Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe (2024)

Chicken:

• ▢ 3 chicken breasts (about 500g/1.1lbs) - chopped into bitesized chunks
• ▢ 1 tsp cumin
• ▢ 1 tsp coriander
• ▢ 1 tsp turmeric
• ▢ 1 tsp garam masala

Sauce:

• ▢ 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• ▢ 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 large onion - peeled and sliced
• ▢ 1 red chilli - sliced
• ▢ 1 green chilli - sliced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
• ▢ 2 tsp minced ginger
• ▢ 1 tsp garam masala
• ▢ 2 tsp turmeric
• ▢ 1 ½ tsp salt
• ▢ 2 tsp cumin
• ▢ 2 tsp ground coriander
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper - sliced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper - sliced
• ▢ 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes
• ▢ 240 ml (1 cup) chicken stock - ensure this is a gluten-free stock if required
• ▢ 1 tbsp tomato puree - paste for US

To Serve:

• ▢ pilau rice - or boiled rice
• ▢ fresh coriander
• ▢ chilli flakes
• ▢ sliced red onion

• Coat the chicken in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and leave to marinade for 10 minutes, covered in the fridge.

  3 chicken breasts (about 500g/1.1lbs), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala

• Once the chicken has marinated, heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan and add the chicken. Cook on a high heat for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is sealed.

  1 tbsp sunflower oil, 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• Add the onion to the pan, turn the heat down to low-medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens.

  1 large onion

• Add the red and green chilli, garlic, and ginger and cook for a further 2 minutes.

  1 red chilli, 1 green chilli, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp minced ginger

• Add in the garam masala, turmeric, salt, cumin, and ground coriander. Stir to coat the onions, and cook for a further 2 minutes.

  1 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp turmeric, 1 ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp ground coriander

• Add in the red and green pepper, tinned tomatoes, chicken stock, and tomato puree.

  1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes, 240 ml (1 cup) chicken stock, 1 tbsp tomato puree

• Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

• Stir in the fresh coriander and serve with rice, topped with fresh coriander, a few chilli flakes, and some sliced red onion.

  pilau rice, fresh coriander, chilli flakes, sliced red onion

Want to use the Curry Base Gravy Method?

Check out the notes section of the recipe card of my Curry Base Gravy to see how I convert this recipe to use a make-ahead curry base.

What about a gluten-free jalfrezi?

The ingredients I used for this chicken jalfrezi recipe are already gluten-free - but it's a good idea to check your own brands to be sure.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, add in more veggies in place of the chicken, and use vegetable stock. I like to marinate cubes of courgette and mushrooms in place of the chicken.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, you can make the jalfrezi ahead, then cool, cover and refrigerate for up to two days. Reheat in a pan over a medium heat until the chicken is hot throughout.

Will it freeze ok?

Yes, freeze in freezer-proof containers with a lid as soon as the curry is cool. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a pan - as per above.

Can I make chicken jalfrezi in the slow cooker?

Yes - bring the curry up to the boil (step 12), then transfer to a slow cooker. Cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.

Swap out the chicken for lamb:

Lamb jalfrezi is delicious - but it takes longer to cook to become tender. If you want to replace the chicken with lamb, then add a little more liquid (I would add an extra 140z/400g tin of chopped tomatoes) and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or stock if it starts to look too dry.

Nutritional Information is per serving.