Description
Chicken Lentil Curry is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, nutritious lentils, and aromatic spices for a comforting and wholesome meal. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, it’s a balanced and satisfying curry inspired by traditional flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 500g (1 lb) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 150g (3/4 cup) red lentils, rinsed
- 400g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 500ml (2 cups) chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add cumin and mustard seeds and toast until they start to pop, about 1 minute.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground turmeric, ground coriander, garam masala, and chili powder. Stir to coat the onions and cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-8 minutes.
- Stir in red lentils, chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, and tomato purée. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once lentils are soft and chicken is cooked, stir in tamarind paste and sugar. Season with salt to taste.
- If needed, add a bit of water to reach your preferred consistency. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Allow spices to toast properly for maximum flavor.
- Simmer gently and stir often to avoid sticking.
- Add coconut milk for a creamier version.
- Vegetarian option: replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken lentil curry, chicken curry, lentil curry, Indian curry, spicy chicken lentils, healthy curry