This simple made-from-scratch slow-cooked spicy chicken curry is delicious! Cooked in the Crock Pot to intensify the heat and flavour.
Everyone loves a good take-out curry, but homemade chicken curry is something special. Even more so if you raid that spice cabinet and make everything from scratch.
Served up in the middle of the table with a mountain of rice, some pita bread and mango chutney and you have a feast that’ll beat anything on that take-out menu!
I make this one in my slow-cooker - but you could also cook it in a dutch oven or oven-proof pan.
Here's what you'll need
We made the video for this one a few weeks ago, before we got our new Crock Pot (which I absolutely L-O-V-E by the way. You can sear the meat, cook the onions etc on the sear setting, so there's no need to do any pre-cooking in a pan first. If there's a way to save on washing up you can always count me in).
So whilst we videoed it with some initial frying, I'll be using the Crock Pot for the whole thing next time.
First we soften the onions, seal the chicken and stir in the garlic and spices:
Cook for a few minutes until the spices release their fragrance:
Then add the stock, coconut milk, tomatoes and a little sugar, before slow cooking for 3-4 hours.
Serve it up with boiled rice and Garlic Naan or Chapatti.
The curry uses a fair number of spices as well as 3 teaspoons of HOT chilli powder to give you a medium-hot curry. If you want to dial down the heat, just use less or replace with mild chilli powder.
If you want to make enough for leftovers, you can double the amounts of everything no problem, If you do this, you may need to stir in a little cornflour slurry at the end to thicken it (1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with 2 tbsp cold water).
Any leftovers can be cooled, covered and refrigerated or frozen for a super-quick mid-week meal.
My friend Katherine over at Veggie Desserts has an easy naan bread recipe that would be great with this too!
Equipment
In order to make this delicious Slow-cooked spicy chicken curry you will need:
- Slow cooker < we absolutely LOVE our Crockpot!
- A good Kitchen knife. In the video I use my Leiths knife however I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it.
- Chopping Board
- Measuring Jug
- Fying Pan/Skillet or a Wok.
- Measuring Spoons
- Garlic Press
- Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons. We have just bought these and love them.
FAQ's
Can I make this curry gluten free?
Yes! If you're using a stock cube or store-bought stock, simply make sure it's a gluten free version (bouillon is a good replacement for stock cubes).
The rest of the ingredients are usually gluten free, but it's best to check the particular brands you use.
Can I cook it in the oven or on the hob?
Yes. If you want to cook this in the oven, preheat it to 150C/300F. Place a lid on the pan at step 6, and cook in the oven for 2-3 hours - check and stir once or twice during cooking.
Cook on the hob over a low heat with a lid on the pan for 1-2 hours. Check and stir a few times during cooking to ensure the chicken doesn't stick to the pan.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes - I like to replace the chicken with chunks of courgette (zucchini) and mushrooms. Add in a tin of chickpeas ( drained) during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking.
You could also use quorn pieces, tofu, bell peppers, green beans, aubergine (eggplant).
Replace the chicken stock with vegetarian stock too.
Can I refrigerate or freeze the leftovers?
Yes - quickly cool, cover and refrigerate/freeze the leftovers. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a pan until piping hot throughout.
Can I replace the coconut milk?
Yes. Add a little extra chicken stock during the cooking process then stir in some double (heavy) cream at the end. Make sure you add the cream after the cooking process so that it doesn’t split and separate.
Serve With:
I like to serve mine with Homemade Chapati and boiled rice (I have a tutorial on How to Cook Rice < HERE). You could also serve this delicious curry with Pilau rice, a simple Tomato & Onion Salad and homemade cucumber raita.
More Delicious Curry Recipes
We LOVE our curries and we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to them, if you like this Spicy Chicken Curry then you'll enjoy:
Oh there's soo many more to try...
Watch how to make it
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Slow-Cooker Spicy Chicken Curry
Ingredients
The Curry:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion - peeled and chopped
- 3 chicken breasts - boneless and skinless diced (approx 500g/17.5 oz)
- 3 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
- 1 large piece of ginger - about the size of your thumb, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tsp hot chilli powder - use less or mild chilli if you don’t like your curry too hot
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- ½ tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 240 ml (1 cup) chicken stock - (water plus a stock cube - or bouillon for gluten free - is fine)
- 400 g (14 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree/paste
- 2 tsp sugar - this is to counteract the acidity in the tomatoes
- 400 ml (14oz) can full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch) - mixed with 5 tbsp cold water to make a slurry - *optional*
To Serve:
- Boiled rice
- Chopped coriander (cilantro) and finely chopped chillies
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your slow cooker (crockpot) to high. Heat the oil in a large pan (or the Crock Pot if it has a sear function), add in the onion and cook on a medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until just sealed.
- Add in the garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, chilli powder, ground coriander, cumin, curry powder, paprika and cinnamon.
- Stir to coat the chicken and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the stock, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, sugar and coconut milk.
- Stir, bring to a gently bubble then pour into your slow cooker and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
- Take the lid off and give everything a stir (the oils will have risen to the top, so you can spoon most of it out, or just stir it back in).
- If you would like to thicken the curry, stir in the cornflour slurry. This is optional, you can leave it out if the curry thickness is to your liking.
- Sprinkle with coriander (cilantro) and serve with rice.
Video
✎ Notes
The rest of the ingredients are usually gluten free, but it's best to check the particular brands you use. . Can I cook it in the oven or on the hob (stove)? Yes. If you want to cook this in the oven, preheat it to 150C/300F. Place a lid on the pan at step 6, and cook in the oven for 2-3 hours - check and stir once or twice during cooking. Cook on the hob (stove) over a low heat with a lid on the pan for 1-2 hours. Check and stir a few times during cooking to ensure the chicken doesn't stick to the pan. . Can I make it vegetarian? Yes - I like to replace the chicken with chunks of courgette (zucchini) and mushrooms. Add in a tin of chickpeas ( drained) during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking. You could also use quorn pieces, tofu, bell peppers, green beans, aubergine (eggplant). Replace the chicken stock with vegetarian stock too. . Can I refrigerate or freeze the leftovers? Yes - quickly cool, cover and refrigerate/freeze the leftovers. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a pan until piping hot throughout. . Can I replace the coconut milk? Yes. Add a little extra chicken stock during the cooking process then stir in some double (heavy) cream at the end. Make sure you add the cream after the cooking process so that it doesn’t split and separate. . Nutritional information is per serving, not including rice.
Nutrition
This post was first published in February 2016. Updated in Oct 2018 with step by step photos, recipe video and tips.
More Slow-Cooked Recipes
If you have a slow cooker (affiliate link) them why not try it some of my other slow cooker recipes like these:
- Slow Cooked Beef & Pork Chilli
- Healthier Slow Cooked Spicy Beef Curry
- Healthier Slow Cooked Spicy Chicken Rogan Josh
- Slow Cooked Beef Ragu with Rigatoni
- Slow Cooker Short Ribs
- Pork Gyros Recipe
- Ramen
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors for more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
I made this curry first for DIYS.com
Ann-Maree says
Loved this chicken curry.
Knocked back the chilli a bit though as we don’t like it so hot.
Will definitely make this again.
Lisa C says
Omg…. This is the yummiest dish. I followed the recipe, only adding some Thai chili peppers because I had some on hand. With or without this, this is an incredibly delicious recipe.
Courtney says
Absolutely loved this curry recipe and is hands down the best curry I’ve ever made. I like a medium spice, so put a teaspoon less of the hot chilli powder in and it came out perfectly for us. I think next time I would just put a stock pot in and leave out the water altogether as felt there was too much liquid. Some of the comments are correct in terms of maybe it’s a little more prep work than the tag name would suggest, but to get those flavours it was so worth it!!! Thanks for the amazing recipe - a staple from now on as so easy to cook and freeze portions as well
Courtney Randeria says
Absolutely loved this curry recipe and is hands down the best curry I’ve ever made. I like a medium spice, so put a teaspoon less of the hot chilli powder in and it came out perfectly for us. I think next time I would just put a stock pot in and leave out the water altogether as felt there was too much liquid. Some of the comments are correct in terms of maybe it’s a little more prep work than the tag name would suggest, but to get those flavours it was so worth it!!! Thanks for the amazing recipe - a staple from now on as so easy to cook and freeze portions as well
Karen says
Please don't promise a recipe when it's only being made with your upgraded slow cooker. No, we all don't have the newest most expensive items to cook with.
I'm sure we will carry on with our older slow cookers somehow.
Nicky Corbishley says
You don't need a new slow cooker for this recipe at all Karen. I just mentioned in my blog post that I was excited that I got a new one and what it could do.
However, the recipe instructions are for anyone making this recipe, no matter what slow cooker they're using.
Courtney says
Such a Karen thing to say, Karen
Kerry says
Lovely tasting curry
Sarah Saxby says
This curry is awesome and had so many great comments. Easy to make.
Mrs P says
Delicious- best slow cooker curry we’ve tried.
Kelly says
I had to rate this amazing curry. I have tried many curries but this one is the winner. So flavoursome and spicy just how we like!
Anne says
I've made this recipe several times now. The first time I overcooked the chicken as I didn't check it after 3hours. But have successfully made it twice now. The curry sauce is so delicious I use any left over sauce with sausages the next day
Graham Migdalski says
Absolutely brilliant recipe have dialled down the chilli as my wife doesn’t like it too hot and I suspect the curry powder I have has chilli in it and makes it extra spicy. I do add the slurry to thicken it and also 10 mins before serving stir fry a couple of red peppers to give the curry a bit of extra crunch.
Maria Moscrop says
Awesome a firm family favourite!! X
Chris Hardy says
This is so useful! I embellished by grating in fresh ginger and turmeric. I toasted desiccated coconut and added it, also ground up cloves, coriander seed, cardamom and added them in. I used some chicken tikka and korma pastes instead of curry powder. I appreciate no nonsense recipes that I can easily adapt to my style of cooking. This ticks all the boxes as a basic and reliable recipe
David says
This is one of the tastiest curries I have made, it is delicious and full of flavour, I added a tablespoon of paprika but otherwise followed the recipe, cooking the curry in my slow cooker. There was enough left to have it over baked potatoes two days later. Certainly make this again