Country Captain ( East India Chicken Curry)

Submitted by Galley Wench

"The original recipes comes from an old edition of Joy of Cooking. Over the years I've modified the recipe using only white meat and updating the cooking method. Serve over steamed white or brown rice. This is a recipe that can easily be adjusted to serve two! UPDATE 8/30/07: I've made some further adjustments to this recipe to give it more depth and 'kick it up a notch'. If using the Hot Madras Curry Powder suggest that you taste test after addition of the first teaspoon."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 piece peeled fresh ginger (2-inch chunk)
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour or 1/2 cup finely sifted dry breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
• 2 -3 teaspoons curry powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, diced (optional, to taste)
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1⁄4 cup currants
• 1⁄4 cup toasted slivered almonds

directions

1. In a small food processor (mini-chopper), combine the garlic and ginger and puree to a paste.
2. Salt & pepper the chicken breast coat them in the flour or bread crumbs.
3. Heat oil in frying pan or dutch oven and saute chicken to a golden brown.
4. Remove, drain and place in a casserole.
5. Saute the onions and green peppers in the pan with the drippings, adding more oil if necessary, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
6. Add the garlic-ginger paste, bay leaf, curry powder,Garma Masalas, smoked paprika and jalapeno;cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, about 1 minute.
7. Add tomatoes and simmer until the pan is deglazed.
8. Pour sauce over the chicken and bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes or until chicken breast are tender. (I usually cover for the first 15 minutes and then uncover.).
9. During the last 5 minutes of cooking add the currants.
10. Serve over steamed rice garnished with toasted slivered almonds.

Reviews

[Robert M.]

I have to review this, as I have been making it for about 20 years now. I had made very similar changes to the recipe from my father's 1975 copy of Joy of Cooking. I will have to try the Garma Masalas you mention, I have not tried any Indian spice blends or recipes. I made a large batch yesterday, and with the family having it for dinner today. I am using equal amounts of canned diced tomatoes and the version with the zesty green chilies. I look forward to your new spice idea for the next batch. I appreciate you posting your recipe.

 

[Kathy228]

I liked this. It was very easy to make. The chicken was tender and moist. I coated it in flour and baked it at 350 for 40 mins. I made no ingredient changes, but used fresh tomatoes instead of canned. I used 2 tsp Madras curry powder and 1/4 tsp hot curry powder. This is a fast and pretty meal for company too. Thanks for posting this nice recipe.