Boost your mid-week meal plan with this wholesome, flavorful, and simple Gradual Cooker Hen Curry. Made with tender, juicy hen thighs, coconut milk, veggies, and a zippy mix of Indian spices, it’s assured to get you out of your dinnertime recipe rut.
Each time I’m hitting a wholesome dinner rut, Indian meals is the style that (fairly actually) spices my life up as soon as extra.
Recipes like this sluggish cooker hen curry make me really feel genuinely enthusiastic about what we’re consuming and happy with the flavors I can create.
Richly flavored, excessive in protein and fiber, lusciously creamy, and tremendous scrumptious, not solely is that this satisfying Indian hen recipe healthy, but it surely is simple too!
Made nearly completely in a sluggish cooker (like this Gradual Cooker Butter Hen), it’s a fuss-free, hands-off recipe excellent for the busy work week.
What’s Curry?
Although Individuals usually use the time period curry to check with a particular spice mix known as curry powder, “curry” is a basic time period for a variety of saucy dishes served over rice (strive Turmeric Rice). They’re particularly fashionable in India and Southeast Asia.
5 Star Assessment
“That is nice! Uncomplicated preparation, advanced and deep flavors. The hen thighs are scrumptious!”
— Eileen —
The way to Make the BEST Gradual Cooker Hen Curry
I gained’t faux that is an genuine Indian hen curry.
Whereas I really like and respect the big variety of spices and the extraordinary preparation that goes into creating genuine Indian dishes, I prefer to slim down the ingredient record at dwelling (as seen on this Prompt Pot Lentil Curry).
This straightforward sluggish cooker hen curry recipe takes the basic taste profile of Indian curry and streamlines it to be accessible to dwelling cooks with components you could find in most common U.S. grocery shops.
If you happen to’d prefer to be taught extra about Indian meals and discover nice recipes, take a look at my pal Richa’s weblog.
The Substances
- Coconut Milk. Making this Indian hen curry with coconut milk makes it wealthy and creamy and balances the spices (as on this Chickpea Curry). I exploit mild coconut milk to make the recipe wholesome, however for the complete impact, you should use complete (common) coconut milk.
- Hen. I choose to make this a sluggish cooker curry hen thighs recipe since thighs often carry out higher with crockpot cooking. (See this Gradual Cooker Honey Garlic Hen for an additional crockpot hen thigh recipe.)
- Crimson Bell Peppers + Candy Potatoes. Anytime I can “one pan” a meal, I’ll. Including contemporary veggies to the recipe makes it a well-rounded dish. No separate vegetable aspect required (however should you insist, Roasted Cauliflower can be a pleasant possibility).
- Lime Juice. For steadiness, brightness, and pop. Do your self a favor and use contemporary lime juice reasonably than the bottled stuff; it makes a HUGE distinction.
- Curry Powder. This mix of spices could be discovered within the spice aisle of about any normal grocery retailer. Each spoonful provides you mega bang to your buck (particularly in these Curried Deviled Eggs).
- Cumin and Chili Powder. The gentle warmth works effectively with the sweeter profile of curry powder. (If you happen to’re on the lookout for a curry recipe with extra warmth, take a look at my Jamaican Curry Hen.)
- Smoked Paprika. Admittedly, not tremendous conventional in Indian cooking, however SO GOOD and a game-changing shortcut. It provides you immediate, intense taste with out the dedication of toasting and grinding complete spices the best way many genuine Indian recipes do.
Is Curry Spicy?
New to the great world of Indian delicacies? Like my favourite Paneer Tikka Masala, this wholesome sluggish cooker hen curry is fragrant and deeply spiced, however within the heat, wealthy, flavorful method, not the hot-spicy method (though some curry recipes could be).
This curry tastes unique sufficient to really feel thrilling, however not so unique that it’ll scare away the much less adventurous eaters in your loved ones. Toddler (and choosy husband) approval has been extensively reported (ditto for this Hen Tikka Masala too).
- Rice or Quinoa. I prefer to serve this simple sluggish cooker hen curry over a mattress of fluffy brown or jasmine rice. For an additional increase of protein, quinoa can be a stunning alternative.
- Cilantro. An ideal end of coloration and freshness to this slow-cooked, soul-satisfying dish.
The Instructions
- Place the candy potatoes, bell peppers, water, and lime juice right into a sluggish cooker.
- Mix the spices and salt in a small bowl, then season the hen liberally with 2/3 of the spice combine. Reserve the remaining spice combination.
- Sear the hen in a skillet over medium-high on either side briefly till brown.
TIP!
When you can put uncooked hen in a sluggish cooker (you don’t want to brown the hen first), I discover that you just miss out on a serious taste alternative.
- Browning the hen on the range earlier than you set it into the sluggish cooker makes a big effect on the end result of your dish, particularly in case you are cooking complete hen thighs or hen breasts. You gained’t ever remorse taking the time to do it.
- Work shortly! You don’t have to cook dinner the hen all through; the hen will nonetheless be uncooked within the center while you place it within the crock pot and can end cooking with the recipe.
- Within the case of this sluggish cooker hen curry, I took the browning a step additional by coating the hen within the spices FIRST, then searing it on the range. It prompts the spices and provides the hen a little bit of a blackened impact that pops with each chunk.
- Switch the seared hen to the sluggish cooker and high with the remaining spices. Cowl and sluggish cook dinner the curry on low for 4 to five hours, till the hen is cooked by means of.
TIP!
An instant-read thermometer like this one is the easiest way to inform if the hen is finished. I take away the hen when it reaches 160 levels F; the carry-over cooking time takes it to the FDA’s advisable 165 levels F.
- Take away the hen and reduce into bite-sized items. In the meantime, add the coconut milk and cornstarch slurry to the sluggish cooker.
- Stir, then cowl and cook dinner on HIGH till the sauce thickens barely (about quarter-hour).
- Return the hen to the sluggish cooker and cook dinner till the greens and hen are scorching and tender. Serve over rice or quinoa or with naan, topped with contemporary cilantro. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Let cool fully and switch to an hermetic container. You possibly can retailer the rice both with the curry or individually. Refrigerate for as much as 5 days.
- To Reheat. Combine your required portion of rice and hen curry (if not already mixed). Heat gently within the microwave or stovetop.
- To Freeze. I don’t suggest freezing this recipe, because the coconut milk tends to separate and grow to be grainy.
What to Serve with Gradual Cooker Hen Curry
Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Programmable Gradual Cooker. I like this sort as a result of it may be mechanically set to modify to heat.
- Prompt-Learn Thermometer. The BEST and most correct approach to know in case your hen is finished.
- Reducing Board. An additional giant slicing board like this one is good for seasoning the big amount of hen for this recipe.
The Finest Programmable Gradual Cooker
This 7-quart crock pot is large enough even for a big household, and ideal for roasts and vacation gatherings too. Plus, its safe locking lid can journey with out spills to events and potlucks.
With a prep time of fewer than 10 minutes and components you could find in any grocery retailer, this crock pot meal is a quick, wholesome approach to fulfill my coconut hen curry craving, no airplane ticket or jet lag required!
Often Requested Questions
In fact! Gradual cookers are designed to cook dinner uncooked meats. The searing of the hen on this recipe does not likely cook dinner the hen. It merely provides it some added coloration and taste. The majority of the cooking occurs proper within the sluggish cooker, the place the direct warmth from the pot and steam absolutely cook dinner the hen to a protected temperature for consumption.
For the majority of this recipe, you’ll be able to cook dinner this sluggish cooker hen curry recipe on both LOW or HIGH. Since hen thighs are way more forgiving than hen breasts in a crockpot, you’ll be able to modify the temperature to fit your private timeline. Nevertheless, I like to recommend cooking on HIGH for the ultimate half-hour of cooking to attain the fitting sauce consistency.
In contrast to stovetop cooking which permits moisture to flee and evaporate throughout cooking, the moisture in a sluggish cooker doesn’t evaporate since a lid is saved on during the cooking course of. A cornstarch slurry is added to assist the curry thicken and provides the curry physique.
- 1 giant candy potato scrubbed and diced into 1/2-inch items
- 2 purple bell peppers cored and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon floor cumin
- 1 teaspoon floor chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 kilos boneless, skinless hen thighs (see observe under)
- 1 tablespoon further virgin olive oil
- 1 can mild coconut milk 14 ounces; (for a thicker, creamier sauce, use common coconut milk)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch blended with 3 tablespoons water to create a slurry
- For serving: ready brown rice or quinoa; chopped contemporary cilantro
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Place the candy potatoes and bell peppers within the backside of a 5-quart or bigger sluggish cooker. Pour the water and lime juice excessive.
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In a small bowl, mix the curry, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Place the hen thighs on a big plate or slicing board, and sprinkle either side with about 2/3 of the spice combine. Rub to coat, then set the remaining spices apart.
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Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high. As soon as the oil is scorching and glossy, add the hen thighs and briefly pan sear on both sides, simply till brown— about 2 minutes for the primary aspect and 1 minute for the second aspect.
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Place the seared hen within the sluggish cooker on high of the greens. Sprinkle with the remaining spice combination. Cowl and cook dinner on LOW for 4 to five hours or HIGH for two to three hours, till the hen is cooked by means of. It ought to register 165 levels F on an instant-read thermometer.
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Take away the hen thighs from the sluggish cooker and switch them to a slicing board. As soon as cool sufficient to deal with, reduce the hen into bite-size items or shred it with two forks. Put aside.
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Pour the coconut milk and cornstarch slurry into the sluggish cooker, and stir to mix with the greens and cooking liquid. Flip the sluggish cooker warmth to HIGH, cowl, and cook dinner for quarter-hour, till the sauce thickens barely.
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Return the hen to the sluggish cooker and stir to mix and coat the hen within the sauce. Get better and cook dinner for 15 further minutes on HIGH, till the greens and hen are scorching and tender. Serve heat over rice or quinoa or with naan, topped with contemporary cilantro.
- INGREDIENT NOTE: I don’t suggest hen breasts for this recipe, as they have a tendency to dry out within the sluggish cooker. If you happen to resolve to make use of hen breasts, watch the cooking time very rigorously, because the hen will cook dinner extra shortly and may simply grow to be too dry.
- TO STORE: Retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- TO REHEAT: Combine your required portion of rice and hen curry (if not already mixed). Heat gently within the microwave or stovetop till heated by means of.
- TO FREEZE: DO NOT FREEZE. Coconut milk will separate and grow to be “grainy” within the freezer.
Serving: 1(of 4) with out rice of quinoaEnergy: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 35gFats: 18gSaturated Fats: 9gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0.03gLdl cholesterol: 162mgPotassium: 906mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 12744IUVitamin C: 83mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 4mg
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