Easy Sri Lankan Spicy Chicken Curry Recipe for Dinner

Do you want to cook an amazing meal for your family?

This guide shows you how to make a delicious chicken curry. You will start by sautéing fragrant onions, chilies, and curry leaves. Then, you will add chicken and a special blend of spices. The chicken simmers in a rich tomato gravy in just 7 minutes.

Key Takeaways

• Adjust chili amount to control the spice level.
• Add coconut milk for a richer, creamier curry.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day.

This Sri Lankan spicy chicken curry recipe is very easy to follow. This article will give you all the steps and tips you need.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here is a quick look at what you need to know. This table gives you the times, servings, and skill level for this simple recipe.

Preparation Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Yield	Skill Level	Spice Level
15 Minutes	25 Minutes	40 Minutes	4-6 Servings	Beginner	Medium (Adjustable)

Why a Sri Lankan Spicy Chicken Curry is a Must-Try for Dinner

This chicken curry is a wonderful choice for dinner. It brings warm and exciting flavors to your dinner table, making any evening special and memorable.

An Aromatic Explosion of Flavors

This dish has many wonderful smells and tastes. Roasted curry powder gives it a deep, earthy flavor. Fresh curry leaves add a special, unique scent. The mix of ginger, garlic, and chilies creates a warm and spicy kick. Every single bite is packed with amazing flavor.

Incredibly Versatile for Any Meal

You can enjoy this curry for more than just dinner. It is perfect with warm roti or fluffy rice. You can also use the leftovers to make another meal. For example, you can create a tasty Chicken Kottu Roti. This makes your meal planning easy and delicious.

A Perfect Balance of Spice and Richness

This curry has the perfect amount of spice. The green chilies add some heat. The smooth tomato sauce makes it rich and tangy. Using red Kashmiri chili powder adds a beautiful red color. It does this without making the dish too hot to handle for everyone.

How to Prepare the Sri Lankan Spicy Chicken Curry

Making this curry is simple when you follow these instructions. First, gather all your ingredients to make the cooking process smooth and easy.

Ingredients	Amount	Alternative
Diced Onions	1.5 cups	Shallots or White Onions
Sliced Green Chilies	1-2 tbsp	Jalapeños or Serrano Peppers
Fresh Curry Leaves	1/2 cup	Dried Curry Leaves (use half the amount)
Boneless Chicken Thigh	2 lbs (1 kg)	Bone-in Chicken Pieces or Chicken Breast
Ginger & Garlic Paste	2 tbsp	Freshly Grated Ginger and Garlic
Tomato Paste	2 tbsp	Ketchup (for color and sweetness)
Roasted Sri Lankan Curry Powder	4 tbsp	Any standard Madras Curry Powder
Red Kashmiri Chili Powder	1 tsp	Paprika (for color, less heat)
Fresh Puréed Tomatoes	2 cups	Canned Crushed Tomatoes
Water	1 cup	Chicken or Vegetable Broth
Oil	4-5 tbsp	Ghee or Coconut Oil
Salt	To taste	Soy Sauce (use sparingly)

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

First, you need to build a fragrant base for the curry. Heat some oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sliced green chilies.

Cook them for a few minutes until the onions become soft and clear. Then, add the fresh curry leaves to the pan. Sauté for another minute until you can smell their wonderful aroma.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken and Deepen the Flavor

Next, add the boneless chicken pieces to the pan. Season the chicken well with salt to your personal taste. Stir everything to sear the chicken on all sides.

Now, add the ginger-garlic paste and the tomato paste. Mix these pastes into the chicken thoroughly. This step helps to build a deep and rich layer of flavor for your amazing curry.

Step 3: Infuse the Spices

Now it is time to add the spice powders. Sprinkle the roasted Sri Lankan curry powder and the red Kashmiri chili powder over the chicken. Stir everything together very well.

Let the spices cook with the chicken for about a minute. This important step is called “blooming.” It helps the spices release their full, delicious aroma and flavor into the dish.

Step 4: Creating the Rich Gravy

Finally, create the delicious gravy. Pour the fresh puréed tomatoes and one cup of water into the pan. Stir everything well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the curry to a gentle simmer.

Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The gravy will thicken and the chicken will become perfectly tender. Your delicious curry is now ready to serve.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Result

These simple tips will help you make the perfect curry every time. Following these small tricks can make a big difference in the final taste.

Use Fresh Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Using fresh ingredients makes your curry taste much better. Fresh curry leaves have a stronger smell than dried ones. Freshly puréed tomatoes provide a bright, tangy flavor.

If you can, always choose fresh items. They will give your dish a very authentic and delicious taste that everyone will love.

Control the Spice Level

You can easily change how spicy this curry is. For less heat, use fewer green chilies or remove them completely.

Red Kashmiri chili powder adds great color without much spice. If you like it very hot, you can add more green chilies. This way, the dish is perfect for everyone.

Choose the Right Cut of Chicken

The type of chicken you use is important. Boneless chicken thighs are a great choice because they stay juicy and tender. Chicken breast can also be used, but be careful not to overcook it.

You can also use bone-in chicken. It adds more flavor to the gravy, but it needs more time to cook.

How to Store and Serve Your Sri Lankan Spicy Chicken Curry

Knowing how to store and serve your curry will make your meal even better. Here are some easy tips for you to follow.

The Storing Method

• Let the curry cool down completely before storing it. This helps keep it fresh and safe to eat later on.
• Place the leftover curry in an airtight container. This prevents other smells from getting in and keeps the curry’s flavor strong.
• You can store the curry in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often become even better the next day.

The Serving Method

• This curry is delicious served hot with warm bread. Godamba roti is a traditional choice, but naan bread also works well.
• Serving the curry with a side of steamed rice is perfect. The rice soaks up all the wonderful gravy and flavors.
• You can use the leftovers to make another great dish. Try making Chicken Kottu Roti for a completely new and exciting meal.

Variations to Try

You can change this recipe to create new flavors. These simple variations add a different touch to this already wonderful and classic dish.

Add a Creamy Touch with Coconut Milk

For a richer and creamier curry, add coconut milk. Stir in about half a cup of full-fat coconut milk near the end of cooking.

Let it simmer gently for a few minutes. This will make the gravy thicker and give it a mild, sweet flavor. It also helps to balance the spiciness.

Incorporate Vegetables for a Complete Meal

You can easily add vegetables to this curry. Add diced potatoes or carrots along with the chicken so they have enough time to cook.

Also add quicker-cooking vegetables like green beans or bell peppers in the last few minutes. This makes the dish a complete and healthy one-pot meal.

Common Mistakes, Solution and Prevention

Even simple recipes can have challenges. Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them, ensuring your curry turns out perfectly every time.

Mistake #01: The Curry is Too Watery

• Solution: If the gravy is too thin, simply let it simmer uncovered. Cook for a few more minutes on low heat. This will allow the extra water to evaporate and the gravy to thicken up.
• Prevention: When making the gravy, add the water slowly. You can stop adding water once you reach the thickness you like. Starting with less water is always easier than fixing a watery curry later.

Mistake #02: The Chicken is Dry and Chewy

• Solution: If your chicken is overcooked, you can shred it. Let the shredded chicken sit in the warm gravy. This will help it absorb some moisture and become more tender before you serve the dish.
• Prevention: Use chicken thighs, as they are less likely to dry out. Cook the chicken just until it is done. Avoid high heat for too long. Searing it first and then simmering it helps keep it juicy.

Mistake #03: The Spices Taste Raw

• Solution: If the spices have a raw taste, the curry needs more cooking time. Let it simmer on low heat for an extra 10 minutes. This gives the spices enough time to cook out completely.
• Prevention: Always “bloom” your spices properly. This means frying the spice powders in the hot oil with the aromatics for at least a minute. This step is key to developing a deep and fully cooked flavor.

FAQ

Can I use regular curry powder instead of roasted Sri Lankan curry powder?
Yes, you can. While roasted Sri Lankan curry powder offers a unique taste, any good Madras curry powder will work well. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

How can I make this chicken curry less spicy for my family?
To make it milder, reduce or leave out the green chilies. Use red Kashmiri chili powder, which adds great color with very little heat. You can also add a little coconut milk.

Can I make this dish with bone-in chicken?
Absolutely. Bone-in chicken is a great choice and adds more flavor. Just be sure to increase the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through to the bone.

Let’s Make and Share!

Now you have everything you need for this wonderful meal. Go ahead and try this simple Sri Lankan spicy chicken curry recipe today. It is a fantastic dish that will fill your home with amazing smells. Share it with your friends and family.

I would love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you