Easy Garlic Chicken Curry Without Tomato

If you think you bumped in another recipe that looks too good to be easy, then I am afraid to tell you, that is definitely not the case.

This delicious garlic chicken curry recipe is ready in about half an hour, only requires one saucepan, and the ingredients used are minimal.

As far as Indian spices go, this curry recipe only calls for turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala, with all the other ingredients being fresh, such as chicken thighs or breast, onions, garlic cloves [of course!], and cilantro, to name a few!

You will start by preparing a garlic curry base, blend half of it, add it back to the pan with the chicken, and then top it off with green chilli and garlic-infused oil.

That is all there is to it. Enjoy!

Garlic Chicken Curry Ingredients

• Chicken: If possible, opt for bone-in chicken, such as skinless thighs or drums, as they tend to remain juicier after cooking because of their higher fat content. As an alternative, diced skinless chicken breast will work well too, although ensure you don't overcook it as it may become dry.
• Oil: Opt for a flavorless oil, such as sunflower or vegetable oil.
• Onion, and Ginger Garlic Paste: Basic gravy ingredients. Use any color onions you have [I used red, but a white or brown onion is perfect too!], and if you don't have ginger garlic paste, swap it for fresh ones.
• Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, and Garam Masala: These are some of the most commonly used Indian Spices. Should you like your curry hot, use regular red chilli powder, but for a milder, yet colorful hit, opt for Kashmiri chili powder, which is still hot, but not as much. No black pepper is required, but you can add a touch if you really want to.
• Cilantro [Fresh Coriander]: Brings a hint of freshness to the curry.
• Green Chillies, and Garlic Cloves: These ingredients are part of the final tadka [tempering] that is added to the curry and completely change its flavor. Use fresh garlic cloves and green chillies.

How To Make Garlic Chicken Curry?

1. In a pan, warm up the oil and cook the onions with some salt (this speeds up the process) on medium-low heat.
2. Once these are translucent, add the turmeric, coriander powder, and red chili powder and mix well.
3. Once the spices are cooked and separate from the oil, add the ginger garlic paste and lightly fry.
4. Once the smell of the raw garlic has gone, add half the fresh coriander and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes, then take half of the curry base and blend it.

5. Once half the curry is blended, add it back to the pan and mix well; at this stage add the chopped chicken and allow it to cook for a couple of minutes on medium heat.
6. Add some water to the curry as well as the remaining finely chopped fresh coriander and bring the chicken curry to a boil; once it is boiling, lower the flame and put a lid on the pan and allow the curry to simmer.
7. When the chicken is nearly cooked, add the garam masala.

8. At this stage, in a small saucepan or frying pan, add some oil, sliced garlic, and slit green chilies.
9. Turn on the heat to medium-low and allow the oil to warm up and cook the garlic till it is golden in color.
10. Once the garlic is golden, add the tempering to the garlic chicken curry.
11. Mix, serve, and enjoy with fluffy steamed rice or any flatbread of your liking!

How To Store Garlic Chicken Curry?

This Lehsuni Murgh curry can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.

It can also be frozen, always in an airtight container, for about 4-6 weeks.

Before serving again, always ensure the chicken curry has been fully reheated.

Tips & Tricks For The Best Garlic Chicken Curry

• Cooking the Garlic and Green Chillies: It is important the sliced garlic and green chilies are added to the cold oil. As this warms up, the ingredients flavor it and will enhance your curry's flavor. Make sure the garlic is golden and not dark brown, as this may make it quite bitter.
• Butter: As an alternative, the garlic and chilies can be cooked in butter the same way, but do not swap unflavored vegetable oil for coconut or olive oil, as these are too strong and the flavor will change.
• Marinated Chicken: Should you like your chicken dish to be extra garlicky, then you can marinate the chicken in a teaspoon of garlic paste for half an hour before cooking.
• Cumin Powder: Many chicken curries use cumin powder, however this one doesn't. Should you like to try, for a change, you can add a teaspoon of ground cumin at the same point as you add the turmeric.
• Garlic Chicken Recipe: As this is garlic chicken, feel free to add more garlic cloves if you like it, as well as more green chilies.
• Curry Powder: Although many use curry powder in Indian cooking, please do not use it in this recipe, as it is not a suitable swap for any of the Asian spices used.
• Lemon Juice: Before serving, for a little tanginess, feel free to squeeze a slice of lemon on top of your curry bowl.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Why don't you try the same recipe using paneer or tofu instead?
• Smooth Gravy: Should you like your curry gravy very smooth, you can blend the whole mixture instead of just half of it. For a chunkier curry, don't blend the gravy at all.

This Lehsuni Murgh is the curry of dreams! Tender chicken bites served in a rich garlicky gravy with some heat, what more can one ask for?

Serve it with plain or jeera rice, or with some flatbreads, such as roti, chapatis, naan, or parathas.

If you have some leftovers, try them on top of a jacket potato [I've learned this trick here in the UK, and although my very Indian husband refuses to give it a go, it is actually good!] as a quick lunchbox fix.

But most of all, eat it as you wish, as long as you enjoy it!