Name: Nepali Chicken Tarkari (Chicken Curry)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Nepalese
Ingredients: 1 tsp of ground turmeric; 2 chicken breasts; 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds; 1/2 tsp of fenugreek seeds; 1 medium onion (peeled and sliced); 2 garlic cloves (peeled and minced); 1 inch of fresh ginger (grated); 1 tsp of cumin powder; 2 red eyed chilies; 1 bay leave; 1 cup of vegetable stock; 1 tomato (chopped); Olive oil; Salt and ground black pepper to taste; Fresh cilantro

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Nepali chicken curry (Nepali chicken tarkari) is a traditional Nepalese chicken dish that is often served as part of a thali. Typically served with white rice and lentil dal, it is considered the national dish of Nepal. Nepal has long fascinated us and I can’t wait to travel there one day. In the meantime, we are loving making Nepalese cuisine at home. Sometimes a vegetarian tarkari is served with a selection of vegetables, but we love the chicken version. Nepali Chicken Curry is definitely one of the foods to try in Nepal.

Nepali Chicken Curry in a white and black bowl

Table of Contents

Nepali Chicken Curry Ingredients

Ground turmeric
Chicken breasts
Mustard seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Medium onion
Garlic cloves
Fresh ginger
Cumin powder
Red eyed chilies
Bay leaf
Vegetable stock
Fresh tomato
Olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro (to serve)
Ground turmeric
Chicken breasts
Mustard seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Medium onion
Garlic cloves
Fresh ginger
Cumin powder
Red eyed chilies
Bay leaf
Vegetable stock
Fresh tomato
Olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro (to serve)

Nepali Chicken Tarkari in a white and black bowl

How to make Nepali Chicken Curry

Step 1 – Mix turmeric with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Step 2 – Cut the chicken into chunks.
Step 3 – Rub the chicken with the turmeric mix and let marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1h.
Step 4 – Heat the mustard and fenugreek seeds, on low heat, in a small skillet until crackled. Be careful to not burn the spices. Grind the spices together.
Step 5 – Heat a large tablespoon of olive oil in a pan or a casserole over medium heat.
Step 6 – Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 7 – Add the mustard and fenugreek mix, garlic, ginger, cumin, chilies, bay leave and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 8 – Add the chicken and cook for 8 minutes.
Step 9 – Add the stock and tomato, a pinch of salt and cook for 30 minutes on low heat.
Step 10 – Top with cilantro and serve with rice.

Nepalese Chicken Curry in a white and black speckled bowl

Tips

Take the extra time to heat and grind your spices. You will be amazed by the beautiful fragrance and taste!

How to serve

Serve in a bowl on its own. This chicken curry is absolutely delicious all on its own.
Serve with rice. Alternatively, top with chopped cilantro and serve with white or brown rice.
Serve as part of a Nepalese thali (Nepali thali). Traditionally, this Nepalese dish would be served as part of a Dal bhat tarkari. In that case several small dishes would be served together.

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