Chicken balti is one of those immense curries that packs in loads of flavour in a fairly short cooking time – no slow cooking required here. That makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

It’s often tempting to use one of those jars of curry sauce to make a quick curry on a busy evening. Don’t do it! This is just as easy, but you’ll get something that’s absolutely singing with flavour, rather than a flat meal that’s not at all satisfying.

Balti is a great curry – it’s got spice, zing and a touch of sweetness from red bell pepper. It’s perfect alongside a mild curry – like my butter halloumi, some white rice and maybe naan bread. You could also serve with a Courgette and Coconut Dal or Bottom-of-the-Freezer Vegetable Dahl.

Ingredients, Substitutions and Variations

  • Vegetable oil – or you could use ghee.
  • Onion, garlic and ginger – this makes the base of your curry. You can use frozen minced garlic and ginger to make things easier.
  • Green chilli – this brings the spice, so use as much or as little as you like!
  • Red bell pepper and tomato – these vegetables bring an irresistible freshness and sweetness to the curry.
  • Tomato puree – make sure you use proper tomato puree, not chopped tomatoes or passata.
  • Tandoori masala and madras powder – these two spice mixes combine to make for a beautiful curry. They’re easy to buy online, or you can make your own at home – there are plenty of spice mix recipes online.
  • Chicken – I used skinless and boneless thigh – for me, it’s the most flavourful bit of chicken. However, you could use chicken breast.
  • Coriander and lime – optional, to serve.

Top Tips

  1. This curry needs plenty of stirring – We cook it fairly quickly, so make sure you stir often to cook it evenly and ensure that nothing burns.
  2. The flavour is at the bottom – When you add the water, use your wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan. There will be amazing flavour in the crust at the bottom – make sure it gets into your curry!
  3. This is a dry curry – Not a saucy one, so you may think there isn’t enough liquid at first. You just need enough to coat everything and cook the chicken, that’s all.

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Chicken balti Top view

Chicken Balti

Harriet Young
May 10, 2024
A quick and delicious chicken balti curry packed full of spice and flavour.
5
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled and diced
  • 2 inch piece of ginger peeled and diced
  • 1 green chilli diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 tomato diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp tandoori masala
  • 1 tbsp madras powder
  • 320 g boneless skinless chicken thigh cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 small handful fresh coriander leaves to serve
  • 1 lime to serve

Instructions
 

  • Pour the vegetable oil into a large saucepan and put on a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for approximately ten minutes, stirring regularly, until it starts to caramelise.
  • Add the ginger and garlic. Cook for another two minutes until it’s really fragrant.
  • Add the chilli, tomato puree, red pepper and tomato. Stir well, then add the tandoori masala and madras powder. Give it another good stir, and cook for another two minutes.
  • Add the chicken. Cook for around five minutes until the chicken is starting to brown.
  • Tip in 100ml cold water. Stir well and get all of the flavour from the bottom of the pan. Cook – stirring frequently- for another ten minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Keyword chicken, curry
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5 responses to “Chicken Balti”

  1. 5 stars
    I am always looking for more chicken recipes, and this one is a winner in my books! Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Super delicious and so quick to whip up! I served it up with some fresh garlic naan, and it was a total hit! Thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    Best Balti curry recipe I’ve tried to make at home! Tasted like I ordered out, it was so good! I served with rice and naan and couldn’t stop eating!!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve never made balti curry before, but I will definitely be making it regularly now. I just love the hint of sweetness from the red pepper with the aromatic sauce. Next time I’m making a double batch. I’m sure it will freeze well?

  5. 5 stars
    Wow this curry really was so flavorful and so easy to make! My whole family loved it!

5 from 5 votes

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Hi there!

I’m Harriet, writer and cook, and I’m so pleased to have you here! I love nothing more than cooking delicious food and sharing it with the world. You can find out more about me here.