Heavenly Slow Cooked Madras Chicken Curry
Savor the rich, aromatic flavors of this Heavenly Slow Cooked Madras Chicken Curry. Using a crock pot, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful, fragrant meal that infuses your home with enticing spices and warmth. With a perfect balance of sweet mango chutney and a touch of tartness from Granny Smith apples, each bite is a journey through layers of flavor. The slow-cooking method ensures the chicken becomes tender and succulent, melding harmoniously with the spices and fruit. Customize your curry by using your favorite variety of curry powder and chutney to find the perfect balance of heat and sweetness that suits your palate. Enjoy this delectable dish over rice or with warm naan for a complete culinary experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onions
2 small (about 2 cups) (finely diced)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons))
Jalapeno
1/2 (finely diced (about 1/2 tablespoon))
Gingerroot
1 tablespoon (minced)
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
Madras curry powder
2 tablespoons (none)
Mango chutney
3/4 cup (none)
Chicken breasts or thighs
1 1/4 lbs (boneless and skinless)
Granny Smith apple
1 (cut into medium to large chunks)
Instructions
1
Begin by lightly spraying the interior of your crock pot with cooking spray for easier cleanup.
2
Layer the bottom of the crock pot with the finely diced onions, minced garlic, and diced jalapeño to create a flavorful base.
3
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs on top of the onion mixture, ensuring even coverage.
4
In a separate bowl, mix together the Madras curry powder, mango chutney, tomato paste, and minced ginger until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken.
5
Add the large chunks of Granny Smith apple on top of the curry mixture, allowing their natural sweetness to blend into the dish as it cooks.
6
Cover and cook on the high setting for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked but not disintegrating.
7
Once done, remove the chicken from the crock pot and stir the sauce to blend all the ingredients together.
8
If a thicker sauce is desired, mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water until well dissolved, then stir it into the sauce and cook until the sauce reaches a glossy consistency.
9
Serve the curry hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, over a bed of rice or with bread, and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Slow Cooked Madras Chicken Curry?
It is a rich, aromatic dish made in a crock pot that combines chicken with Madras curry powder, mango chutney, and Granny Smith apples for a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
What equipment is required for this recipe?
You will need a crock pot or slow cooker to prepare this meal.
How long should the chicken cook in the crock pot?
The chicken should be cooked on the high setting for 4 to 5 hours until tender.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, you can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe.
Why are Granny Smith apples used in this curry?
Granny Smith apples provide a touch of tartness that balances the sweetness of the mango chutney and the warmth of the spices.
Is this Madras chicken curry spicy?
The dish features a blend of Madras curry powder and jalape!o, but the heat is balanced by the sweet fruit ingredients.
How can I adjust the heat level of the curry?
You can customize the heat by choosing a milder or hotter variety of curry powder and adjusting the amount of jalape!o used.
What side dishes go well with this curry?
This dish is best enjoyed served hot over a bed of rice or with warm naan bread.
Do I need to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
No, the recipe instructions call for layering the raw chicken directly on top of the onion mixture in the crock pot.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming too dry?
The slow-cooking method in a sauce ensures the chicken stays succulent, provided you do not cook it past the point of it being tender.
What is the role of mango chutney in this dish?
The mango chutney adds a sweet, fruity depth that harmonizes with the savory spices and tart apples.
Can I use a different type of curry powder?
Yes, you can use your favorite variety of curry powder to find the specific flavor profile that suits your palate.
How can I thicken the curry sauce?
If a thicker sauce is desired, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the sauce until it reaches a glossy consistency.
How should the onions be prepared?
You should use approximately 2 small onions, finely diced to equal about 2 cups.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 garlic cloves, minced, which is roughly 1.5 tablespoons.
What is the best way to prepare the ginger?
The gingerroot should be minced, requiring about 1 tablespoon for the sauce mixture.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
Should the apples be cut into small pieces?
No, the recipe suggests cutting the Granny Smith apple into medium to large chunks so they blend into the dish as it cooks.
How much chicken does this recipe require?
You will need 1.25 lbs of boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
Is the jalape!o necessary for the recipe?
While it adds a flavorful base, you can adjust or omit the half-tablespoon of diced jalape!o if you prefer a milder dish.
What is the first step in preparing the crock pot?
Begin by lightly spraying the interior of the crock pot with cooking spray for easier cleanup.
How is the base of the curry formed?
The base is created by layering finely diced onions, minced garlic, and diced jalape!o at the bottom of the crock pot.
When do I add the sauce mixture?
The mixture of curry powder, chutney, tomato paste, and ginger is poured evenly over the chicken before adding the apples.
What should I do once the cooking time is complete?
Remove the chicken from the crock pot and stir the sauce to ensure all ingredients are well blended.
Can I garnish this dish?
Yes, you can garnish the curry with fresh herbs before serving if desired.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food because of its warm spices and slow-cooked, tender texture.
Can I cook this on a low setting instead of high?
While the recipe specifies the high setting for 4-5 hours, slow cookers can typically be converted to low for roughly double the time, though high is recommended for this specific texture.
Is this an easy recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a complex meal using a slow cooker.
What cuisine does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is inspired by Indian cuisine, specifically featuring the Madras style of curry.
How do I ensure the sauce is glossy?
By stirring in a cornstarch slurry at the end and cooking it briefly, the sauce will achieve a glossy, thick consistency.