Savory Authentic Peanut Chicken Curry Recipe (2024)

The smell of this peanut chicken curry simmering on your stove will have your mouth watering. Tender pieces of chicken floating in a rich tomato and peanut curry is the perfect top to a nice bowl of steamed rice. I love the fact that I can enjoy a delicious curry at home instead of facing a busy restaurant. That's especially handy on long workdays.

Peanut Chicken Curry

Since this curry recipe simmers on your stove for a half-hour, it's a great choice to throw together when you get home, and let cook while you tend to those little things around the house. If you are like me, a rice cooker is a staple item in the kitchen. Mine takes around 30 minutes to cook a batch of rice, so, I know that when I set the chicken to simmer, I can push that button on my rice cooker and have it ready just when I am ready to serve the curry.

Pro Tip: If you aren't using a rice cooker, you should begin now. I adore my Aroma Housewares rice cooker. It's simple, cost-effective, and works perfectly every time.

Don't have enough time to cook when you get home? Make this slow cooker chicken and mushrooms recipe instead!

Why Should I Use Chicken Thighs For Curry?

So many individuals will reach for chicken breasts every time a chicken recipe comes up in their menu. Sure, they are healthier, but are they better? The difference in health benefits really is minimal in the long run, and when cooking chicken in a stew or sauce like curry, chicken thighs just give a better result.

Higher fat content keeps them juicy, tender, and more flavorful. That ends up with a much tastier curry in the long run. Sure, you can use chicken breasts, but I will always recommend boneless skinless chicken thighs for this peanut chicken curry for ultimate flavor.

You should also try out these Malaysian Curry Puffs. So delicious and a great addition to your menu. If you love curry, you'll also enjoy this classic green curryand the authentic chicken Karahi curry recipe.

Can I Use a Prepared Curry Powder Instead?

This recipe includes ingredients for homemade curry powder. Rather than mixing it up separately, or using prepared curry powder, you include a special blend of spices in the curry. The combination of coriander, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, chili powder, and ginger is commonly found in prepared curry powders. I love this particular measurement and combination, but if you want to save time, you can definitely substitute.

For this recipe, use 2 tablespoons curry powder in place of the combination of spices. You may also want to add a bit of extra salt and chili powder or cayenne for flavor and heat. I like a deep and rich curry flavor, so I would use the 2 tablespoons curry powder, and still add in 2 additional teaspoons cumin.

Chef's Tips

• Keep an inexpensive coffee grinder on hand to pulverize the spice blend to keep everything the same texture and size granules.
• Cut the chicken thighs into bite sized pieces before frying to keep the moist and easy to portion when ready to serve.
• Feel free to substitute tomato paste and broth for the ketchup if you want a richer flavor curry sauce.
• Add a pinch of saffron and a few coriander seeds to your rice when cooking to add richer flavor.
• If the peanut sauce is too rich, serve with sliced lime to add a bit of acid to the curry when serving.
• Serve with this Indian potato curry as a side that is delicious and flavor packed.

Ingredients for Chicken Curry with Peanut Sauce

• Coriander seeds
• Cumin
• Turmeric
• Paprika
• Salt
• Chili powder
• Ginger powder
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ketchup
• Peanut butter
• Chicken broth
• Red bell pepper
• Chicken thighs

Optional: Chopped cilantro and peanuts

How to Make Peanut Chicken Curry

Begin by preparing your chicken thighs for cooking. I purchase boneless skinless thighs and simply cut into bite-sized pieces. If you purchase bone-in, this is the time to remove the skin, bone, and cut into pieces.

You will also need to prepare your onion and garlic so they are ready to add to the mixture when needed.

Set the chicken aside, and combine your spice blend so that it is mixed well.

Heat the oil in your pan, and sprinkle half the spice blend onto your chicken pieces before frying them for a few minutes or until browned on all sides. When the chicken is browned, remove from the oil into a bowl and set aside.

Now add the diced onions to the oil, and cook until they are translucent. At this point, you will add in your garlic and the remaining spices and cook until coated and add your chicken pieces back into the pan.

Next, mix in the broth, ketchup, and peanut butter then stir until smooth.

Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for around 30-minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add in the bell pepper, and cook for an additional 10-minutes before serving over rice.

Top as desired.

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