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Dhal Chicken Curry with Red Lentils and Warming Spices
This Dhal Chicken Curry combines tender chicken, red lentils, warming spices, garlic, and ginger in one comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or family meals.
Why You Will Love and Enjoy This Dhal Chicken Curry
- The lentils cook down into a thick, rich curry sauce without extra effort.
- It’s a hearty one-pot meal that tastes even better the next day.
- You can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
Thick lentils and tender chicken make this curry hard to resist.
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Dhal Chicken Curry with Red Lentils
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner Recipes
- Method: Easy Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Description
This Dhal Chicken Curry is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with the best smell while it bubbles away on the stove. The lentils break down into a thick, hearty curry sauce, and the chicken turns beautifully tender with all those warming spices.
Ingredients
- 1 tray chicken thighs and legs, skin removed if preferred
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed well until water runs clear
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 piece of ginger, grated, about half a forefinger size
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 red chilies, chopped
- 2 tsp dhania powder
- 2 tsp jeero powder
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 tbsp leaf masala
- 2 tsp salt
- 5 cups water
- Fresh coriander for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot, add the 1 cup rinsed red lentils, 1 chopped onion, 3 chopped garlic cloves, grated ginger, 2 chopped red chilies, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 5 cups water.
- Bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Partially cover with the lid slightly ajar and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring now and then so the lentils don’t catch at the bottom. The lentils should soften and start breaking down into the broth.
- Add the chicken thighs and legs to the pot along with 2 tsp dhania powder, 2 tsp jeero powder, 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder, 1 tbsp leaf masala, and 2 tsp salt.
- Stir well so the chicken gets coated in all the spices.
- Bring the curry back to a gentle boil, then lower the heat.
- Cover and simmer for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- If the curry thickens too much, add a splash of hot water.
- Taste and adjust the salt if needed.
- If you couldn’t find fresh coriander, don’t stress, the curry still tastes fantastic without it. A little chopped parsley or even sliced green onion works surprisingly well, too.
- Serve hot with basmati rice, roti, or fresh bread to soak up the dhal gravy.
Notes
Prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie
Additional Information
- Can I use boneless chicken? Yes, boneless thighs work very well and cook a little faster.
- Is this very spicy? It has a medium heat level. Reduce the red chilies or Kashmiri chili powder for a milder curry.
- Can I make this ahead? Absolutely. The flavour actually deepens after a few hours or overnight.
- Can this be frozen? Yes. Let the curry cool fully, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- How long can this be stored and how? Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water if needed.
Substitute Suggestions
- Use green lentils if needed, but increase cooking time.
- Boneless chicken thighs can replace mixed chicken pieces.
- Parsley or sliced green onion can replace coriander.
- Fresh green chilies can replace red chilies.
- Mild curry powder can stand in for leaf masala if necessary.
This one-pot comforting chicken curry dish keeps dinner simple and satisfying.
Dhal Chicken Curry delivers rich flavour, tender chicken, and thick lentil gravy in every spoonful. The warming spices, garlic, ginger, and soft red lentils come together in one hearty meal that feels comforting without requiring complicated steps. It’s the kind of dinner that fills the kitchen with incredible aromas and keeps everyone coming back for another bowl.
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