Bengali Chicken Curry with Potatoes Recipe

Sizzling Bengali Chicken Curry with Potatoes Recipe

Crafting an authentic bengali chicken curry with potatoes connects me instantly to memories of my grandmother’s vibrant kitchen.

Warm spices dance through aromatic ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors that tell stories of kolkata’s culinary traditions.

My love for this dish stems from its rich, complex layers of taste and texture.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this recipe, blending tender chicken pieces with soft, buttery potatoes.

Fragrant mustard oil and carefully selected spices transform simple ingredients into a remarkable meal.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through bengal’s incredible gastronomic landscape.

Let you savor every morsel of this comforting, soul-warming curry that brings India’s regional cooking magic right to your plate.

Why Bengali Chicken Curry with Potatoes Is Packed with Warmth

  • Craft Authentic Flavors: Dive into a Bengali chicken curry that brings the rich, vibrant taste of traditional Indian cuisine straight to your kitchen with a perfect blend of aromatic spices.
  • Master Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Navigate this recipe with ease, even if you're new to cooking, as each step is straightforward and requires minimal culinary expertise.
  • Create Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or when you're craving a hearty, satisfying dish that pairs wonderfully with rice or flatbread.
  • Enjoy Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Pack your meal with protein-rich chicken and comforting potatoes, delivering a balanced and filling dinner that comes together in a single skillet.

The Flavorful Ingredients in This Hearty Curry

Proteins:
  • Chicken: Tender meat that forms the main protein base of the curry.
  • Ginger-Garlic Paste: Aromatic blend that provides deep flavor and warmth to the dish.
Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onions, Tomatoes: Foundational ingredients that create a rich, flavorful base for the curry.
  • Potatoes: Hearty vegetable that adds substance and absorbs the curry's delicious spices.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cayenne Pepper, Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Turmeric, Cumin: Spice blend that delivers complex, traditional Bengali curry flavors with warmth and depth.
  • Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds brightness and a clean, herbal finish to the dish.
Cooking Liquids and Fats:
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients and prevent sticking.

How to Simmer Bengali Curry to Perfection

Step 1: Prep the Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onions until they turn translucent and golden, releasing their sweet fragrance.

Step 2: Infuse with Zesty Flavors

Add ginger-garlic paste and let it sizzle, creating a rich, intense aroma that will form the foundation of your curry.

Step 3: Create a Luscious Tomato Foundation

Reduce heat to medium and introduce diced tomatoes.

Cook until they break down into a velvety, soft pulp that will coat the chicken and potatoes.

Step 4: Awaken the Spice Symphony

Sprinkle in a vibrant mix of spices:
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Curry powder
  • Garam masala
  • Turmeric
  • Cumin

Stir and toast the spices to unlock their deep, complex flavors.

Step 5: Introduce Protein and Starch

Gently add chicken pieces and potato chunks. Stir occasionally, allowing the meat to absorb the spicy sauce and potatoes to become tender.

Step 6: Simmer to Perfection

Let the curry bubble softly, melding flavors until the chicken is fully cooked and potatoes are creamy. The sauce should thicken and coat everything beautifully.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Scatter fresh cilantro over the top for a burst of bright, herbal freshness. Serve piping hot alongside fluffy rice or warm flatbread.

Pro Tips for Rich Gravy and Tender Potatoes

  • Choose fresh, high-quality chicken thighs or drumsticks for richer flavor and tender meat.
  • Toast whole spices before grinding to release deeper, more aromatic flavors in the curry.
  • Control spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper amount; start with less and add gradually for desired heat.
  • Cut potatoes into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Allow extra simmering time for more intense flavor development and tender chicken meat.

Indian-Inspired Takes on Classic Bengali Curry

  • Coconut Cream Fusion: Replace regular oil with coconut oil and add coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor profile that enhances the curry's richness.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, and chickpeas to create a hearty plant-based version.
  • Spicy Smoky Edition: Incorporate smoked paprika and increase cayenne pepper for a deeper, more intense heat that builds complex layers of flavor.
  • Green Herb Infusion: Blend fresh mint, basil, and additional cilantro into the sauce for a vibrant, herbaceous undertone that brightens the traditional curry.

What to Serve with This Spiced Chicken Dish

  • Pair with Fragrant Basmati Rice: Fluffy, long-grain basmati rice perfectly absorbs the rich, spicy curry sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
  • Create a Cooling Yogurt Raita: Whip up a refreshing cucumber-mint yogurt side dish that balances the curry's heat and provides a creamy, cooling contrast.
  • Complement with Naan Bread: Soft, warm naan is ideal for scooping up the sauce, soaking up every delicious bit of the Bengali chicken curry.
  • Select a Crisp Indian Lager: A chilled Kingfisher or similar light beer cuts through the curry's spiciness and cleanses the palate between bites.

How to Store and Reheat This Curry Like a Pro

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover curry in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains moist and flavorful.
  • Freeze: Transfer cooled curry to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2-3 months without losing taste or texture.
  • Microwave Reheating: Place curry in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.
  • Stovetop Reheating: Warm curry in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying.

Bengali Curry FAQs You’ll Be Glad You Read

  • Is Bengali Chicken Curry spicy?

This curry has a moderate heat level due to cayenne pepper and traditional spices. The spiciness can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper amount to suit your taste preference.

  • What makes this curry different from other Indian curries?

Bengali curry uniquely combines potatoes with chicken, creating a hearty one-pot meal. The blend of garam masala, turmeric, and cumin provides a distinct regional flavor profile specific to Bengali cuisine.

  • Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Both bone-in and boneless chicken work well. Boneless chicken chunks will cook faster and can be more convenient for everyday cooking. Just ensure the chicken is fully cooked through before serving.

  • Do I need special equipment to make this curry?

No special equipment is required.

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Bengali Chicken Curry with Potatoes Recipe

Bengali Chicken Curry with Potatoes Recipe


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4.5 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy Bengali chicken curry dances with tender potatoes, weaving classic Indian flavors into a soul-warming dish. Fragrant spices and rich gravy invite you to savor each delectable bite of culinary tradition.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 2 large onions, diced
  • 2 large tomatoes, diced
  • 2 large red-skinned potatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling base for the aromatic foundation of the curry.
  2. Introduce diced onions to the hot oil, allowing them to become translucent and release their sweet, underlying flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
  3. Incorporate the vibrant ginger-garlic paste, stirring continuously to prevent burning and develop a rich, fragrant essence.
  4. Gently fold in diced tomatoes, letting them break down and create a luscious, pulpy consistency that will form the curry’s sauce.
  5. Sprinkle in the spice blend – cayenne pepper, curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, and cumin – toasting them to intensify their complex flavor profile.
  6. Carefully add chicken pieces and potato chunks, ensuring each morsel is coated with the spice-infused sauce.
  7. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld together and cook thoroughly for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and potatoes become tender.
  8. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, adding a bright, herbaceous note to the rich curry.
  9. Let the curry rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to harmonize before serving alongside steamed rice or warm flatbread.

Notes

  • Swap olive oil for ghee to enhance traditional Bengali flavor and create a richer, more authentic taste profile.
  • Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
  • Lower the heat if spices start burning, as burnt spices can create a bitter undertone and compromise the curry’s delicate balance.
  • Opt for bone-in chicken thighs or legs for deeper flavor and more tender meat compared to boneless chicken breasts.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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