This Authentic Chicken Jalfrezi is a delicious and easy Indian curry that is big and bold on flavor. Learn how to make restaurant style Jalfrezi with the signature smoky bell peppers, onions, juicy chicken and the wonderful mixture of authentic, but easy to find spices. Unlike many curries, this recipe can be on the table in under an hour and will be your new favorite takeout 'fakeout' at home.
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Ingredients
For the Jalfrezi paste
4garlic cloves
4inchpiece fresh root ginger
4green chillies
stalks and white roots from a bunch of cilantro(Reserve the leaves for later)
1teaspoonbrown mustard seeds
2tablespoonvegetable oil
2tablespoontomato puree
2teaspoonground cumin
1teaspoonground fenugreek
1teaspoonground coriander
1teaspoonturmeric
½teaspoonsea salt
For the Curry
2green bell peppers(green capsicum)
1onion
1tablespoonvegetable oil
2.2lbboneless chicken thighs
1tablespoonbutter
10fresh ripe tomatoes
250mlwater
2tablespoonlemon juice
salt
2tablespoonnatural yoghurt(optional)
Reserved coriander leaves
Instructions
For the Jalfrezi paste.
Peel the garlic and ginger. Chop the heads off the green chillies.
Add them to a mini food processor along with the mustard seeds, coriander stalks and root, vegetable oil and tomato paste.
Whizz the mixture until it is smooth.
Add the dry spices and whizz again until you have a thick paste. (The paste will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. Just ensure it is in an airtight container and cover the top with some oil)
Curry Prep
Cut the bell pepper in half and remove teh seeds then cut to bite sized chunks
Peel and roughly chop the onion.
Chop the chicken into small bite sized pieces.
Core and then finely chop the tomatoes and set to one side.
To cook the curry
Add the oil to a large wok (or high sided skillet)
Fry the bell pepper over a high heat until the flesh is blistered, then add in the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly.
Add the butter and once it starts to sizzle add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken starts to colour.
Tip the jalfrezi paste into the pan, stir well to coat all the chicken.
Add the water and lemon juice, then turn the heat down and cook gently for 20 minutes. Stir frequently and add more water if the sauce starts to stick.
Add the tomatoes to the pan, bring everything back to the boil, then place the curry on the lowest heat and cook for 20-25 minutes. Stir the curry every few minutes and add extra water if it is starting to stick or dry out too quickly.
Check the seasoning and serve with a swirl of yoghurt and some fresh cilantro.