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Home » Recipes » Cuisine » Indian

Punjabi Chicken Curry

Published: Feb 17, 2017 · Modified: Apr 4, 2020 by Manju · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

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Delicious chicken curry fragrant with a special blend of spices, that is so easy to make and go so well with rice or rotis.

Punjabi Chicken Curry (1)

India is such a Hodge-podge of so many regional cuisines and equally easy and complicated dishes across all these cuisines. Every region has at least one chicken curry to boast of. Though I would first think of Butter Chicken when I think of Punjabi cuisine, this one comes a close second. It is fairly easy, as long as you have the spice blend and there is no other complex steps, so you can easily make this on a weeknight for dinner.

Here are some other chicken curry recipes, that you may enjoy! (click on the image to take you to the recipe)

Malabar Chicken Curry
Kerala Style Chicken Stew
Chicken Ishtoo / Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
Easy and Simple Chicken Curry
Chicken and Corn Curry - Makai Murgh Curry

Punjabi Chicken Curry (4 of 6)

I had seen this recipe for a Punjabi Chicken Curry in Anjum's New Indian cookbook and I wanted to try that out. When I started reading the recipe, it did not seem very different from the regular chicken curry I make with garam masala, only thing she used a little of bay leaves, black cardamom and cloves along with the regular garam masala. That is when I realized that I had some Punjabi Garam Masala, all ready in one of my spice jars, something which has black cardamom in it and something that I rarely use. And, I thought, before it goes stale and loses its potency, let me make use of it in one more dish and that is how I made this Punjabi Chicken Curry for Saturday's lunch. So the idea for this recipe basically came from the book, but the recipe is all mine 🙂

Punjabi Chicken Curry (1 of 1)

Punjabi Chicken Curry (3 of 6)

Punjabi Chicken Curry – The Recipe

  • Chicken breasts, bone in or boneless – 1 to 1 ½ lbs, cubed
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Red Onion  – 1, chopped
  • Crushed Ginger – 1 tsp
  • Crushed Garlic – 1 tbsp
  • Thai Green Chillies, split lengthwise – 3
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Red Chilli Powder – 1 ½ tsp
  • Punjabi Garam Masala – 2 tsp
  • Tomatoes – 2, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cilantro, chopped – 2 tsp, for garnishHeat the oil in a kadhai or deep pan. Add the onions, green chillies, ginger and garlic to the oil and sauté till the onions turn golden brown. Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder and the Punjabi Garam Masala to this and stir well.Add the tomatoes and let it cook well till the oil rises above it. Now add the chicken pieces. Add just a little bit of water so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remember that chicken will give out water when it cooks, so you don’t want too much water in the curry. Just about a ¼ cup will do.Add salt and keep stirring every once in a while till the chicken is cooked well and you have a thick sauce of the tomatoes, onions and the spices.Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with chapatis or rice.

 

Note: Punjabi Garam Masala Recipe

1 tablespoon cumin seeds
¾ tablespoon cardamom seeds
¾ tablespoon black pepper corn
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
¾ teaspoon cloves
2 1” piece cinnamon
¾ teaspoon mace
¾ teaspoon caraway seeds (shahjeera)
2 bay leaves, crushed
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger powder

Dry roast all the ingredients except the ginger powder on a griddle till you get an aroma of the spices. Make sure that they dont get burnt. Grind them to a fine powder in a spice grinder/coffee grinder. Add the ginger powder. Store in an air-tight spice jar.

Punjabi Chicken Curry

Punjabi Chicken Curry

4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Manju
[recipe_key]

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts , bone in or boneless – 1 to 1 ½ lbs, cubed
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Red Onion – 1 , chopped
  • Crushed Ginger – 1 tsp
  • Crushed Garlic – 1 tbsp
  • Thai Green Chillies , split lengthwise – 3
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Red Chilli Powder – 1 ½ tsp
  • Punjabi Garam Masala – 2 tsp
  • Tomatoes – 2 , chopped
  • Salt , to taste
  • Cilantro , chopped – 2 tsp, for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a kadhai or deep pan. Add the onions, green chillies, ginger and garlic to the oil and sauté till the onions turn golden brown. Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder and the Punjabi Garam Masala to this and stir well.
  • Add the tomatoes and let it cook well till the oil rises above it. Now add the chicken pieces. Add just a little bit of water so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remember that chicken will give out water when it cooks, so you don’t want too much water in the curry. Just about a ¼ cup will do.
  • Add salt and keep stirring every once in a while till the chicken is cooked well and you have a thick sauce of the tomatoes, onions and the spices.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with chapatis or rice.

Notes

Punjabi Garam Masala Recipe
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
¾ tablespoon cardamom seeds
¾ tablespoon black pepper corn
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
¾ teaspoon cloves
2 1” piece cinnamon
¾ teaspoon mace
¾ teaspoon caraway seeds (shahjeera)
2 bay leaves, crushed
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger powder
Dry roast all the ingredients except the ginger powder on a griddle till you get an aroma of the spices. Make sure that they dont get burnt. Grind them to a fine powder in a spice grinder/coffee grinder. Add the ginger powder. Store in an air-tight spice jar.
Tried this recipe?Mention @Cookingcurries or tag #cookingcurries on social media. We would love to take a look and share!

Punjabi Chicken Curry (2 of 6)

Punjabi
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says

    February 18, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    I wouldn't say no to a good ole curry - please pass me a plate or two.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 12:00 am

      Sure! Anytime ?

      Reply
  2. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

    February 19, 2017 at 2:56 am

    Glad you shared how to make the garam masala from scratch since I don't have a jar of that type of garam masala in my pantry. The chicken really sounds great. I am sure this is so flavorful and fragrant!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

      Thank you Katie! Yes, this is one of those spice mixes that is not very commonly found ready made.

      Reply
  3. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says

    February 19, 2017 at 3:41 am

    5 stars
    I bet this tastes so authentic. Glad you showed how to make garam masala, very useful

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

      Thank you Bintu

      Reply
  4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    February 19, 2017 at 4:07 am

    I bet that is just bursting with flavour. Thursday night is curry night in our house and this might have to go on the menu for next week.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:14 am

      Thanks Dannii. Do let me know if you try it!

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    February 19, 2017 at 4:35 am

    5 stars
    This sounds fantastic, I love a good curry but wouldn't know where to start myself thanks so much for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Of course! ?

      Reply
  6. Ruxana says

    February 19, 2017 at 6:33 am

    Delicious chicken curry ,can feel the aroma of that spices added in the curry!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      February 19, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Thank you Ruxana!

      Reply
  7. Patty says

    October 24, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    Thank you for sharing the garan masala from scratch!! I can't wait to put all those spices together and begin cooking Chicken Punjabi style which I love.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      October 24, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      Making your own Garam Masala is one of the best things you can do! I hope you get to cook all your favorite dishes with this.

      Reply
  8. sonakshi saxena says

    February 06, 2018 at 6:33 am

    5 stars
    Hey, Dear First Let Me Thank you for sharing this different style chicken curry as a north Indian I had tried so many chicken recipes even dishes and even so many variants for chicken curry but today you shared this punjabi style and I never knew that we can make chicken curry like this I was a nice experience knowing this so I have saved this recipe in my sticky notes so that I will not forget and I should try this in a day or two coz I also try to write on my not so famous Blog so have to make time but I m sure I m gonna try this . and you check my blog and let me know if you have any suggestion for me as guru lol . okey b...bye take care and keep writing your recipes are awesome

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    March 21, 2018 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    I was so excited to find this recipe because Punjabi chicken curry has always been my absolute favorite. My childhood, many years ago, was spent in India because my dad was with USAID. He designed and built BIG hydro-electric dams. Since those projects take years to complete, we lived in India for many years. Anyway, Punjabi food is a favorite but not so easy to find. I've made this curry twice now and it brings back wonderful memories. My parents are gone now but I know they are smiling! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      April 05, 2018 at 12:50 am

      That is the most sweetest comment Ive ever gotten! Thank you so much for taking the time to post it. Happy to have helped with rebuilding your memories, thats what food does to us right?! ????

      Reply
  10. Amanda says

    April 03, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    I didn't make my own garam masala but I made this last night. Without doubt the best Indian meal I have every made. The recipe has been written into my book and will be a firm favourite!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      April 05, 2018 at 12:49 am

      Thank you for sharing that Amanda! So glad you loved the recipe ????

      Reply
  11. Matt Lee-Cross says

    June 17, 2020 at 5:21 am

    4 stars
    very good, added a bit more chilli

    Reply
    • Manju says

      June 18, 2020 at 12:25 am

      Thank you, Matt.

      Reply

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