[Food] Easy Classic Chicken Curry (with Curry Powder)

This Easy Curry Recipe is made with curry powder for fast and delicious results! This is a classic curry chicken dish that will please all tastes, whether you prefer Indian or Southeast-Asian style curry. Add your own choice of additional vegetables (green beans, okra, or eggplant work well), and you can also choose your preferred cooking method - either stovetop or in the oven. Any way you cook it, this easy curry is bound to please even the toughest curry critic at your table. ENJOY!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: SERVES 3-4 (with rice)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, chopped into small chunks, OR whole chicken pieces

• 2-3 potatoes, chopped into chunks

• optional: 1-2 medium tomatoes, chopped into chunks

• 1/4 cup fresh coriander for garnish

• 2 Tbsp. homemade curry powder , OR 3 Tbsp. Madras curry powder or regular curry powder

• 2 bay leaves

• optional: 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 to 1 tsp. chili flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste

• 2 shallots OR 1/2 cup purple onion, diced

• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 thumb-size piece galangal OR ginger, grated

• 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth

• 1+1/2 Tbsp. ketchup OR sweet tomato puree

• 1 can thick coconut milk

• 2-3 Tbsp. fish sauce

• 1/2 tsp. sugar

• 2-3 Tbsp. vegetable oil for stir-frying

• Optional: 1-2 whole kaffir lime leaves (available at Asian food stores)

Preparation:

1. Place a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the curry powder, bay leaf, cinnamon stick (if using) and chili/cayenne. "Dry fry" these spices 1-2 minutes, until lightly toasted and fragrant.
2. Add 2 Tbsp. oil, plus the shallots, garlic, and galangal or ginger. Also add a few Tbsp. of the chicken stock - enough to keep ingredient frying nicely. Stir-fry 1 minute.
3. Add the chicken and potatoes, stir-frying 1 minute to coat with the spices.
4. Add remaining stock plus ketchup/tomato puree, stirring well to combine.
5. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, and lime leaf (if using).
6. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender. OR transfer curry to a large covered casserole dish and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Add tomatoes during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking (not before or they will prevent potates from cooking).
7. When chicken has achieved desired tenderness, taste-test the curry for saltiness and flavor, adding more fish sauce as needed until desired flavor/salt level is achieved. Also add more cayenne, chili sauce, or fresh-cut chilies if you prefer it spicier. If too spicy, add more coconut milk or a little plain yogurt. Add a little more sugar if it's too sour for your taste.
8. Sprinkle over the fresh coriander, serve with plenty of steamed rice, and ENJOY!