Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fast, bold Ethiopian chicken curry bursting with berbere spice, fresh garlic, and ginger, perfect for weeknight dinners. This african-inspired curry ready in about 25 minutes pairs berbere spice blend, finely minced garlic cloves, grated fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced red onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1.5 tbsp berbere spice blend and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly to release aroma.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cubes, stirring to coat with spices, and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken starts to brown.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 large diced tomato and 3/4 cup chicken broth, then season with 1 tsp salt.
  7. Step 7: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with rice or flatbread.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep berbere spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Chicken Curry with Garlic and Ginger?

African curry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes