My family and I love this delicious, easy to prepare Indian healthy chicken curry recipe. This curry is almond based and free of tomatoes, which is a nice change from the common tomato heavy curries. It is very aromatic, mild and so delicious – I’d encourage you to try it for the whole family (the cinnamon flavour often really appeals to kids).
After spending almost a year in India (about 11 years ago), I came to adore the aromatic flavours of Indian cuisine. This is a very traditional curry, something you would definitely find in a market in India (ok, of course, I’ve added a few extra nutritious bits)! Before I went to India, I was frightened by the prospect of Indian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But now, I just can’t get enough. Leftover chicken curry for breakfast is delicious.
Health benefits
Well, the chicken forms a complete protein and the almonds contribute mood elevating fats and proteins. The ginger, garlic, and spices offer immune-boosting, antioxidant plant nutrients. The coriander is of course very detoxifying and nourishing.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
This delicious Chicken and Almond Curry is a change from the usual tomato or gravy heavy curries about. It is such a tasty meal, I hope you enjoy it.
- 500 grams boneless and skinless chicken thighs diced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 2-3 cm fresh ginger root peeled and finely grated, a lemon zester works well
- Small red chilli, to taste and finely chopped (or add individually at the table to control the heat)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 50 grams flaked or slivered almonds, toasted
- 2 onions, peeled and sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cardamon pods, crush slightly with the top of a knife handle
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (or 2 of freshly grated root)
- 50 grams almond meal
- 20 grams currants or sultanas, optional
- 300 ml natural yoghurt
- ½ cup fresh or frozen peas
- Coriander leaves, to serve
- In a large bowl mix the chicken, ginger, garlic, optional chill and lemon juice. Marinade for an hour or so (not essential, but best).
- In a large fry pan, toast the slivered or flaked almonds over a low heat and set aside.
Now heat a tablespoon or so of coconut oil or ghee over a low to medium heat and cook the onion until it starts to soften.
Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves and cook for a few minutes until you can smell them. Then add cumin, coriander, turmeric powders and almond meal.
- Mix together, add the chicken to the pan and stir gently until the chicken starts to turn opaque (only a few minutes). Season with a good pinch of sea salt.
- Next add the yoghurt and currants or sultanas and mix well.
- Cover and simmer slowly for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally, making sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Just before serving stir in the peas and top with coriander and the toasted almonds.
I like to serve this with brown or basmati rice (or quinoa), and a green salad or simply some steamed vegetables, dressed with lime juice and olive oil. If I'm feeling lazy I'll just add some broccoli, cauliflower and or carrots to the curry just before it's served to lightly cook in the sauce….a complete meal is served.
Dairy-free
Use coconut oil to sauté the onion and coconut cream instead of yoghurt.
Vegetarian
Replace the chicken with chickpeas.
Vegan
Use the dairy free and vegetarian substitutions.
Nut-free
Replace the almond meal with ground sunflower seeds.
Garlic-free
Simply omit the garlic and increase the ginger to a 5cm piece.
Grain-free
Serve with a baked sweet potato or cauliflower rice.
How has this curry been received in your household? Let me know, post a comment below.
Nat says
Yum. I’ll make this this week
Georgia Harding says
You’ll love it. Really tasty. G x
Tanya Robertson says
This sounds great and the recipe is printing as I type! I made the choc chip cookies yesterday….sooo yum! I did stop at one, my husband on the other hand stopped at 4!
Georgia Harding says
It is really flavoursome. I’m glad you liked the chocolate chip cookies and you’re way more disciplined that I stopping at one. G x
Kylie says
Hi, will put this on the menu next week 🙂 Do you happen to have a thermomix version of the recipe. Will let you know what the harshest critics think (Mr 2 & 4). Ta Kylie x
Georgia Harding says
I personally like to cook this in the pan – just my preference. In the thermo I’d make the almond meal, then chop the ginger and garlic (5 secs speed 7) in the TM to marinade the chicken. Then I’d roast the spices for a few minutes, 90, speed 1 until you can smell them. Add all of the other ingredients, mix together with the spatula and simmer 30 minutes, reverse, speed 1, temp 100. This should work. Hope your critics enjoy. You can always make it creamier by adding more yogurt (even once it’s served). G x
Rita says
This is delicious! Just made it tonight and both of my fussy eaters enjoyed it. Will definitely become a regular meal in our household. Love reading your blog Georgia and thanks for a great recipe.
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed it Rita and that it won your kids over too. Really appreciate your feedback and encouragement. G x
Tessa Davies says
Making this for the second time in 2 weeks. Love it!
Would love to see if you can come up with some kind of healthy beef satay type of curry???
My cooking creativity=0% so I rely on your recipes 🙂
Georgia Harding says
My family loves this too. Having spent 8 months in India I have lots more curries to share. I will prioritise a satay since you’ve asked. Thanks for your comment, G x
eileen says
Thanks Georgia. This recipe is delicious as are your others. I came across your blog through our local whole food store in Brunswick, Vic. I have only recently become more aware of what I eat and where it comes from and resources such as yours are so valuable along the journey…and I feel so much better! Thanks.
Georgia Harding says
Oh, pleased you’ve found me. Happy to help in any way I can, G x
Kate says
So good! I’ve adapted it a little to make in my slow cooker and with a whole, quartered chicken, and both the husband and the one-year-old love it! Thanks!
Georgia Harding says
Yum, love slow cooked anything! Great adaptation, love it and thanks for sharing, G x
Emma says
Absolutely delicious!!!
Georgia Harding says
Thanks for the feedback Emma, love this too! G x
Monique says
I made this last night – very nice! Just wondering though if you stir the slivered almonds in at the very end?
Georgia Harding says
Hi Monique, I usually just use to garnish at the end, but have just realised that’s not in the method!! Sorry will update it now, G x
julie says
I have now made this twice in the last 2 weeks, love it and so do my hubby and boys. I just throw chopped veg into the sauce at the end to steam it and served it with brown rice one time and coconut jasmine rice tonight, this is a great dish, Thanks Georgia
Georgia Harding says
Glad you enjoy it Julie, I often do the same with veges, makes it a quick, complete meal. G x
Rita says
Made this last night, Georgia, substituting diced turkey breast for chicken ( husband doesn’t like chicken) . Served with brown and black rice. Added vegetables to curry towards the end of the cooking time. Yet again – delicious!!!
Georgia Harding says
Fabulous, glad you enjoyed it Rita. Thanks for sharing your substitution G x
Lindsey says
This was a hit this evening and didn’t take as long to make as I expected. I normally steer clear of recipes with this many ingredients but I’m glad I made the exception, the whole family loved it and there is leftovers for hubby’s lunch!!
Georgia Harding says
Yep, most of the ingredients are spices so it does make it look a little complicated. Glad you all liked it Lindsey, G x
Bernie says
Have cooked the Dahl and fish cakes this week and made meals up for the freezer with both , the Dahl is sensational, fish cakes yummy can’t wait to try this chicken curry
Georgia Harding says
I think you will love this Bernie – like my dhal, it’s a traditional, aromatic Indian curry. Enjoy, G x
Paquita says
My family loved this thanks. Love variations on a curry and especially when they’re healthy and delicious.
Georgia Harding says
Glad you and your family enjoyed it Paquita G x
Courtney says
Just made it for my man with man-flu. Knockout dish, food as medicine. Thanks Georgia!
Georgia Harding says
Glad you liked it Courtney and hope the man-flu has abated! Thanks for the feedback G x
Jill says
Hi Georgia, could I make this the night before and reheat next day?. Thanks x
Georgia Harding says
Yes definitely – it will just get better. G x
Glynnis says
Delicious and easy to make. Wasn’t sure my teens would be happy about the flaked almond but they loved it 🙂
Georgia Harding says
That’s awesome Glynnis, so pleased your family enjoyed it G x
Julie says
Hi made this last night and was a huge hit with my husband, had leftovers for lunch today and had so many jealous work mates as they loved the smell. They were eating hot pies
Brooke Peterson says
This was a big hit in our house. Even Captain Fussypants ate it up with no complaints. Thank you for giving me another meal option in our house
Georgia Harding says
Yay – makes my day to win over fusspots. You’re very welcome Brooke G x
Naz says
Absolutely delicious!! I had to try not to lick the bowl! Now I have to go back into the kitchen and practice some self control- I’d like to eat the rest! Thanks!!!
Georgia Harding says
Ha ha – I adore this meal as well, thrilled you enjoyed it Naz G x
Kylie says
Made this curry tonight but not planning to eat for 2 nights. Is it ok to leave the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in or best to remove. Smells and tastes great so far.
Georgia Harding says
Sorry Kylie for the delay coming back to you – either way is fine, though if you leave them in the flavour will intensify more than if you take them out. Enjoy, we had it for dinner tonight too Gx
Sam says
Hi this sounds amazing. Can I get anywhere tips on how to adapt this to be a slow cooker recipe? I have a 15 month old who eats dinner at 5pm. So pretty much all meals are in the slow cooker these days!
Georgia Harding says
Yes, I understand. I’d just follow the directions (time/temp) of a chicken curry/ casserole/ dish for your particular cookers (trying to match a similar amount of liquid). I’ve had two slow cookers in my lifetime and they both cooked very differently so can’t really say specifically for your brand. You can also add a bit of water or coconut milk to this if you do need to increase the amount of liquid, G x
knaxgurke says
Hi Georgia,
I really like your recipes, but unfortunately I’m finding it a bit tedious to save/print them for my collection. Have you ever considered adding a “print recipe” option or something like that? (Obviously the browser-inherent option prints lots of stuff I don’t need, too.) I’m sure I’ve seen options where you can just add a link and people can then decide what to print how (e.g. remove your story about India if they just want the recipe) etc, so you wouldn’t even necessarily have to add PDFs or something. It would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! =)
Georgia Harding says
I’m finally in a position to have my website rebuilt so will ask the designer the cost to install a print function – on the list! G x
Jane says
Delicious and my kids love it!
Georgia Harding says
Yay – happy kids are always a good thing. Thanks for your feedback Jane G x
Bec says
The best! Has been on high rotation for years and I can make it with my eyes closed. My kids are always excited when they know this is for dinner. Georgia you are a celebrity in this house. Love your work xx
Georgia Harding says
Ha Ha Bec – a very ordinary celebrity! Glad you and your family love it too and thanks for your comment (and rating) G x
Kirsten Lockyer says
Hi Georgia,
I’ve made this curry so many times and the entire family love it, which I will tell you has never happened before!
Thank you!
Also – Thanks for thermomix version of recipes.
Kirsten
Georgia Harding says
Yay – that’s just awesome Kirsten. Thanks so much for commenting and rating it – my family loves this recipe too G x
Susan says
This was really good. I used 3 x the amount of chicken for the sauce ingredients. I doubled the marinade, but left the sauce as per the recipe.
Georgia Harding says
Perfect, glad you enjoyed it Susan. Thanks for the contribution of tripling the batch (and your comment / rating). Much appreciated G x
Karen says
I am yet to make as I have just seen it shared, but wondered about freezing as I like to double recipes like these to have a freezer meal for following weeks for an easy dinner on busy nights. Thank you – i look forwarx to trying soon.
Georgia Harding says
Yes – I double and freeze it often. I hope you enjoy it Karen, G x
Karen says
Thank you – I have popped it in for Wednesday night’s dinner.
TLee says
This was fantastic. A real hit with everyone in the family. We are living in the US at the moment and I could only get strained greek yoghurt with made the mixture a bit too dry so I added about 1/2 cup of coconut milk before simmering. It was delicious. I will try when I return back to Australia with natural yoghurt.
Georgia Harding says
Fabulous – thanks for your feedback, it’s always great to hear what’s working in other countries. G x
kjp says
one of the yummiest mild curries going around! Very popular in our house, even the fussy kids love it.
Georgia Harding says
Yay – love winning over fussy ones. Thanks for your feedback and for rating the recipe too G x
Leanne says
Delicious! Even my elderly mother who doesn’t like curries enjoyed it. Even said she wants that again! Thank you so much!
Georgia Harding says
Fabulous Leanne, so pleased you both enjoyed it. I did design this recipe to win over curry hesitant kids but I’ll take winning over your mum as well! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and the 5 star rating too G x
Jodie Callaghan says
It was a hit with my family last night and a perfect night for it too – cold! Next time Ill be doubling the recipe so that I have enough to freeze. I subbed coconut cream for the yoghurt as we have dairy intolerances and the only issue was that there wasnt really enough excess moisture to allow it to all come together, the mixture was a bit gluggier and the pan was drying out so I think maybe next time Ill just add a bit more or a tiny bit of water. Thanks! Im trying the Kale Pesto tonight – Im really not sure how I will go getting it over the line with miss 4 and mr 6 – but Im hopeful!
Georgia Harding says
Glad you all enjoyed it Jodie – yes a bit more liquid or simmering lower will slow the reduction down. Hope the Kale pesto was as well received G x
Rosie says
A family favourite served over cauli rice… thanks again!
Georgia Harding says
Thanks Rosie for your feedback and for rating the recipe. Thrilled it’s a fave G x
Aneta says
Very tasty! I had to make few changes- no onion or garlic so used fennel and more ginger instead. I also used chicken breast and roasted pepitas cause didn’t have any almond flakes:) still turned out really good?
Georgia Harding says
Great adjustments Aneta, thanks for sharing them and glad you enjoyed it Gx
Anja says
Thank you for such an incredible recipe Georgia! I made this as our New Year’s Eve dinner which was an absolute hit. We loved every delicious morsel! Thank you for your creativity & for sharing such wonderful recipes to liven up meal times!
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed it Anja. I love this curry, so simple but so delicious. Thanks for the feedback and the 5 stars!!! G x