Chicken Jalfrezi is a delicious and spicy Indian curry dish made with chicken and a variety of vegetables. A step-by-step guide on how to make Chicken Jalfrezi:
Ingredients:
For Marinating the Chicken:
- 500 grams boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt to taste
For the Curry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper (capsicum), thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
- Sliced green chilies for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken:
1. Prepare the Marinade:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
2. Marinate the Chicken:
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the yogurt marinade and mix well to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible. Marinating overnight is ideal for deeper flavor.
Cooking the Chicken:
1. Heat Oil:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add Marinated Chicken:
- Add the marinated chicken pieces to the hot oil and cook until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Making the Jalfrezi Curry:
1. Sauté Onions:
- In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and start to brown.
2. Add Spices:
- Add ginger-garlic paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Sauté for a couple of minutes until the raw smell disappears.
3. Add Tomatoes:
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
4. Combine with Chicken:
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and mix it well with the tomato-onion-spice mixture.
5. Add Bell Peppers:
- Add the thinly sliced bell peppers (capsicum) and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes until the bell peppers are tender but still crisp.
6. Add Garam Masala:
- Sprinkle garam masala over the curry and give it a final stir.
7. Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish the Chicken Jalfrezi with fresh coriander leaves and sliced green chilies (if desired).
- Serve hot with steamed rice or naan bread.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Jalfrezi, a flavorful and spicy Indian curry!