If you’re looking for a quick, tasty dinner that’s better than takeout, Chinese Chicken Curry is a great option. You can easily make it at home, making it a great addition to your dinner menu.
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Chinese Chicken Curry : A Quick, Fun Dinner
In this Chinese chicken curry, tender pieces are cooked with colorful vegetables in a thick, flavorful curry sauce. The sauce combines garam masala, soy sauce, aromatic cheeses, and a slight sweetness.
Unlike some traditional Indian curries, Chinese chicken curry has a distinct flavor. It always uses curry powder along with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, onions, and vegetables, creating a highly aromatic sauce. It’s delicious, slightly spicy, and slightly sweet.
This homemade chicken recipe is perfect for busy evenings, as it’s ready in less than 30 minutes. Serve with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or noodles for a great family dinner.
Why would you like Chinese Chicken Curry?
- Made in a single pan
- Quick and easy
- With a thick curry sauce
- Provides tender chicken
- So much better than takeout
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for meal-prep
All the ingredients needed to make Chinese Chicken Curry:
Ingredients for the chicken:
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients for the curry:
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Chinese-style curry powder
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon chopped red pepper flakes, optional
Garnish ingredients:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Thinly sliced red peppers, optional
- Fresh cilantro, optional
Full instructions on how to make Chinese Chicken Curry:
1. Cutting the Chicken and Marinating
- First, cut the chicken into small pieces.
- Use a bowl.
- Place the chicken in the marinade and add the soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and pepper.
- Keep tossing until all the pieces are evenly coated.
- Let the chicken sit for 10 to 12 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce.
- The cornstarch coating helps prevent the chicken from drying out and creates a slightly shiny surface when cooked.
2. Preparing the Curry Sauce
- Use a bowl and whisk together the following ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Oyster sauce
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar
- After whisking all these mixtures together, set them aside.
- Now, use another small bowl.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water.
- Be sure to keep stirring until the chicken is cooked through.
- This mixture thickens the curry sauce later.
3. Cooking the Chicken
- Now use a large skillet or wok.
- Prepare it over medium-high heat.
- Add vegetable oil to it.
- Once it’s hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken to a clean plate.
- Avoid adding too many vegetables to the pan.
- Cook the chicken in two batches if necessary.
4. Sautéing the Vegetables
- Use the same skillet and add the chopped onion and bell pepper.
- Continue cooking for about 3 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and cook for another 2 minutes.
- The vegetables should be slightly tender and retain their natural crunch.
5. Adding Garlic and Ginger
- Add finely chopped garlic and fresh ginger, then cook for 40 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- The combination of garlic and ginger makes the curry very aromatic.
6. Tasting the Curry Powder
- First, add the curry powder, turmeric, and, if using, a red chili flake. Mix them all together and cook for 30 seconds.
- Cooking the spices in the oil for a while releases their aroma and deepens the curry’s flavor.
7. Adding the Curry Sauce
- Pour the prepared broth mixture into the pan.
- Stir well.
- Scrape off any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Continue cooking the sauce over low heat.
8. Thickening the Sauce
- Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly.
- Continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
- The sauce should become glossy and slightly thickened.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little chicken broth or water.
9. Returning the Chicken to the Pan
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
- Mix everything together, ensuring the chicken and vegetables are thoroughly coated in the curry sauce.
- Reduce heat and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
10. Garnishing and Serving
- Remove the pan from the heat, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- You can garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, or chopped chilies.
- Serve immediately with hot steamed rice or noodles.
Best Vegetables for Chinese Chicken Curry:
- One of the great advantages of homemade curry is that you can easily customize the vegetables to your liking.
- You can try adding these vegetables:
- Snow peas
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Water chestnuts
- Bok choy
- Baby corn
- Green beans
- Cabbage
- Zucchini
- For the best texture, avoid overcooking the vegetables.
- They should remain slightly crisp.
Instructions for spicing up Chinese chicken curry:
If you prefer spicy food, there’s a very easy way to increase the spiciness.
Add these vegetables:
- Chopped red chili flakes
- Chili garlic sauce
- Freshly chopped chili peppers
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- Hot chili oil
- Start with a small amount and gradually increase.
Instructions for making mild Chinese chicken curry:
To customize it to your family’s liking, avoid adding red chili flakes and fresh chili.
If you prefer a milder curry powder, you can add a little more brown sugar for a milder and sweeter flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Chinese Chicken Curry:
This chicken curry goes especially well with steamed rice.
Rice Options:
White long-grain rice
Jasmine rice
Basmati rice
Brown rice
Coconut rice
Noodle Options:
Serve with curry:
Rice noodles
Egg noodles
Lo mein noodles
Chow mein-style noodles
For a complete meal, add a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame on the side, which adds a presentable look.
Tips for the best Chinese chicken curry:
Be sure to use chicken thighs for more juiciness.
Don’t skip the cornstarch.
Lighten the spices.
Avoid overcooking the vegetables.
Taste before adding salt.
Some easy variation suggestions:
To make Chinese chicken curry with coconut milk:
If you prefer a creamier curry, replace about 1/2 cup of chicken broth with unsweetened coconut milk and mix well. This creates a richer sauce with a subtle coconut flavor.
Chinese Chicken and Mushroom Curry:
Add 1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms along with the onions and bell peppers. The mushrooms help absorb the delicious sauce and add a wonderful savory flavor.
Chinese Chicken Curry with Potatoes:
To make the curry more filling, add a small piece of half-cooked potato. Be sure to cook the potatoes until they’re tender before adding them to the pan.
Honey Chicken Curry:
For a slightly sweet and salty flavor, substitute a tablespoon of honey for the brown sugar.
Shrimp Curry:
Substitute peeled and deveined shrimp for the chicken. Keep in mind that shrimp cooks very quickly, so it should be added at the end of cooking and cooked over low heat until it becomes clear and cooked through.
Storage Tips for Chinese Chicken Curry:
After cooling, transfer leftover Chinese Chicken Curry to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
It’s best to keep the rice separate if possible, as this helps maintain its texture.
To reheat, reheat the curry in a pan over medium-low heat.
If your sauce is too thick, add a little water or chicken broth.
It can be easily microwaved in a microwave-safe container or in individual portions.
Be sure to stir halfway through reheating.
Ensure leftover vegetables are thoroughly heated before serving.
Can I freeze Chinese Chicken Curry?
Absolutely! This curry is refrigerated well. Let it cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
For best quality, refrigerate for up to 2 months.
Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop.
If using vegetables that become mushy after freezing, consider adding freshly cooked vegetables when reheating.
FAQ
What is Chinese Chicken Curry?
Chinese chicken curry is a delicious chicken dish that combines curry powder with Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and herbs.
The recipe varies from American to regional.
Q. Is Chinese chicken curry spicy?
It doesn’t have to be! You can make it milder by using a milder curry powder and omitting the chili flakes. For a more intense spiciness, add fresh chilies or chili sauce.
Q. Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast works great. Cut it into equal pieces and avoid overcooking it to keep it tender.
Q. Which curry powder should I use?
A mild or medium curry powder works best for Chinese chicken curry. The flavor and spiciness of different curry powder mixtures vary. So be sure to adjust the quantities to your liking.
Q. Can I make Chinese chicken curry without oyster sauce?
Absolutely! You can substitute these ingredients for hoisin sauce or use more soy sauce. The flavor will be slightly different, but the dish remains delicious.
Q. Can I make the recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! But use certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and make sure the curry powder and oyster sauce are gluten-free.
Q. Can I use frozen vegetables?
Absolutely! Frozen vegetables are very convenient and work well for this recipe. Add them according to the cooking time and avoid overcooking.
Final Thoughts
Chinese chicken curry is a delicious home-cooked dinner, often prepared in most American homes on weekends.
This dish of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, aromatic ginger and garlic, and a rich curry sauce is quick to prepare for busy weeknights, but also delicious to serve when you’re craving something special.
Serve chicken curry with soft jasmine rice or your favorite noodles, garnish with fresh green onions, and enjoy a comforting home-cooked meal without any complicated cooking procedures.