Vibrant, bold flavours and the perfect midweek meal
This rich tomato-based sauce with spicy tender chicken, is why Chicken Jalfrezi is such a spicy delight for your next midweek meal.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Serves: 4
- Difficulty: easy
- Ideal for: midweek meal, curry night, family, crowd-pleaser
Chicken Jalfrezi
If you love bold, vibrant flavours with a bit of a kick, then Chicken Jalfrezi is a dish that needs to be on your radar.
This popular curry, known for its rich tomato-based sauce and tender chicken, is a staple in Indian and British-Indian cuisine.
It’s a deliciously spicy, slightly tangy and incredibly easy to make at home.
A bit of food history
Jalfrezi (sometimes spelled Jhalfrezi) has its origins in colonial India, where it was created as a way to repurpose leftover meat by stir-frying it with onions, peppers, and plenty of spices.
Over time, it evolved into a beloved dish found in restaurants and home kitchens alike.
The name “Jalfrezi” is believed to come from the Bengali words “jal” (meaning spicy) and “frezi” (meaning fry).
What makes Chicken Jalfrezi special
Unlike slow-cooked curries, Chicken Jalfrezi is all about quick cooking and fresh ingredients.
The dish features marinated chicken stir-fried with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a fragrant blend of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
The result is a thick, spicy, and slightly tangy sauce that sits perfectly with the chicken and vegetables.
The addition of green or red chilies adds extra heat, but you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
How to serve it
Chicken Jalfrezi pairs perfectly with fluffy basmati rice or warm, buttery naan.
For a healthier twist, you can serve it with quinoa or whole wheat roti.
A dollop of yogurt on the side us handy to help with the heat, making it an ideal dish for both spice lovers and those who prefer milder flavours.
Why you’ll love it
– Quick & easy: Unlike many curries that require long simmering times, Jalfrezi comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Customizable: Adjust the heat level, swap chicken for paneer or tofu, or add extra veggies
- Packed full of flavour: The combination of spices, tomatoes, and the veggies, makes it a dish bursting with flavour
If you’re craving something flavourful, hearty, and satisfying, give Chicken Jalfrezi a try.
And if you want more curry recipes, visit here.
Chicken jalfrezi
Ingredients
- 2 skinless chicken breast (free range/organic)
For the onion sauce – to be mixed in wit the tomato sauce
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 green or red chilli, chopped
- 300 ml water
For the tomato
- 400 g chopped tinned tomatoes
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
Spice rub for the chicken
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- salt and pepper
Vegetables
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 – 2 red chillies (optional)
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp dried coriander or fresh coriander, chopped
Instructions
- Coat the diced chicken breasts in 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander and 1 tsp turmeric, then pop into the fridge marinate while you make the sauce.
Onion sauce
- Fry the chopped onion, chopped garlic and chopped red or green chilli in a large pan with a little oil, for around 5 mins, until soften.Add 300 ml water and simmer for approx. 15 mins, then whizz in a blender until smooth and set aside.
Tomato sauce
- In a large pan, gently fry the ground coriander cumin, turmeric and garam masala in a splash of oil for approx. 1 min, then add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 mins.Add the blended onion and chilli mix, taste and check for seasoning, and simmer for another 10 – 15 mins.
Chicken
- In another large pan, fry the chicken, then add the chopped onion, red peppers and chillies and cook until soften.Add the sauce you made (you may want to add a splash of water to loosen the sauce) and the coriander and garam masala, then simmer for 5 – 10 mins.Serve with basmati rice or naan bread.
