Homemade Chinese Curry Chicken Recipe: Tasty & Fuss-Free

Chinese curry chicken blends aromatic spices with tender meat in a mouthwatering culinary experience.

Home cooks appreciate this simple yet flavorful dish that upgrades ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Traditional techniques merge with modern cooking approaches, creating a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Rich, complex flavors dance across your palate, promising a delightful journey through regional cuisine.

Subtle spice notes complement the smooth, velvety sauce that coats each succulent piece of protein.

Balancing warmth, depth, and brightness, this recipe invites you to embrace a delicious cultural connection.

Meal preparation becomes an adventure of taste and texture, promising a satisfying dining experience.

Key Tips for Perfect Easy Chinese Curry Chicken

• Slice Strategically: Cut chicken into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit in marinade for at least 15-20 minutes to tenderize and enhance taste, preventing dry meat.
• Spice with Precision: Adjust curry powder and chili flakes according to your heat preference, balancing flavors without overwhelming the dish.
• Control Liquid Levels: Watch sauce consistency carefully; add more broth if too thick or let simmer longer if too thin for ideal texture.
• Temperature Technique: Maintain medium-low heat during chicken cooking to prevent toughening and preserve juicy, tender meat.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Chinese Curry Chicken

• Refrigeration: Store leftover curry chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled curry chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen curry chicken maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Gently warm refrigerated curry in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave alternative: Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

Tasty Pairings for Chinese Curry Chicken Dishes

• Sip Spicy Riesling: A slightly sweet German Riesling perfectly balances the curry's warmth, cutting through the rich chicken and complementing the aromatic spices.
• Pair with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice absorbs the curry's vibrant sauce, enhancing each bite with a delicate, fragrant undertone that elevates the entire dish.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: A crisp cucumber salad with light rice vinegar dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the spicy curry, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Bring Beer Brightness: A light Asian lager like Tsingtao offers a crisp, clean finish that neutralizes the curry's intensity while matching the dish's Chinese-inspired flavors.

Fun Variations for Chinese Curry Chicken Fans

• Coconut Curry Comfort: Swap chicken broth with creamy coconut milk for a rich, tropical-inspired version that adds depth and silkiness to the classic recipe.
• Vegetarian Green Delight: Replace chicken with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms, maintaining the same spice blend for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Szechuan Fusion: Amp up the heat by adding Szechuan peppercorns, increasing chili flakes, and incorporating a splash of chili oil for an intense, mouth-tingling experience that transforms the original curry.
• Seafood Curry Adventure: Substitute chicken with succulent shrimp or white fish chunks, reducing cooking time to prevent overcooking and preserving the delicate protein's tender texture.

Easy Chinese Curry Chicken That’s Bold and Comforting

• Speed Up Flavor Magic: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful meal in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is short.
• Enjoy Texture Symphony: Tender chicken pieces mingle with crisp vegetables, creating a delectable contrast that dances between soft and crunchy in every single bite.
• Spice Adventure Unlocked: The clever blend of curry powder, turmeric, and optional chili flakes delivers a warming, complex flavor profile that sparks excitement without overwhelming the palate, offering a gentle introduction to Chinese-style curry cooking.
• Foolproof Kitchen Confidence: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, even novice home cooks can master this restaurant-quality dish, turning an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Ingredients for Chinese Curry Chicken with Ease

• Chicken: Succulent protein that absorbs the curry flavors, best when using boneless, skinless thighs or breasts for tender texture.

• Onions, Bell Pepper, Carrot: Fresh vegetables that add sweetness and texture to the curry, choose crisp and colorful produce.
• Ginger: Aromatic root that provides warm, spicy undertone to the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Flavorful base that creates the sauce's consistency and depth.
• Dry Sherry: Adds subtle complexity and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Oyster Sauce: Rich, umami condiment that enhances overall savory profile.
• Sugar: Balances the spices and adds slight sweetness to the curry.

• Curry Powder, Turmeric: Traditional spice blend that gives authentic Chinese curry flavor and golden color.
• Chili Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding heat and extra complexity.
• Cornstarch: Helps coat chicken and thickens the sauce for better texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the dish.

• Cooking Oil: Neutral oil for stir-frying vegetables and chicken, ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.

How to Cook Chinese Curry Chicken on Busy Nights

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade

• Salt
• Dry sherry
• Cornstarch

Massage everything together until chicken gets a lovely coating. Let it chill and soak up flavors.

Step 2: Awaken Vegetable Flavors

Warm up a skillet with oil over sizzling heat. Toss in chopped onions and dance them around for a quick minute.

Step 3: Introduce Aromatic Spice Blend

• Minced ginger
• Bell pepper chunks
• Carrot slices
• Curry powder
• Turmeric
• Chili flakes (optional for heat lovers)

Stir and cook until vegetables start to soften and release their magical scents.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce

• Sugar
• Salt
• Oyster sauce

Bring the mixture to a bubbly boil, stirring with purpose.

Step 5: Cook Chicken To Perfection

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Slide marinated chicken into the skillet, spreading pieces carefully. Use a spatula to separate any clingy bits. Let chicken cook until it’s tender and sauce thickens beautifully.

Step 6: Plate And Serve

Transfer your fragrant curry chicken to a waiting plate. Crown it over fluffy steamed rice for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

Easy Chinese Curry Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Silky Chinese curry chicken delivers a perfect harmony of spicy and savory flavors. Tender chicken pieces swim in a rich, aromatic sauce that invites you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) chicken breast, thinly sliced against the grain into ¼-inch (5 millimeters) thick pieces
• ½ large white onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for spice level)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½-inch piece (1 centimeter) ginger, minced

Liquid and Marinade Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons oyster sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken mixture by thoroughly coating protein pieces with salt, dry sherry, and cornstarch, ensuring even distribution and allowing flavors to meld while resting.
2. Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing a light coating of oil to prevent sticking and create an ideal cooking surface.
3. Introduce chopped onions to the heated pan, quickly stirring and moving them around to develop a translucent, slightly golden appearance without burning.
4. Incorporate aromatic elements including ginger, bell pepper, and carrot, then sprinkle in the spice blend of curry powder, turmeric, and optional chili flakes to awaken their intense flavors.
5. Elevate the dish’s complexity by pouring in chicken broth, then integrating sugar, salt, and oyster sauce, gently stirring to create a harmonious liquid base.
6. Reduce cooking temperature to a gentle simmer, carefully adding marinated chicken pieces across the pan’s surface, using a spatula to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
7. Allow the protein to cook slowly, watching as the sauce gradually thickens and the chicken reaches perfect doneness with a succulent, tender texture.
8. Plate the fragrant curry chicken atop fluffy steamed rice, creating a vibrant, comforting meal that captures the essence of Chinese-inspired cuisine.

Notes

• Marinating the chicken beforehand helps tenderize the meat and allows spices to penetrate deeply, creating more flavorful bites.
• Quickly stir-frying vegetables at high heat preserves their crisp texture and prevents them from becoming soggy or losing nutritional value.
• Using a blend of curry powder, turmeric, and optional chili flakes creates a complex, warming flavor profile typical of Chinese-style curry dishes.
• Cooking chicken in a simmering sauce ensures even heating and prevents drying out, keeping the meat juicy and fully infused with aromatic spices.
• Oyster sauce adds a rich umami depth and subtle sweetness that balances the spicy and savory elements of the curry.
• Serving over steamed rice helps absorb the delicious sauce and provides a perfect complementary base for this vibrant, quick-cooking stir-fry.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg