Nepali Chicken Curry (Easy Nepalese Curry )

Are you looking for a delicious chicken curry that doesn’t use cream or coconut milk? If so, you are in the right place! This Nepali chicken curry recipe is full of flavor and can be served with a side of rice for a complete meal.

Curry is a staple dish in every Nepalese household. Curry is called “tarkari” in Nepali. A typical Nepalese diet includes rice, lentil soup, meat or vegetables, and pickles. Curry is pretty much what we eat every day.

Chicken curry is one of my kitchen’s most frequently prepared curry, especially Nepali chicken curry or nepali chicken tarkari. It’s easy to cook and tastes great with rice or roti while being a healthier option.

I sometimes customize the recipe by adding lots of vegetables, No matter how I cook it, it always makes for the perfect side dish to rice. Of course, there are many variations and ways to cook it, but this is a simple and easy Nepali chicken curry recipe.

Here is a step-by-step photo instruction on how to cook chicken curry in Nepali style.

Table Of Contents

• Ingredients You Need For Chicken Curry Recipe

• Step-By-Step Photo Instructions

• Serving Suggestions

• Storage Suggestions

• Other Curry Recipes

Ingredients For Nepali Chicken Curry Recipe

#Chicken 

•  I use chicken thighs in this recipe because they are juicy and taste better. If you prefer, boneless skinless chicken breasts can also be used for this recipe. 

#Onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, cilantro and green chilies.

#Oil: Any vegetable oil of your choice (olive oil or any cooking oil of your choice)

#Seasoning

• salt to taste

#Spices: Turmeric powder,  cumin seeds, red Kashmiri chili powder, or red chili powder, bay leaf,  curry powder or meat masala.

• If you don’t have curry or meat masala powder, try combining ½ tsp of cumin with ½ tsp of coriander powder.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Nepalese Chicken Curry

#1 Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add one tablespoon of oil and let it heat up. Add the cumin seeds and let them cook for one minute or until they turn light golden brown. Add a bay leaf and let it cook for another minute.

#2 Then, add chopped green chili and let it cook for a min. Add chopped onion to the pan. Mix it well and stir fry until the onion turns golden brown.

#3 Add chicken. Cook it for 10-15 mins on medium heat until you can see the color changes.

#4. After that, add all spices (red kashmiri powder, turmeric powder, curry powder, salt to taste, and ginger/garlic paste). Combine everything well and cook for 2-3 mins on medium-high heat.

#5 Add chopped tomatoes. Mix it well. Cook for 5-6 mins until the tomatoes are mushy.

#6. Add water, mix it well and bring it to a boil. Cover the pan with the lid, boil, and simmer for 8-10 mins on low heat until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

#7. Finally, add cilantro and serve with rice or naan/roti.

Serving Suggestion For Nepali Chicken Curry

#Serving Suggestion for Nepali Chicken Curry:

• Rice: It is best to serve chicken curry with a hot steamed bowl of rice or any other type of grain that you prefer. This fluffy, aromatic rice pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors of the curry.

• Roti or Naan Bread: In addition to rice, you can also serve your curry with naan bread, chapatti, paratha, or any other type of flatbread.

• Pickles and Chutneys: Achar (Nepalese pickles) or chutney can be served alongside to add another flavor dimension. Tomato achar and cucumber achar could be great options.

• Salad: A simple side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette can provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich curry.

Storage Suggestion for Nepali Chicken Curry

• Refrigerator: Leftover chicken curry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Freezer: If you want to store it for longer, chicken curry can be frozen. Ensure it is cooled completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What did you think of this recipe? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Other Curry Recipes

If you are interested in trying some other curry recipes, here are some that you might like to try:

• Nepali Pork Sag Curry Recipe (Pork Curry With Leafy Greens)

• Chicken Gizzard Curry (Easy & Simple Pangra Curry)

• Dry Chicken Curry Recipe (Nepali Fried Chicken)

• Bitter Gourd Okra Curry (Karela Bhindi Curry)

• Easy Creamy Vegetable Curry (Mixed Vegetables Coconut Curry)

• Dry anchovy curry