Sri Lankan Chicken Curry

This Sri Lankan chicken curry recipe is hot and full of flavor from tamarind, roasted spices, and coconut milk. Serve with basmati or jasmine rice.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 393 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 8 green cardamom pods
• 4 green chile peppers, halved lengthwise
• 3 (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 12 curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, crushed
• 1 (2 inch) cinnamon stick, broken in half
• 3 tablespoons roasted Madras curry powder
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.5 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon tamarind juice
• 0.25 cup Madras curry powder
• 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Combine the vinegar, tamarind juice, 1/4 cup curry powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat.

Step 2

Heat the coconut oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat. Cook the sliced onion, green chiles, cardamom pods, cloves, curry leaves, ginger, and cinnamon stick until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 3

Add the chicken mixture, water, and tomato paste. Stir and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted curry powder and stir until evenly dispersed.

Step 4

Gradually stir in the coconut milk and simmer for 2 to 3 more minutes. (Do not overheat or the coconut milk may curdle.)