Spicy Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe for Remakes

Jamie Oliver’s leftover chicken curry bursts with unexpected flavor, transforming yesterday’s bland poultry into a culinary symphony.

Humble ingredients metamorphose under a cascade of aromatic spices, weaving magic in your kitchen.

Bold, warm seasonings embrace tender meat, creating a dish that whispers global adventure.

Weeknight dinners rarely offer such delectable reinvention of simple leftovers.

Each fragrant spoonful promises comfort and excitement, blending familiar textures with exotic notes.

The recipe demands minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Check out this extraordinary meal and let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry Ingredients

• Onion: Choose a firm, glossy bulb without soft spots for maximum flavor punch.
• Garlic: Look for tight, unbruised cloves with papery white skin for robust taste.
• Ginger: Select a smooth, plump root with minimal wrinkles and no mold for zesty warmth.

• Curry Powder, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Turmeric: Seek fresh, fragrant spices from specialty stores for vibrant, complex layers of taste.
• Cayenne Pepper: Add carefully for a fiery kick that wakes up your taste buds.

• Chopped Tomatoes: Pick ripe, deep red tomatoes for rich, sweet undertones.
• Coconut Milk: Select full-fat versions for luxurious, creamy texture.
• Cooked Chicken: Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for quick, convenient protein boost.
• Cilantro: Grab bright green, crisp leaves for a fresh, herbal finale.

• Rice: Choose long-grain varieties for perfect curry companion.
• Naan Bread: Select soft, pillowy flatbread for ideal sauce-soaking experience.

Equipment to Make Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry

• Large Skillet: Wide, deep pan perfect for sautéing and simmering ingredients evenly.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise dicing of onions and mincing garlic.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately portion out spices like cumin and curry powder.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Grater: Small tool for grating fresh ginger with ease.
• Can Opener: Useful if using canned chopped tomatoes.
• Measuring Cup: Helps measure coconut milk precisely.

Instructions for Jamie Oliver’s Chicken Curry Recipe

• Awaken Aromatic Foundations

Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet, bringing heat to a gentle medium. Toss in diced onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Let these flavor champions sizzle and meld, softening into a fragrant base that whispers delicious promises.

• Spice Symphony

Unleash a cascade of warming spices across your simmering aromatics. Dance curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and optional cayenne pepper into the skillet. Allow these spices to toast and release their vibrant essences, transforming your kitchen into a sensory paradise.

• Create Luscious Curry Embrace

Stream chopped tomatoes and creamy coconut milk into the spice-laden mixture. Let everything simmer and intertwine, creating a rich sauce that tells a story of comfort and global flavors. Watch as the liquid transforms into a velvety canvas.

• Chicken's Grand Entrance

Gently fold leftover chicken into the bubbling curry sauce. Ensure each morsel gets coated in the luxurious blend, warming through and absorbing the complex flavor profile. Let the chicken become one with the sauce, promising a harmonious bite.

• Final Flourish

Season with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting. Shower fresh cilantro across the top, adding a bright, herbal crescendo. Serve alongside fluffy rice or warm naan, ready to transport taste buds on a culinary adventure.

Adjusting Flavors in Leftover Chicken Curry

Make this recipe your own culinary masterpiece with these delightful twists and expert tips.

Swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or chickpeas for a completely different meal experience. Each alternative brings unique textures and flavors to the curry.

Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your heat tolerance. Start with a tiny pinch and gradually increase for those who love a fiery kick.

Add vibrant vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or cauliflower during the final cooking stage. These ingredients will enhance nutritional value and provide exciting color and crunch.

This curry tastes even better the next day as spices continue to meld. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

How to Serve Jamie Oliver’s Chicken Curry Again

• Pair with Fluffy Rice: Nestle this aromatic curry over steaming basmati or jasmine rice to soak up every delicious drop of the creamy sauce.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top to add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, warm curry flavors.
• Serve with Warm Bread: Accompany the dish with soft, warm naan or crusty bread to scoop up the luxurious sauce and clean your plate perfectly.
• Cool Down with Yogurt: Add a dollop of cool, tangy plain yogurt on the side to balance the curry's warmth and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

How to Store Jamie Oliver’s Leftover Chicken Curry

• Preserve Perfectly: Refrigerate leftover curry in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Freeze with Finesse: Pack cooled curry into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze for 2-3 months, maintaining delicious taste and texture.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Gently warm curry in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and preserve moisture. Add small splash of coconut milk if sauce seems dry.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare curry base ahead of time and store separately from chicken. Combine just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and prevent soggy textures. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick lunch solutions.

Spicy Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty jamie oliver leftover chicken curry reinvents kitchen leftovers with bold Indian spices and comforting flavors. Resourceful cooks can quickly create this satisfying meal using simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked leftover chicken, shredded
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch (2.5 cm) ginger, grated
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 ml) coconut milk
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) curry powder
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
• 1 tsp (5 ml) turmeric
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then gently sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until softened and translucent, releasing their fragrant essences.
2. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper into the vegetable base, toasting the spices to unlock their deep, complex flavors and create an aromatic foundation.
3. Create Sauce Base: Introduce diced tomatoes and coconut milk, stirring thoroughly to form a rich, harmonious sauce that will envelop the leftover chicken with layers of intense flavor.
4. Simmer and Develop: Allow the curry mixture to gently simmer for 10-12 minutes, letting the spices and liquids meld together and develop a robust, deeply nuanced taste profile.
5. Incorporate Chicken: Fold pre-cooked chicken pieces into the simmering sauce, ensuring each morsel is generously coated and heated through, absorbing the vibrant curry flavors.
6. Final Seasoning and Garnish: Adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper to taste, then garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves to add a bright, herbal finish and visual appeal.

Notes

• Spice Toasting Technique: Lightly toast spices in hot oil for 1-2 minutes to unlock deeper, more complex flavor profiles and eliminate raw spice bitterness.
• Coconut Milk Selection: Choose full-fat coconut milk for richer, creamier curry sauce that provides better texture and deeper taste complexity.
• Chicken Reheating Strategy: Fold leftover chicken gently into sauce near end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, moist meat texture.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Sprinkle chopped cilantro just before serving to introduce fresh, bright flavor notes and elevate the overall dish presentation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg