Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh Ginger

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

A tangy and aromatic chicken curry featuring a creamy yogurt base and vibrant Indian spices, slow-cooked to tender perfection. This indian-inspired curry ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, plain yogurt, medium, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor or blender, combine 1 medium chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, and 1 chopped green chili; pulse until a coarse paste forms.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat; add the onion-garlic-ginger paste and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon ground coriander; cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 5 minutes, stirring to coat the chicken with the spice mixture.
  5. Step 5: Lower the heat and stir in 1 cup plain yogurt and 1/2 cup water; cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh Ginger 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 Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh 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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh 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 Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh 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 Slow-Simmered Yogurt Chicken Curry with Fresh Ginger?

Indian 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