assemble rinsed rice, salt, water, and oil in an oven-safe bowl that fits well in the Instant Pot. Place this on top of the trivet.

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Close the lid and pressure cook for 6 minutes on high pressure. After the cooking time is done, wait 5 minutes and then release the pressure manually. Open the lid after the pin drops.

Releasing pressure manually in an Instant Pot by turning the knob

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

Remove the rice bowl (if applicable) and fluff the rice with a fork.

Stir in crushed cardamom in the curry. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly. If at this point your curry is more liquidy than you like, turn on Saute and simmer the curry for 3-4 minutes until it thickens to your liking.

Adding cardamom powder to the chicken curry

When ready, garnish the curry chicken with chopped cilantro and stir. Indian-style chicken curry is ready!

Accessories Needed for Pot-in-Pot Cooking

Tall Trivet
Stainless Steel Bowl, or any oven-safe bowl

Click here for More Pot-in-Pot Recipe Ideas

Alternate Method: Stovetop Curry Chicken

Heat a deep pan on medium-high heat. When it gets hot, add ghee or oil, and cumin seeds.
When cumin seeds begin to sizzle, add ginger, garlic, and chopped onion. Saute for 1 minute, then cover with a lid and cook for 2 minutes.
Add chicken, salt, turmeric, red chili, coriander, cumin, garam masala, and plain yogurt. Stir and saute for another 2 minutes.
Add chopped tomatoes along with a cup of water, stir well, and cover the pot. Continue to cook on medium-high heat till the sauce starts bubbling. Then reduce heat to medium and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken cooks through.
Stir in ground cardamom and chopped cilantro. Serve warm with rice or roti!

Servings Suggestions

Here are some pairings and accompaniments that I enjoy with this delicious Indian curry chicken recipe:

Rice: Cumin rice goes great with it, but you can also serve plain basmati rice instead. For a healthier alternative, go for brown basmati rice instead.
Flatbread: Serve it with warm fresh roti, or paratha. If you want to kick it up a notch, try homemade garlic naan or butter naan.
Low-Carb Serving: Enjoy with Indian-style cauliflower Rice or this keto Roti made with almond flour.
Accompaniments: A side of cooling yogurt dips such as cucumber Raita or mint Raita balances the warmth of spices and completes the meal! If you want to add a vegetable side, try aloo gobi or bhindi masala.

A grey bowl of Indian style Chicken Curry, with a side of cucumber salad and cumin rice

How to Store

Cool the curry completely then transfer to an airtight container. You can refrigerate chicken curry for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze this chicken curry. To re-use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then heat over the stove or in the microwave until warmed though.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Chicken: Boneless skinless thighs result in moist and juicy chicken. If using chicken breast, cut it into 1-inch pieces and reduce the pressure cooking time to 4 minutes with a 10-minute natural pressure release.
Fresh aromatics: For best results, use fresh onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic. You can use previously made ginger paste, garlic paste, or a ginger garlic paste combination.
Low-Carb Pairings: Serve this curry with cauliflower rice or keto roti for a low-carb meal.
Yogurt: Use plain yogurt, plain or Greek, to thicken the curry and make it creamy. If you decide to skip the yogurt, add an additional tomato while sauteing.
Adjust the heat level: Kashmiri red chili powder is a mild chili that gives a rich color and mild heat to the curry. To make your curry spicy, add a few pinches of cayenne powder. To make it mild, substitute the red chili powder with sweet paprika.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indian chicken curry made of?

Indian Chicken curry is typically made of skinless chicken pieces that are cooked in a sauce made of fresh ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and yogurt, and seasoned with spices like garam masala, coriander, and cumin.

What is the secret to good Indian curry?

Using fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, onions, tomato and cilantro along with aromatic spices is the secret to a good and authentic Indian curry.

What is the most traditional Indian curry?

If you go by restaurant favorites, butter chicken or chicken tikka masala are the most traditional Indian curries. But there's so much more to Indian curries than those two. You can find many home-style north and south Indian curries in this article: 35 Popular Indian Curries.

Popular Indian Chicken Curries on the Blog

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some more popular Indian Chicken Curries from the blog, that have been tried and enjoyed by many readers. I hope you enjoy them too!

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