Bangladeshi Spicy Chicken Curry: The Ultimate Guide to a Flavorful Feast
Have you ever wanted a warm and flavorful chicken meal?
A special Bangladeshi Spicy Chicken Curry is perfect. It uses simple spices like turmeric and cumin. The chicken cooks in a thick, tasty sauce. It takes about an hour to make this wonderful dish.
Key Takeaways
- Fry powdered spices in oil first.
- Use chicken with bones for more flavor.
- Cook onions slowly until they are golden.
This guide will show you every single step. Get ready to cook something amazing for your family.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
Here is a quick look at the recipe details. This will help you plan your cooking time and see how easy it is to make this dish at home.
Preparation Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Yield | Skill Level | Spice Level |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 60 Minutes | 4 Servings | Beginner | Medium |
Why This Curry is a Must-Try for Dinner

This chicken curry is a popular choice for a family dinner. It brings everyone together. Its wonderful taste and smell make any evening meal feel special and complete.
A Beautiful Mix of Smells
This curry has many wonderful smelling spices. You will smell turmeric, cumin, and coriander. These spices cook together in the pot. They make a smell that fills your whole house. The smell makes you feel hungry and happy.
A Rich and Tasty Sauce
The sauce is the best part of this curry. It is made from onions, ginger, and garlic. These are cooked until they are soft and sweet. This makes the sauce thick, dark, and full of flavor. The sauce is perfect with warm rice.
A True Comfort Food
This dish is a favorite food for many families. People in Bangladesh eat it for special meals. It is also for regular family dinners. Eating this curry makes people feel happy and comfortable. It is a taste of home.
How to Prepare Bangladeshi Spicy Chicken Curry
Making this curry is simple when you follow the steps. This recipe will guide you through the entire process, from getting the ingredients ready to the final dish.
Ingredient | Amount | Alternative |
---|---|---|
Bone-in Chicken | 2 lbs (about 1 kg) | Boneless chicken thighs |
Yogurt | 1/2 cup | Coconut milk |
Ginger Paste | 1 tablespoon | Freshly grated ginger |
Garlic Paste | 1 tablespoon | Freshly grated garlic |
Turmeric Powder | 1 teaspoon | – |
Red Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon | Paprika (for color) |
Onion, sliced | 2 large | Shallots |
Vegetable Oil | 1/4 cup | Ghee or Mustard oil |
Cinnamon Stick | 1-inch piece | – |
Cardamom Pods | 3 pods | – |
Salt | To taste | – |
Water | 1 cup | Chicken broth |
Green Chilies | 2-3 | Jalapeño |
Step 01: Get the Chicken Ready
First, put the chicken pieces into a big bowl. Add the yogurt, ginger paste, and garlic paste. Then, add the turmeric powder and red chili powder. Mix everything very well. Let the chicken sit for about 20 minutes.
Step 02: Cook the Onions
Put a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the oil to the pot. When the oil is warm, add the cinnamon stick. Add the cardamom pods too. Next, add the sliced onions. Cook the onions until they are soft and golden.
Step 03: Cook the Chicken
Now, add the chicken to the pot with the onions. Stir everything together gently. Cook the chicken for about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep stirring it. You want the chicken to get some color on all sides. This step adds a lot of flavor.
Step 04: Let the Curry Simmer
Add one cup of warm water to the pot. Add salt to your taste. Bring the water to a soft boil. Then, lower the heat. Cover the pot with a lid. Let the curry cook slowly for about 20 minutes. The chicken will become very soft.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Result
These simple tips will help make your chicken curry taste even better. Small tricks can make a big difference and give you a perfect dish every single time.
Cook the Spices Well
Always cook your powdered spices in the oil. Do this for about one minute. This step is very important. It makes the spices taste much better. It removes the raw taste. Your curry will have a deeper, richer flavor.
Use Chicken with Bones
You should use chicken with bones for this recipe. The bones have a lot of flavor. They make the sauce taste much richer. The meat will also be very juicy and soft. Boneless chicken works, but chicken with bones is better.
Fry Onions Until Golden
Take your time when you cook the onions. You want them to be a nice golden-brown color. Do not rush this part. Soft, golden onions make the sauce sweet. They also give the curry its beautiful dark color.
How to Store and Serve Your Curry
Knowing how to keep and serve the curry helps you enjoy it fully. Proper storage keeps it fresh, and the right serving ideas make the meal more enjoyable for everyone.
Storing the Curry
- Let the curry cool down completely after cooking. Put the leftover curry into a clean, airtight box. You can keep this box in the refrigerator. The curry will stay fresh for up to three days. The taste often gets even better the next day.
- You can also freeze the chicken curry. Put it in a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for about one month. To eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before heating it up.
Serving the Curry
- This curry is best served hot. A classic way to serve it is with plain white rice. The rice soaks up all the delicious sauce. This makes every single bite very tasty. It is a simple and perfect combination.
- You can also serve this dish with flatbreads. Roti or paratha are great choices. Use the bread to scoop up the chicken and sauce. You can add a simple salad or some yogurt on the side. This makes the meal feel complete.
Variations to Try
Once you know the basic recipe, you can try some fun changes. These small additions create new flavors and make the dish exciting to try again and again.
Chicken Curry with Potatoes
Add some potatoes to make the meal bigger. Cut two medium potatoes into large cubes. Add them to the pot with the chicken. The potatoes will soak up the sauce. This makes the curry very hearty and filling for everyone.
Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry
For a creamier taste, add coconut milk. Use about half a cup of coconut milk. Pour it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking. This makes the sauce thicker and richer. It also makes the curry a little less spicy.
Common Mistakes, Solution and Prevention
Even simple recipes can have problems. Here are some common issues. You can learn how to fix them. You can also learn how to stop them from happening next time.
Mistake #01: The Curry Tastes of Raw Spices
- Solution: If it tastes raw, cook it longer. Let the curry simmer for another 10 minutes with the lid off.
- Prevention: Fry the powdered spices in oil for 60 seconds. Do this before you add any liquids to the pot.
Mistake #02: The Chicken is Dry and Hard
- Solution: It is hard to fix this. You can shred the chicken and mix it well with the sauce.
- Prevention: Use chicken thighs, not breast. Do not cook the curry on very high heat for a long time.
Mistake #03: The Sauce is Too Watery
- Solution: Remove the lid from the pot. Turn the heat up a little bit. Let the extra water cook away.
- Prevention: Add hot water slowly. Use only enough to get the sauce thickness you like. You can always add more later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Bangladeshi curry different from Indian curry?
Bangladeshi curry often uses certain spices like panch phoron. The cooking method also focuses on slowly frying the meat and spices together to build deep flavor.
How do I make the curry less spicy?
Use less red chili powder to make it milder. You can also leave out the green chilies. Adding a little sugar or more yogurt helps balance the heat.
Can I use a pressure cooker for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a pressure cooker. First, sauté the onions and chicken with the lid open. Then, close the lid and cook for about 2 whistles.
Bangladeshi Spicy Chicken Curry

A traditional, aromatic chicken curry with a rich and flavorful gravy.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Bone-in Chicken
- 1/2 cup Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ginger Paste
- 1 tbsp Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 2 large Onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1-inch Cinnamon Stick
- 3 Cardamom Pods
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup Water
- 2-3 Green Chilies
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with yogurt, pastes, and spices.
- Fry whole spices and onions until golden brown.
- Add chicken to pot and cook for 12 minutes.
- Add water and salt; simmer covered for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Fry powdered spices in oil first.
- Use chicken with bones for more flavor.
- Cook onions slowly until they are golden.
You now have everything you need to cook. Go to your kitchen and try this recipe. It is simple, fun, and very rewarding. The final dish is full of amazing flavors. Make this Bangladeshi Spicy Chicken Curry for your loved ones.
Please share your experience in the comments. We would love to hear how it turned out for you. Enjoy your meal.