Healthy Chicken Curry Recipe

Lyn has many passions and interests and one is cooking and finding the healthiest possible options for home cooked meals.

Quick, Easy, Healthy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
• 1 large onion
• 1-2 garlic cloves (optional)
• 2 chicken breasts
• 300g or 10oz tomato passata (half to three quarters of a 500g packet).
• A small amount chicken stock or water
• 2 generous tablespoons low-fat natural yogurt
• rice to serve and salad or parsley garnish

Equipment

You will need:

• A good, heavy sauté pan
• Measuring spoons
• Knife for cutting the onions and one for cutting the chicken. I use culinary scissors.
• Chopping board
• Preferred equipment for cooking rice if using

Cook Time

Easy Ingredients

Preparing the Curry

1. Add the oil to the pan. Stir in the curry powder and chili if using until well mixed. Gently warm the spices. Whilst this is warming, chop the onions into ½” or 1cm pieces Add to the pan and stir in well. If using garlic, crush by hand and finely chop or crush with a device. Add to the pan and stir in. Sweat out over a low heat for a few minutes, usually about 6-8.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into chunks and add to the pan. Mix well to coat with the onion/curry mixture. Sweat out to colour the chicken, so that it turns almost white all over 10-12 minutes.
3. Take a look at the pan, the chicken should be fat-free. If there is more liquid in the pan now then there was water added to the chicken. Don’t worry, just add less (on no) stock. for a stronger flavor curry, drain off the liquid at this stage. Add the passata and stir well, turn up the heat a little, bring to bubbling point and add the stock or water if needed. Stir in well. Turn the heat right down and simmer gently with the lid on for around 5 minutes.
4. If using rice, cook by your usual method, I use a supermarket brand of basmati with wild rice and cook for about the same time as I cook the chicken.
5. Remove the curry from the heat and remove the lid. Allow to cool for a few moments. Gently and carefully, add the yogurt once the curry has cooled. Add it too soon and it will curdle. It will still be edible, but will not look so good. Stir the yogurt in well and leave in the pan whilst dishing up the rice and/or salad. Spoon out onto individual plates, garnish with salad or parsley. As you can see from the photo, I added some chopped green pepper to garnish and add texture.
6. Enjoy.....

Curry Powder

Onion and Garlic

Chicken

Mix in

Passata

Stir in the Yogurt

Healthy Choices

Curry is served

On a Diet?

NB: to be healthy, do not now add popadoms and chutney if you usually do, wean yourself off, if you want something more you could use some yogurt to mix with some mint to make a dip and serve with carrot and celery sticks.

The ingredients in this curry, have been chosen for optimum health benefits.

Healthy Choices

Rapeseed Oil contains less saturated fat than all other commonly used cooking oils and fats, indeed Rapeseed has 50% less saturated fat than olive oil.

Rapeseed Oil is a rich source of vitamin E and is a natural antioxidant. It also contains plant sterols, which according to WebMD have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties.

Chilli is often used in weight loss and is good for circulation.

Onions are more than just a tasty vegetable, according to bbcgoodfood.com the humble onion that we take for granted contains vitamins A, B6, C and E and natural sugar, onions are also a good source of folic acid contain minerals such as sodium, potassium and iron as well as dietary fiber.

bbcgoodfood.com also confirm that garlic is very good source of manganese, selenium and vitamin C, is an excellent source of vitamin B6. As well as a good source of other minerals, including phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron and copper.

Chicken breasts are the leanest part of the chicken, which is already a lean meat, by not using the skin, we are ensuring a low fat, good source of protein which is essential for healthy muscles. Chicken also contains plenty of vitamins and minerals.

Why Chicken Breast

Chicken breast is a great source of nutrition. A 4-ounce chicken breast is high in protein, low in fat and packed with nutrients such as B vitamins, amino acids, potassium, selenium, niacin, etc. that are critical for building and maintaining a healthy body.

— md-health.com/Chicken-Breast-Nutrition.html

Passata is uncooked, strained tomatoes, pure and simple, make sure you choose one with nothing added. Tomatoes are a superfood that contains Lycopene, which is the pigment that gives the tomato its distinctive color. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant which, is known to help guard against a variety of cancers. Lycopene is also a healthy energy booster and has anti-aging properties. Tomato s are also a good source of Vitamin A, potassium and iron.

We all know that low fat yogurt is good for us right? However, according to fitness magazine, natural low fat yogurt has at least 10 great benefits. It is used here because it adds the creaminess without the calories and cholesterol of cream and it has many healthy attributes including that yogurt helps with weight loss.

Bibliography

Sources of health information:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-onions

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-garlic

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/animal-product/health-benefits-of-chicken.html

http://www.md-health.com/Chicken-Breast-Nutrition.html

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/health-benefits-of-yogurt/

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2017 Lyn

Comments

The Write Life from The United States on March 15, 2017:

I must say this does look delectable. I will try this someday. Thank you for sharing.

Lyn (author) from England on March 10, 2017:

Chitrangada, thank you so much for your kind comment, it means a lot, especially as you are from India, the home of curry.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on March 10, 2017:

Nice chicken recipe and the combination of ingredients is unique and interesting, a little different from what I usually combine.

I would love to follow your instructions and prepare as you have suggested.

Thanks for sharing this!