Rajpura-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry
A flavorful chicken curry infused with aromatic Punjabi spices and fresh herbs, inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Rajpura. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, vegetable oil, large, finely chopped onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- to taste salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, and 1 tsp garam masala, stirring for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup tomato puree and simmer for 5 minutes until the oil separates from the masala.
- Step 5: Add 1 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into chunks along with 1/4 cup plain yogurt and 1 cup water; stir to combine.
- Step 6: Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes until chicken is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 7: Season with salt to taste and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving hot with basmati rice or naan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rajpura-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Rajpura-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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rajpura-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 Rajpura-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 Rajpura-Inspired Spiced Chicken Curry?
Indian chicken 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.
