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Chicken Jalfrezi (Easy and Authentic) Recipe

4.7 from 119 reviews

Chicken Jalfrezi is a vibrant and flavorful Indian curry made with tender boneless chicken thighs cooked with bell peppers, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices in a tangy tomato-based sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of heat, tang, and savory spices, making it an easy and authentic choice for a satisfying meal. Served best with Indian breads like naan or rice, this Chicken Jalfrezi is a colorful, wholesome, and hearty dish that’s simple to prepare on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Scale

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder or paprika (for color)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/41/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 1/8 tsp sea salt

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 56 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
  • 1-inch ginger, crushed or finely chopped
  • 3 small tomatoes (Roma), pureed
  • 1 small green bell pepper, cubed into 1” squares
  • 1 small red bell pepper, cubed into 1” squares
  • 1/2 small red or yellow onion, cubed into ¾” squares (optional)
  • 12 small green chili peppers such as Serrano or Thai Chili, chopped or sliced

Proteins

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cubed into 3/4-1” pieces (or chicken breast as an option)

Liquids and Sauces

  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 2 tsp tomato paste (optional)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (or gluten-free soy sauce or tamari)
  • 1 tbsp ketchup (or South Asian-style chili garlic sauce or hot and sweet sauce)
  • 1 tsp white vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice (or lime juice)

Garnish

  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger: Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds. Add finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for about 7-8 minutes until golden brown. Then add the crushed garlic and ginger, sautéing for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Add chicken and cook: Add the cubed chicken thighs to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken changes color from pink to a pale hue, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add spices and cook: Sprinkle in the coriander powder, Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika), turmeric powder, garam masala, red chili powder, ground black pepper, and sea salt. Stir well and sauté the mixture for 1-2 minutes. You will notice the oil starting to separate and glisten, indicating the spices are cooked.
  4. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste: Add the pureed tomatoes and tomato paste (if using). Continue to cook and sauté the mixture for 5-6 minutes, until the tomatoes are cooked down and the oil starts to separate from the sauce.
  5. Add vegetables and sauces, then cook: Add the cubed green and red bell peppers, the optional cubed onion, chopped green chili peppers, soy sauce, ketchup, and vinegar. Sauté everything together for 4-5 minutes until the bell peppers soften but still retain some bite. If the curry thickens too much or starts to dry out, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water and stir to reach your desired consistency.
  6. Finish with lemon juice and garnish: Turn off the heat. Stir in the lemon juice for brightness and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve the Chicken Jalfrezi immediately with roti, paratha, naan, or steamed rice.

Notes

  • Marination option: You can marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness, but it is optional.
  • Bell peppers: Adjust the quantity of bell peppers according to preference. Using both red and green peppers provides a colorful contrast and slight variation in sweetness.
  • Spice levels: Adjust chili powders and fresh chilies according to your heat tolerance.
  • Tomato paste: Adding tomato paste enhances tomato depth but is optional if you prefer a lighter tomato flavor.
  • Water addition: Adding a splash of water helps adjust the curry consistency if it reduces too much during cooking.
  • Serving ideas: Best served hot with Indian breads like naan, roti, paratha, or alongside steamed basmati rice.

Keywords: Chicken Jalfrezi, Indian chicken curry, spicy chicken curry, boneless chicken recipe, quick Indian dinner, jalfrezi recipe, bell pepper chicken curry