Yogurt Chicken Curry Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

Yogurt ChickenCurry - The chicken curry from Northern India which is must try for every Indian food lover. This flavorful curry has no sugars, no nuts, no creams but a simple and flavorful Indian mother sauce base made with yogurt, onion, garlic and spices.

This is a kinda curry which Indians love to enjoy with homemade whole wheat bread, crispy charred naan, or fresh steamed rice... any day of the week.

Time and again, when people ask me for a good chicken curry recipe.... I feel necessary to reach out and tell everyone what is a good chicken curry or how to make a chicken curry?

Now, every restaurant has a different definition of chicken curry and that's what locals in that area are known too. Actually, even in India, every region has local variation of chicken curry. Yogurt based curry is, by-far, the most popular and authentic chicken curry of Northern India... where in South, coconut milk or tamarind is used as mainsubstitute for yogurt.

Yogurt Chicken Curry Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (1)

In different regions... few change in spices originate a new kind of Chicken Curry. Like:

1) Addition of tamarind and potatoes and it becomes - Vindaloo
2) cream and it becomes Korma
3) greens instead of turmeric and it becomes saag chicken curry.
4) Lots of chilies and it is Kashmiri Chicken Curry
5) or lots of warm spices and you have the Khara Chicken Curry.

This list is so endless that it will be unfair if I just list one ingredient and say a name of curry.

This post I'm dedicating to making a perfect, homemade Indian-style... I mean, North Indian-style chicken curry which is made with thick Greek-style yogurt, warm spices, chicken, onion, and garlic. The curries you taste in buffets in US are nothing like this home-style curry. There is no sugar, no creams in this to mask the flavor of spices. It is not hot spicy curry but you will be able to taste every bit of love that has gone into it.

Yogurt Chicken Curry Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2)

To make chicken curry, I start by grating the base mother sauce ingredients. Mother curry sauce or masala is grated mixture of onion, garlic, ginger and green chili. It is not a paste but coarse grated mix which is sauted in oil or clarified butter until oil shows on sides and onion, garlic are lite golden brown. These mild caramelized bits of onion give subtle sweetness to the curry. In this brown mixture, grated tomatoes are cooked until they fully disintegrate. This cooked mixture of onion and tomatoes - a.k.a mother curry sauce can be prepared up-to one week in advance.

Now, it is time to add the spices. A quick saute of spices awaken flavor, taking curry to whole new level.

After sauting the spices, the star ingredient - yogurt is added. Mostly, yogurt is hung or allowed to drain while masala cooks. This removes water content from yogurt leaving behind thick and creamy, whey like yogurt. I usually use Greek yogurt because it is closest and ready-to-use match of hung-curd (yogurt). I add yogurt in small batches and mix well after every addition to avoid curdling.

Once, yogurt is fully mixed... Only step left is to add chicken, water and then cook until chicken is fully cooked and gravy is thick. I complete this step in variety to vessels. In instant pot pressure cooker, slow cooker, dutch oven or simple heavy bottom deep sauce pan too. The time taken is usually same as time taken to cook the chicken in any of these.

Not that hard, right?

Make masala, mix-in add yogurt, add chicken!

Viola! Curry is ready!

Note: Coconut milk is a non-tangy non-dairy substitute for yogurt. If you want to keep curry dairy free.. You can also use almond yogurt instead.

Yogurt Chicken Curry Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (3)

For my family, it is a meal we grew-up with. So, no one say "no" or no one even speak while enjoying a bowl of chicken yogurt curry with their favorite side of naan/bread/rice. The only voice you will hear is to ask for some more gravy!! :)

I'm wrapping-up today's post very quickly because I need to get up to cook dinner... I might cook the same chicken curry again... feeling nostalgic after sharing this post with you...

Honestly, all ingredients for this recipe will be in your pantry. I bet! If you can't find spices, use mix of garam masala and curry powder instead. Enjoy a cozy winter night with a hearty chicken curry, made Indian home-style!

Enjoy and don't forget to share with me your favorite childhood recipe that you still fell nostalgic about.

Have a wonderful day! -Savita

Yogurt Chicken Curry Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

What does adding yogurt to curry do? ›

It's common practice in India to add yogurt to Indian cooking. People add it to curry to balance the spices and lighten the dish. It can also make thick curry, a thin. Hence, it can really elevate the flavors of the dish.

What kind of yogurt is best for curry? ›

Yogurt should be thick Greek yogurt which is not very sour. If you are not sure about yogurt use or afraid it will curdle.. Use half yogurt and half cream and mix it in last step after the curry is ready.

Can I use yogurt instead of coconut milk in a curry? ›

Yogurt. Like heavy cream and half and half, higher fat plain yogurts of all types could also substitute coconut milk for the color and a similarly smooth and creamy texture. Because yogurt has a lower fat content than coconut milk, the consistency could be slightly thinner with the 1:1 substitution ratio.

Can I mix yogurt and coconut milk? ›

Put the yogurt with live cultures into a small bowl. Gradually stir in enough of the warm coconut milk mixture to liquefy the yogurt and mix until smooth. Then pour the liquefied culture back into the large container of coconut milk mixture and stir gently to distribute.

How to add yogurt to curry without curdling? ›

A smart trick to avoid yogurt from curdling is to add a smart portion of gravy to the yogurt and whisk it in. This act is called 'Tempering'. Further, you can add the tempered curd to the hot gravy/curry. It enables a slow rise in temperature, thus preventing curdling.

Do you put Greek yogurt or cream in curry? ›

While cream and Greek yogurt are both dairy products, they have different textures and flavors, so substituting one for the other can affect the taste and consistency of the dish. In Tikka Masala, Greek yogurt is often used to provide a tangy and creamy base for the sauce, while cream adds richness and sweetness.

Do I really need coconut milk for curry? ›

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

Does coconut milk thicken curry? ›

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Is coconut cream or milk better for curry? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

When to add coconut milk to curry? ›

Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

Is coconut milk yogurt good for your stomach? ›

Coconut yogurt is made from fermented coconut milk, starch and live bacteria cultures, excellent for your gut. While most commercially produced coconut yogurt is full of sugar and stripped of nutrients, Koko Kai is a probiotic-rich formula, packed with good bacteria, which supports the digestive system.

Is Greek yogurt better than coconut milk? ›

Greek yoghurt is far better across the board (although taste is subjective though). Greek yoghurt can contribute to optimized protein levels and better bone health outcomes. Coconut yogurt can contribute to a lighter wallet and no discernable nutrition gains.

Does yogurt make curry milder? ›

A dollop of yogurt or soured cream works wonders on Indian-style curries and your chilli base if you have really gone overboard with heat.

Can I add yogurt to thicken curry? ›

A thick yogurt, like Greek yogurt, works best. Simply add a small amount of yogurt, like a spoonful, at a time. Stir your yogurt into the curry and keep adding a little more at a time until it reaches your desired thickness. This is great for Indian-style curries as a cream substitute.

Why does yogurt split in curry? ›

It happens when it is added to a dish which is too hot. Adding yogert on high flame leads to curdling . To avoid it whisk it properly before putting it in a dish. While cooking with yogurt simmer before you add it in the dish ,stir , then let it boil on a medium to high flame while stirring occasionally.

What brings out the Flavour of curry? ›

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

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