West Indian Chicken Curry
There’s an Ethiopian restaurant in my town that’s been here for a pretty long time but I still have yet to try it out. I’ve heard wonderful things about the food there, but the truth is that despite my love for cooking when it comes to my habits of eating out, I usually tend to stay within a specific ‘comfort zone’ of restaurants and joints that I already know of and like. I’m not entirely sure why this is.
Maybe it’s just because I take my food SO seriously and there are few things I can think of that can get under my skin than an unsatisfactory meal. It’s seriously enough to put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day/night. I don’t play about my food.
What’s strange is, although I’m wary of trying out new food that I pay other people to cook for me, I’m the complete opposite when it comes to food that I make myself. Unless it just ‘sounds’ nasty or has an ingredient that I don’t care for, I’m almost always willing to try out a ‘different’ or ‘new’ recipe. If I think it sounds challenging or will teach me a new technique, I’m going to want to at least give it a shot. I realize that may sound like a huge contradiction. I think maybe it has something to do with my knowing that even if there’s something about the dish that I don’t care for initially, I will probably be able to salvage it so that it’s at least edible.
Sometimes I’m not only willing to try out a new recipe/dish, I’m also willing to go the extra mile for it. That’s pretty much what happened with today’s post. I’d had it on my radar for a while, but had put it off because the ‘extra mile’ in this case was two things that I didn’t already have in the house: a curry powder made almost completely from scratch containing fresh whole spices, and a coffee grinder and/or spice mill to grind said spices up after they were toasted.
One day I was feeling particularly restless with our dinner rotation and decided to just go out on a limb. In short, I bought a coffee grinder then made the trek out the new Whole Foods that FINALLY came and opened in my town, where I was able to get my hands on all the spices that I needed. I rationalized it with the logic that there ARE other recipes I want to try that require me to grind up spices, and that since I am a fan of this type of cuisine, I can always find another use for the leftover ones I had over from this recipe.
Then, I actually made the dish and came to the very hasty conclusion that I really didn’t need to find any other justification for my going the extra mile and buying a whole appliance just to cook one meal.
Why? Because that one meal was absolutely delicious.
Holy moly, guys.
Even if I never use this coffee grinder for any other purpose BUT to make this curry, I will still not regret having bought it one bit. It was just SO worth it, from start to finish. The smell of the spices toasting in the skillet after I ground them up gave me the feeling almost from the start that the flavors of this dish were going to be phenomenal. It made me kinda not even care that turmeric has the ability to stain your counter top/dishes/hands for a LOOOONG time unless you scrub really super duper hard at them.
I know that typical curries are made with whole, bone-in chicken pieces cut up. However, my go-to preferred way of preparing just about ANY chicken dish is using the good ‘ol boneless/skinless breast. It’s just what I like. However, this recipe is versatile enough to where if you wanted to go darker and use bone-in thighs or drum-sticks and remove the meat at the end, it should be perfectly fine.
Another important note: my older sister can’t do very many spicy foods, so I was forced to leave out some of the chili flakes and leave the Scotch bonnet peppers out entirely. Be warned: Scotch bonnets can pack a SERIOUS punch of heat and are therefore, not to be trifled with all willy-nilly. There’s already ground up chili flakes in the curry powder itself, so I recommend that you taste and adjust according to your ability to take the heat. Also, because chickpeas and corn were all that I had in the house at the time, that is what I used to here. Fortunately, I can easily see you subbing in any other vegetable of your preference and it still turning out fine.
This is one of those dishes that taste even better as leftovers because the flavors have time to meld and permeate the meat the longer that they sit. The sauce is just DIVINE y’all. Have plenty of naan/flat bread on hand for dipping.
I’m linking this post to Fiesta Friday #117, co-hosted this week by Mollie @ The Frugal Hausfrau and Scarlett @ Unwed Housewife.
West Indian Chicken Curry
Recipe Adapted from Emeril Lagasse
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
- 1/2 tablespoon crushed dried chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
- 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- About 5 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into large chunks
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 hot pepper, such as Scotch bonnet or serrano, seeded and finely chopped, or to taste (optional according to preference)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 (15 oz) can of whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas, drained
Directions
In a medium skillet or saute pan combine the turmeric, chili flakes, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, ginger, garlic powder, mustard seeds, pepper, allspice, and cinnamon and cook, shaking the pan frequently, until spices are fragrant and just beginning to smoke. Remove from the heat, transfer to a shallow plate and allow to cool completely.
Transfer to a coffee grinder or spice mill and process until very finely ground. Reserve 6 tablespoons of the spice mixture separately and transfer the remainder to an airtight container and save for another purpose.
In a mixing bowl combine the chicken, 2 tablespoons of the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil and set aside, covered, for 20 minutes.
In a large Dutch oven, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and, when hot, add the chicken pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
Add the onion, garlic, ginger, thyme, hot pepper if using, and remaining 4 tablespoons curry powder and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, and brown sugar and bring to a simmer. Add the remaining teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally about 1 hour. After about 1 hour, add the corn and chickpeas and allow to cook until chicken is very tender and falling from the bone and the sauce has reduced enough to coat the back of a spoon, about an additional 30-40 minutes.
Serve chicken curry with naan flat bread and/or rice.
I am a massive curry fan. Absolutely massive! So I will definitely give this recipe a try. Thank you!
No, thank YOU Laura! I think you’ll really like this dish, I know me and my family did 😉
Hey Jess,…looking good,. now ya gonna have me changing up my style to try yours 🙂
I hear you on trying new places. I don’t like to do that often because I too HATE an unsatisfying meal. I think you’re right it’s definitely because we take our food so seriously 😉 YAY WHOLE FOODS! This recipe looks amazing!
Thank you Sarah, it took FOREVER for Whole Foods to finally reach us, but now that it has it’s ALWAYS crowded. I totally understand why, it’s such an addicting store from the products, to the deli lol 🙂
Beautiful looking curry Jess! I could have written this post – I rarely eat out and I get so annoyed if a meal isn’t perfect 🙂 I also bought a coffee grinder for making my curries, it makes such a difference.
I’m glad that I went ahead and bought one, it’s making me actually search for more curry recipes to try out lol Thank you!
That is making me really hungry. I love West Indian curries, spicy and so flavorful. Looks fantastic Jess.
Thanks Suzanne, this was my first time making and eating one and I know for sure that it won’t be my last 😉
This dish looks delicious 👍🏻
Thank you ma’am, I have to say it tastes VERY delicious as well 😉
Delicious looking chicken curry 🙂
Thanks Freda!
This looks wonderful, and I can only imagine how flavorful it must be! And I’m similar to you in that I’m not the most adventurous when it comes to going out to restaurants. I *hate* paying money for food that is in some way disappointing…it bums me out for the rest of the day, too!
The flavors are just outstanding. I’d PAY for this dish in a restaurant. Thank you 🙂
What a lovely blend of spices.
Thank you Nadia, the spice blend SO makes this dish! 🙂
With all the beautiful spices in this recipe, I just know it’s a winner plus I’m a fan of Emeril. This is comfort food to me. Thanks for sharing:)
This is DEFINITELY comfort food Lily. After you eat, you just feel good. And I’ve never tried an Emeril recipe that steered me wrong yet 😉 Thank you!
Love West Indian curries, it certainly has a long list of ingredients that I love. You should definitely try the Ethiopian Restaurant, I’ve tried their cuisine a couple of times and have been pretty pleased with the results.
Thanks Loretta, I think I will go ahead and try out the good there now that I know I’m a fan of the flavors 🙂
Oh my gosh Jess this dish looks and sounds amazing! I have a feeling you are really going to be using that spice grinder!
Oh trust me, I’ve been looking for recipes on purpose that require it already. I’m getting my money’s worth outta this thing lol Thank you Julie 🙂
Jess, this is just gorgeous and what a beautiful array of spices! Thanks for bringing this by Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Thank YOU Mollie, I was really excited to share this one 😉
I am salivating looking at this! This is my kind of meal: chicken and bold flavors. Thanks for sharing this at Fiesta Friday #117!
I’m so glad I made you salivate; that’s like the goal of every picture I take for this blog lol Thank you!
Lots of ingredients but looks like a low maintenance prep. Lovely, Jess.
Hi Mary, there are quite a few spices, but I promise, they’re SO worth it. And that’s coming from someone who typically likes to try and take the shortcuts with ingredients. Thank you!
🙂
This looks so mouth-watering! Oh gosh! So delicious!! 😀
Thank you Jhuls, I have to say I’m SO happy and pleased with how this turned out. After that first bite, I literally said ‘Wow’ out loud. 😉
Love love love curry! This looks delicious! 🙂
Hi Amber! I LOVE curry too, but this was my very first time attempting to make it for myself. I gotta say, I was very impressed with my first try. This is one to keep in your back pocket for sure: thank you!
This looks fabulous!!!
Thank you, it’s VERY tasty I have to say 🙂
Hey Jess,…looking good,. now ya gonna have me changing up my style to try yours 🙂