Chicken Jalfrezi: A Spicy and Flavorful South Asian Stir-Fry Delight

Chicken Jalfrezi: A Spicy and Flavorful South Asian Stir-Fry Delight

Chicken Jalfrezi is a popular South Asian dish known for its vibrant and spicy flavors. This stir-fry dish is a perfect combination of tender chicken pieces cooked with bell peppers, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices. It can be served with rice or flatbreads like naan or roti. The dish is characterized by its thick, tangy tomato-based sauce and its distinguishable spicy kick.

Ingredients:
– 500g boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
– 2 tomatoes, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1-inch piece ginger, grated
– 2-3 green chilies, sliced (optional, adjust to taste)
– 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
– 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
– 1 teaspoon ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon garam masala
– 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, adjust to taste)
– 200ml tomato passata (or tomato puree)
– Salt to taste
– Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
– Juice of half a lemon

Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
– In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with ground turmeric, ground coriander, and a pinch of salt. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

2. Cook the Chicken:
– Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

3. Prepare the Jalfrezi Base:
– In the same pan, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for a few seconds.
– Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent.
– Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced green chilies. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Add Vegetables and Spices:
– Add the sliced bell peppers and chopped tomatoes to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
– Stir in the ground cumin, garam masala, and chili powder (if using). Cook for another minute to let the spices release their aroma.

5. Combine and Simmer:
– Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the tomato passata and stir everything together.
– Season with salt to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, until the sauce thickens and all the flavors meld together.

6. Finish and Serve:
– Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the Chicken Jalfrezi and stir well.
– Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
– Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roti.

Enjoy your delicious and spicy Chicken Jalfrezi!