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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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