Traditional Chicken Jalfrezi

Introducing the vibrant and colourful chicken jalfrezi recipe – a popular dish that fuses Indian and Pakistani culinary influences. Bursting with an array of bell peppers, onions, and juicy chunks of chicken, this flavourful and aromatic curry is a celebration of spices and textures. Perfect for those who crave a satisfying meal that effortlessly marries bold flavours with a touch of heat, chicken jhalfrezi is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Serves 4

Preparation time 10 minutes cooking time around 40 minutes

Recipe Difficulty level - Beginner-Friendly

Special equipment - Chinese wok

Heat level - Hot Hot

Nutrition values for chicken Jalfrezi

Expand for nutrition values

Chicken Jalfrezi is a wonderful Indian dish typically made with chicken, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and spices. Nutritional values can vary based on ingredients and portion size, but on average, a 1-cup (about 200 grams) serving of Chicken Jalfrezi provides approximately 250-300 calories, 20-25 grams of protein, 10-15 grams of fat, and around 15-20 grams of carbohydrates. It also offers essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron from the vegetables.

Traditional Chicken Jalfrezi

Chicken Jalfrezi is a relatively easy curry to make, the hot curry sauce is similar to making a basic 'madras base curry gravy'. We will be using this curry base in a lot of curries on this site so its worth mastering that method, it's even worth making a large batch and keeping it in the freezer. If you are going to do this then it would be worth keeping the heat levels lower so that they can be adjusted up for the hotter curries like phall and vindaloo.

The best method for cooking this is to build the texture, by thoroughly cooking the tomatoes with the garlic and fresh chillies at the beginning and then incorporating the spices. I am fortunate enough to own a 'Stir-fry burner' which really does help get some heat into this first stage process, so naturally I use a Chinese wok for this purpose. The majority of Indian restaurants use this method in one form or another.

I can remember sitting in a restaurant with some work guys and one of them was eating this with tears running down his face I asked him if it was hot, and he replied "Yeah,bloody lovely!" - Steve

But of course you don't have to make it that hot unless you want to. The spice 'heat' level can be adjusted with the amount and type of chillies and chilli powder, so judge for yourself what you want.

Madras base gravy

traditional Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast per person

For the hot curry sauce

• 4 tablespoons of ghee or oil

• 3 cloves of crushed garlic

• 1 tin 400g of tomatoes

• 6 hot chillies roughly chopped

• 2 teaspoons of ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons of ground coriander

• 3 teaspoons of chilli powder

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1 teaspoon of Celtic or Himalayan salt

• Plus 1 teaspoon extra of turmeric for stir-fry

For the Stir-fry:

• 2 large coloured bell peppers, chunky chopped

• 1 large onion, chunky chopped

• 1 clove of garlic thinly sliced

• A small piece of ginger thinly sliced

• 6 - 8 whole chillies depending on how hot you like it (optional)

• Small cherry tomatoes (optional)

• Coriander leaves

• Lemon juice

Whole spices for the stir- fry

• 1 cinnamon stick broken

• 4 Cardamon pods

• 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds

How to make Chicken Jalfrezi

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Prep all your ingredients, cut the chicken breast into large pieces and keep aside, measure out spices, peel garlic and so on...

For the hot curry sauce

1. Heat the oil or ghee in a large pan, then add the garlic and chopped chilies. Fry until the garlic turns golden brown.

   
   

2. Now add the tinned tomatoes and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the oil starts to separate from the tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes as you go, creating a smooth sauce.

   
   

3. Add the ground spices and stir them in well, adding a splash of water if the spices start to stick. Cover the pan and lower the heat, then simmer for 10 minutes, making sure it does not dry out or burn. Once done, set aside.
   

Stir-fry

1. In a wok, add 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee (coconut oil is best due to the high temperatures required for a stir-fry) and heat until it just starts to lightly smoke. Add the ginger and garlic, then add the chicken pieces and fry until the chicken is sealed. Remember, this is a stir-fry, so keep the ingredients moving to prevent them from burning.

   
   

2. Lower the heat to medium and add the whole spices and turmeric. Add the hot curry sauce to the stir-fry along with the salt. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through (i.e., white inside); the chicken should appear yellow from the turmeric powder. Note: you may need to add a little water if the mixture starts to dry out.

   
   

3. Finally, add the peppers, onions, chilies, and cherry tomatoes. Let this simmer for a few minutes, then finish off with garam masala, coriander leaves, and a squirt of lemon juice. Remember, you’re looking for that signature jalfrezi crunch from the vegetables.  

Goes well with:

Chapatti

Tarka Dhall

Cardamon rice

 Frequently asked questions for Chicken Jalfrezi

What is Chicken Jalfrezi?

Chicken Jalfrezi is a spicy Indian stir-fry dish made with marinated chicken, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and spices, often served with rice or naan.

Is Chicken Jalfrezi healthy?

It can be a healthy option if prepared with lean chicken and plenty of vegetables, but the nutritional content varies based on ingredients and cooking methods.

Can I make Chicken Jalfrezi vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with vegetables like paneer, tofu, or mixed vegetables for a vegetarian version.

How spicy is Chicken Jalfrezi?

The spiciness can be adjusted by controlling the amount of chili or hot spices used in the recipe.

How long does it take to cook Chicken Jalfrezi?

 Typically, it takes about 30-40 minutes from preparation to serving, including marination and cooking time.

Conclusion

Thank you for exploring the flavourful world of Chicken Jalfrezi with Stevie's Curry Magic! Whether you're craving a spicy, hearty meal or looking to impress your guests with an authentic Indian dish, this recipe offers a perfect balance of bold spices and tender chicken. Don't forget to experiment with the ingredients to suit your taste, and enjoy the delightful journey of cooking and savouring this classic curry. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes and culinary tips on Stevie's Curry Magic—happy cooking!

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Cheers Steve.