Air Fryer Chicken Curry: Quick & Flavorful Recipe
Speaking of tasty, fast, and healthier meals, a fryer chicken curry is the dish you need to try. Thanks to the air fryer, this dish retains all the flavors of a conventional curry but has fewer amounts of oil, fewer calories, and less cooking time. Indians love their rice, especially because it is one of the easiest ways to prepare a wholesome meal; this recipe fulfills that desire. In the following sections of this article, we’ll look at how to prepare air fryer chicken curry and the benefits in terms of health. We will also briefly discuss frequently asked questions to help you master your next meal.
Why is an Air Fryer Ideal for Chicken Curry?
Air fryers have become the new norm in kitchens across the globe and for a good reason. Instead of frying food, they fry it through hot air circulation and make the food crunchy. When making chicken curry in an air fryer, the appliance helps the chicken become tender and juicy inside with an outer layer that appears light crisp. The original curries are flavorful, but many contain a great deal of fats because of the usage of oils. As is obvious, by applying an air fryer, you can minimize the fat used yet retain the rich taste of a regular curry.
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Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Curry
So, now that we have read the ingredients, let’s take a closer look at what the recipe calls for. This recipe is easy and involves spices commonly found in most households. However, the ingredient ratios may be altered depending on personal preference.
500g chicken breast or thighs, chopped
Onion – one large onion, diced.
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
It also contains 1- a 1-inch piece of ginger, minced.
One can of diced tomatoes (or two fresh tomatoes, chopped)
Curry powder (alternatively, you can use a combination of ground cumin, coriander, and turmeric) 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon garam masala
Paprika for color and taste: 1 teaspoon
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
– ½ of the red chili powder (optional as per one’s tolerance for spices)
Consider – 200ml coconut milk (or Greek yogurt for the low-calorie choice).
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil or ghee to fry onions and spices
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh cilantro for gar
Air Fryer Chicken Curry Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and add one tablespoon of curry powder and garam masala. Then, rub the paprika, cumin, turmeric, and salt on the chicken pieces. Stir to combine so the spices can stick to the chicken to some extent. It’s recommended that the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes. This helps implant the flavors in the meat.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
First, set your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius or 350 Fahrenheit and preheat it. After marinating the chicken, transfer the hot chicken pieces to an air fryer basket in a single layer. Fry the chicken in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through without preheating it. The chicken has to be tender, succulent on the inside, and somewhat crispy on the outside.
Step 3: Prepare the Curry Base
When the chicken is being air-fried, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or ghee in a pan on medium flame. Then, add the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until the onions soften and turn partly golden brown, about half an hour.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes and Spices
Later, once the onions are tender and have a good, integrated aroma, the diced tomatoes are added. Mix the remaining curry powder, garam masala, cumin, and hot chili powder into the mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes to soften the tomatoes and thicken the sauce.
Step 5: Add the Chicken and the Curry Sauce
When the chicken is ready for air frying, add it to the skillet containing the curry sauce. Add coconut milk (or Greek yogurt) gradually and mix all the ingredients of the dish gently. Let the curry cook for 5-10 minutes so that the chicken can soak up the flavors of the sauce well.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
To serve your air fryer chicken curry garnish it with freshly chopped cilantro and best pair it with warm whole grain naan or freshly made basmati rice.
Air Fryer Chicken Curry Nutritional Value
A major plus of preparing your chicken curry using the air fryer is the possibility of reducing the amount of oil used by a great deal. Well, air frying the chicken keeps out the additional fat you would always have when deep frying or using a lot of oil as you make your curry. Additionally, this recipe can be customized to fit various dietary needs:
Low-fat option: To make the dessert healthier, replace the coconut milk in this recipe with Greek yogurt.
High-protein: The main ingredient in this dish is chicken, which is rich in lean proteins and makes it hearty and healthy.
Rich in spices Seasonings such as turmeric, cumin, and garlic have been scientifically proven to be anti-inflammatory nutrients for the body.
Frequently asked questions about air fryer chicken curry
Q: Is it possible to use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, in fact, you can marinate frozen chicken. However, it is advised that you defrost the chicken through proper tenderizing before marinating. This allows the marinade to penetrate the chicken further, giving it more flavor. Plus, the chicken cooks uniformly in an air fryer after being thrown in.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerated leftover chicken curry can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days if you prepare it using an air fryer. If you want to reheat it, you just put it back in the pan at low heat or air fry it for a few minutes.
Q Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
A: Absolutely! To make this dish non-dairy, skip the Greek yogurt and use coconut milk instead. In the same manner, almond or soy yogurt, which is a non-dairy product, can be used as a substitute if desired.
Q: Can I add vegetables to this one?
A: Indeed, you could add vegetables for an even more complete dish, such as bell peppers, green peas, or spinach. Just throw the vegetables directly in the air fryer with the chicken or stir the vegetables in the curry sauce if preferred.
Q: Is air fryer chicken curry gluten-free?
A: Indeed, this recipe does not contain wheat or any of its gluten-containing counterparts and, therefore, should not pose a problem to the gluten-intolerant public.
Q: Which air fryer should one use to make curry?
A: Any air fryer can be used for this recipe, but having a big air fryer with adequate capacity makes cooking much easier if you’re cooking for a large group or when you need leftovers.
Techniques on How to Prepare The Best Air Fryer Chicken Curry
- Use fresh spices First, to achieve a delicious curry, only fresh spices, which create a pleasant smell, must be used. If you think your spices have been there for a long time, it may be wise to replace them to enjoy the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: When air frying, always ensure that the pieces of chicken are not in a pile. Overfilling the basket is unadvisable since this will cause foods to cook unevenly.
- Customize the heat level: Increase the chili powder or use fresh green chilies in the recipe to make this curry hotter.
- Let the curry rest : After cooking, allow the curry to stand for some time, about 5 minutes. This ensures that good taste intermingling and comes out as good taste collision, making the food much more palatable.
Conclusion
The air fryer chicken curry can be prepared quickly and without harm to the figure while maintaining a traditional recipe’s taste and useful qualities. An air fryer will let you get a meal that is crispy from the outside, soft from the inside, and full of flavor in record time compared to traditional methods. Additionally, this recipe is very flexible and can easily be adapted to meet the needs of specific diet restrictions. Add it to your meal planner.
Whether you want to make a fast weeknight dinner or impress guests with a delicious dish, this air fryer chicken curry will surely be a hit. Enjoy cooking, and remember to experiment with different spices and ingredients to make it uniquely yours!