Yogurt Braised Chicken Curry Recipes

IRRESISTIBLE CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces, and then add to a bowl. If you'd like to leave the chicken uncut or if you are using bone-in chicken pieces, the chicken can be left whole.
• Scatter 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper over the chicken. Toss well and set aside to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
• Make ahead: The chicken can be left to marinate up to 24 hours, keep it covered and stored in the refrigerator.
• Add garlic, ginger, onion and 1/2 cup of water to a blender or food processor. Blend until mostly smooth. An immersion blender with cup attachment can also be used.
• Heat the oil or ghee in a wide skillet (with lid) over medium-high heat. Arrange the marinated chicken into the pan so that it is in one layer and brown on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and place the skillet back onto the heat.
• Add the onion-ginger mixture and cook, stirring often, until all of the water has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon coriander and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric over the onion-ginger mixture, and cook for about 20 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste, turn the heat down to medium-low and then cook another minute.
• Add the yogurt, a tablespoon at a time, stirring it into the sauce before adding anymore.
• Return the chicken pieces and any accumulated juices to the pan along with the remaining cup of water and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to a simmer, and then cover with a lid. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Remove the lid and stir in the Garam Masala and cream. Taste the sauce and add the final 1/4 teaspoon of salt if you feel that it is needed (we almost always add it).
• Turn the heat back up to medium-high and cook, stirring gently every now and them, until the sauce has reduced a bit and thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with fresh cilantro scattered on top.

YOGURT-BRAISED CHICKEN LEGS WITH GARLIC AND GINGER

Steps:

• Generously season chicken legs all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium. Arrange chicken legs in pot skin side down (you want them to fit snugly) and cook, lifting up once or twice to let hot fat run underneath, until skin is golden brown and crisp, 10-15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, placing skin side up.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and add head of garlic, cut sides down, and ginger to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until ginger is starting to brown and curl around the edges and garlic is golden, about 4 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in turmeric followed by 2 cups yogurt and mix until smooth; season with salt.
• Nestle legs back into pot, skin side up, in a single layer and add water just until legs are almost submerged with skin barely peeking out. Bring to a very gentle simmer, adjusting heat if needed, and cook, uncovered, until meat is very tender and just about falling off the bone, 75-90 minutes (the yogurt will separate and look curdled, which is fine). Let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grate remaining garlic clove into a small bowl. Add remaining 1 cup yogurt and stir to combine; season with salt and pepper.
• Smear yogurt mixture across a platter and scatter chickpeas over. Carefully transfer chicken legs to platter. Using a large spoon or small ladle, skim off bright yellow fat that has collected on surface of braising liquid and drizzle all over platter (it's okay if some rogue spices make it onto platter). Top with scallions and mint, then squeeze lime wedges over.

ROASTED CURRY CHICKEN THIGHS WITH YOGURT CUMIN SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small, dry, heavy skillet over moderate heat, toast the cumin seeds until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Finely grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Mash the garlic to a paste and transfer half the garlic to a medium bowl. Whisk in the curry paste, 1 cup yogurt and half the cumin. Transfer the chicken to a plastic re-sealable bag and pour the yogurt mixture into the bag, making sure all the chicken is covered. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and top with a cooling rack.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade, place on the cooling rack in the sheet pan. Bake until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 cup yogurt and the remaining garlic and cumin. Serve a dollop of sauce on top of the chicken.
• What really makes this recipe sing: Toasting and grinding your own spices here, makes all the difference in the world. If you don't remember when you bought that jar of cumin, then you should throw it out and start fresh.

CURRY-AND-YOGURT BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a large, deep skillet, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and lightly dust with flour. Add chicken to skillet and cook over high heat, turning once, for 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add ginger, garlic, chile and bell pepper to skillet and cook over high heat until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in curry powder and cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes, corn, yogurt and water; stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over very low heat until chicken is tender and juices are slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve over cooked rice.

INDIAN CHICKEN CURRY (MURGH KARI)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons salt.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat; partially cook the chicken in the hot oil in batches until completely browned. Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a plate and set aside.
• Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-high; add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the oil remaining in the skillet and cook and stir until the onion turns translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, and 1 tablespoon of water into the onion mixture; allow to heat together for about 1 minute while stirring. Mix the tomatoes, yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and 1 teaspoon salt into the mixture. Return the chicken breast to the skillet along with any juices on the plate. Pour 1/2 cup water into the mixture; bring to a boil, turning the chicken to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the garam masala and 1 tablespoon cilantro over the chicken.
• Cover the skillet and simmer until the chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Sprinkle with lemon juice to serve.

CURRIED YOGURT MARINADE FOR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, curry powder, salt, and pepper together in a zip-top bag.

CHICKEN AND YOGHURT CURRY

Steps:

• Place onion, ginger, crushed garlic and fresh coriander in blender. Blend as smooth as possible adding a small amount of water if necessary.
• Heat oil in large pan and fry the blended mixture on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric, Garam Masala, salt and chili, fry for a further minute.
• Stir in yoghurt and tomato; simmer for 5 minutes. Add chicken, turning to coat. Simmer gently for 40 minutes. Thicken if necessary.
• Serve with rice, and accompaniments.