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Chinese-chicken-curry

Chinese Chicken Curry Recipe

Chinese style chicken with ginger, chilli and pak choi with crunchy toasted cashews.

  • 31 - 60 Minutes
  • Medium
  • Serves 2

Recipe for Chinese Curry Chicken

Method

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 120g Tilda Pure Basmati
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 5cm piece ginger root peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 small red chilli finely chopped
  • 2 tsp cornflour
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin seed
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 500ml chicken stock
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 100g pak choi, shredded
  • 50g toasted cashew nuts

How to make Chinese Chicken Curry Recipe

  1. Gently heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan. Add the onion, ginger, garlic and chilli

  2. Season and cook over a low heat for 4-5 minutes to soften. Add the flour and spices and stir well

  3. Remove from the heat and blitz to a paste in a blender or food processor. Return to the heat and add the stock, stirring continuously. Set to one side

  4. Add the remaining oil to a new pan and cook the chicken on a high heat, turning to seal the edges. Pour over the sauce, bring to the boil, cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Add more water if needed during cooking

  5. Cook the rice according to pack instruction

  6. Add the pak choi to the chicken 5 minutes before the end

  7. Serve with the rice and sprinkled with the cashew nuts

What is Chinese chicken curry?

Chinese chicken curry is all about that silky, savoury, and mildly spiced sauce. It’s actually a wonderful example of fusion cooking, combining traditional Chinese stir-fry techniques with a mild, aromatic curry powder (often featuring star anise and turmeric). It’s typically loaded with tender chicken breast, chunky onions, and sweet garden peas, all brought together in a thick, glossy gravy that was made for drizzling over a bed of fluffy Tilda Basmati rice.

Is Chinese curry chicken spicy?

Not usually! One of the reasons it’s such a family favourite is its mild, approachable heat. While it’s packed with aromatic spices, it lacks the fiery chilli punch found in many other curries. Of course, the beauty of cooking at home is that you’re the head chef; if you fancy a bit more kick, you can easily stir in some dried chilli flakes or a spoonful of chilli oil to suit your taste.

What does Chinese curry chicken taste like?

It has a unique “umami” depth thanks to the soy sauce and chicken stock, with a warm, earthy undertone from Chinese five-spice. The texture is key here, too; it’s famously smooth and “gloopy” (in the best way possible!), making it incredibly comforting.

How many calories are in a Chinese chicken curry?

When you make it at home, a standard serving of Chinese chicken curry typically contains around 300–400 calories (before adding rice). By using lean chicken breast and controlling the amount of oil, it’s significantly lighter than the deep-fried versions you might find at a restaurant. Pair it with a portion of Tilda Steamed Basmati rice (about 180 calories per half-pack) for a satisfying, well-balanced meal that doesn’t feel heavy.

Is Chinese chicken curry gluten-free?

Traditionally, no, as the sauce is often made using a roux of flour and oil, and standard soy sauce contains wheat. However, it is incredibly easy to make a gluten-free version! Simply swap the plain flour for cornflour and use a gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Always be sure to check your curry powder label, too, just to be safe!

Is Chinese chicken curry healthy?

It can be. By making your own sauce from scratch, you avoid the hidden sugars and high salt levels often found in store-bought jars or takeaway tubs. It’s a fantastic source of lean protein from the chicken, and you can boost the nutritional value even further by loading up on veggies like peppers, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.