5 from 2 votes
Chicken & Lentil Curry
A wonderfully simple chicken & lentil curry - nutty, juicy and impossibly creamy.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
4
Calories:
682 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds
- 4 dried chili
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaf dried or fresh
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 red onion (large, chopped)
- 4 garlic peeled & chopped, cloves
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- 2lb chicken thighs (skinless & boneless, cut into chunks)
- 1 can coconut milk (14oz/400ml)
- 1 cup moong dal (or masoor dal/red lentils)
- ½ cup chana dal
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over a moderate heat until hot. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, chillies, peppercorns, bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Let them sizzle for a minute until they begin to pop and jump around the pan.
- Add the onion and fry for 2-3 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and fry for a further 1 minute. Add the turmeric and chilli powders and stir briefly before adding the chicken. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is lightly fried and the pan hot again.
- Add the lentils and then pour in the coconut milk. Fill the can and pour in two more can-fulls of water (28oz/800ml). Season with salt.Let this come to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low and let it bubble, partially covered with a lid for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and gently simmer, uncovered for 25 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid sticking.
- The moong dal will break up completely to create a rich, creamy sauce. The chana dal should be intact but soft.
- Garnish with whatever you like - I like a simple garnish of fresh chopped tomato and sometimes a little cilantro. Serve with plenty of fluffy basmati rice or Indian breads.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
682kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
42g
(65%)
Saturated Fat
29g
(145%)
Cholesterol
55mg
(18%)
Sodium
661mg
(28%)
Potassium
397mg
(8%)
Fiber
12g
(48%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
377IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
107mg
(11%)
Iron
7mg
(39%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 682
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 682kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 29g | 145% |
| Cholesterol | 55mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 661mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 397mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 377IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 107mg | 11% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.