Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry

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

A speedy weeknight curry combining tender chicken breast pieces with berbere, garlic, and ginger for a bold, aromatic meal in under 20 minutes. This ethiopian-inspired curry ready in about 25 minutes pairs berbere spice, minced garlic cloves, minced fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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 Ethiopian cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 tbsp berbere spice and 1 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to fully bloom the spices.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the skillet, stirring constantly to coat with the spice mixture; cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup water, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, stir well, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving with injera or steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry 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 Spiced Chicken Curry?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry?

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 Spiced Chicken Curry 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 Spiced Chicken Curry?

Ethiopian 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.

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