When I was growing up, my family would drive through Manhattan’s Chinatown at least once a month, whether it was for weekend dim sum, visiting family, or just heading into the city. We’d drive in via the Holland Tunnel, and in minutes, we’d be surrounded by familiar Chinese restaurants and seemingly endless fruit and vegetable vendors.
On the way out of the city at the end of the day, we had a pretty reliable tradition of stopping off at one of Chinatown’s mainstay takeout restaurants (like NY Noodletown) to order dinner to take home. My sister would go for the Cantonese roast meats––Char Siu Pork, Soy Sauce Chicken, and Roast Pork Belly. My mom would get braised beef with tofu, and my dad would order a special seafood congee with lots of scallions and ginger.
As you can probably tell from all the links above, we’ve covered several of these favorite dishes on our blog. But we haven’t yet covered one of my favorites––a really quick takeout-style Chicken Curry, served over lots of steamed rice.
Chicken curry was one of the dishes that I always looked forward to on any trip to Chinatown, and it’s actually incredibly easy to make. You only need a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry or refrigerator, and it takes 15 minutes flat to prepare.
Just make sure to wear an apron or a black t-shirt, and use metal (as opposed to wood or bamboo) utensils to stir-fry this chicken curry dish––the turmeric and curry powder can leave stains. But of course, the risk is totally worth it.
You’ll need:
- 12 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced into small wedges
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 4 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- salt
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch.
Heat your wok over high heat until smoking. Add a couple tablespoons of oil, and then add the chicken to the pan in one layer. Stir-fry the chicken just until it turns opaque, and remove from the wok. Set aside.
Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok, and add the onions. Stir-fry for one minute, then stir in the chicken stock, curry powder, turmeric, sugar, and salt to taste.
Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and mix until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir it into the curry and stock mixture, and simmer for 1 minute, until thickened. If the sauce isn’t thick enough, add more cornstarch slurry. If it’s too thick, add more chicken stock.
For more detailed information on the many ways to use cornstarch to get authentic results at home with our recipes, see our post on How to Use Cornstarch in Chinese Cooking.
Add the cooked chicken back to the wok, and stir for another 30 seconds.
Serve your homemade take-out style chicken curry with steamed rice and a big spoon!
15-Minute Chicken Curry, Takeout-Style
Ingredients
- 12 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast (340g, thinly sliced)
- Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (divided)
- 1 medium onion (halved and sliced into small wedges)
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock (355 ml)
- 4 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch.
- Heat your wok over high heat until smoking. Add a couple tablespoons of oil, and then add the chicken to the pan in one layer. Stir-fry the chicken just until it turns opaque, and remove from the wok. Set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok, and add the onions. Stir-fry for one minute, then stir in the chicken stock, curry powder, turmeric, sugar, and salt to taste.
- Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and mix until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir it into the curry and stock mixture, and simmer for 1 minute, until thickened. If the sauce isn’t thick enough, add more cornstarch slurry. If it’s too thick, add more chicken stock.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the wok, and stir for another 30 seconds. Serve with steamed rice and a big spoon.
Nutrition
Pamela C says
Hi! If I were to switch out the chicken for firm tofu, would the prep instructions for this alternative protein be different?
Thanks!
Sarah says
Hi Pamela, you wouldn’t have to marinate the tofu. instead, just slice it, pat it dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel, and then sear it in oil until it’s lightly browned on both sides. This will make the tofu a bit more firm and better able to stand up to stir-frying. We do something similar in our recipe for tofu in black bean sauce: https://thewoksoflife.com/tofu-black-bean-sauce/
Lisa C says
This looks and sounds amazing!! I’m cooking this tonight – will let you know how it turns out xx
Sarah says
Thanks Lisa! Excited to hear how you liked it!
Ian` says
Great recipe! Made it in a cast-iron braiser instead of wok (can’t get wok cooking right), used more cornstarch than recipe. But it’s really easy and fantastic-tasting. Thanks!
Sarah says
You’re welcome, Ian!
Ann Ward says
I have just made this chicken curry for my husband and myself and I just have to say it was. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I am now under orders to make this dish every week! Thank you so much for sharing. – I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes now!! Keep up the excellent work!!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Ann! So happy you and your husband enjoyed it. This reminds me I’ll have to make this soon for dinner as well. :)
steve says
Hi guys I cooked your chicken curry which was lovely I wondered if you had a receipe for satay chicken not the type on skewers but stir fried similar to your chicken curry
Sarah says
Hi steve, no recipe like that at the moment, but we’ll have to add it to our list! Thanks for trying out our recipes and for reading!
Helen says
Hi Sarah,
I’ve become a big fan of the ‘Woks Of Life’. I’ve been cooking a lot of recipes from the blog.
I cooked this tonight, it is delicious and everything I hoped for.
My dad passed away last year and back whenever we would get take away Chinese, he would always get this chicken curry with vegetables or prawns( shrimp).
Thankyou for this winner
Helen
Sarah says
You’re so welcome, Helen! Thanks for sharing a little bit about your dad with us. So glad you enjoyed this recipe. :)
Carolyn says
My son loves chicken curry. This is the 2nd recipe I have tried. He thought it was fantastic! Just like the Chinese takeout place we get it from. Will be making it many more times…..but without onion. He doesn’t like any veggies in it. I did add some onion powder for some flavor.
Sarah says
That’s awesome, Carolyn––so glad your son enjoyed it!
Mary Lee says
What is the best curry powder do I buy?
Sarah says
Hey Mary Lee, buy any good quality madras curry powder from the grocery store! Any brand that’s organic is a good bet.
Bill says
We use D&D Gold Madras Curry Powder quite often – you can see it on our Chinese dry spices page here.
Raj says
Recipe is yummy. Can you please name the curry powder brand that has been used. if its home made can u share the recipe
Sarah says
Hi Raj, I used a madras curry powder. I believe it was this brand: https://amzn.to/2Lsbtcx. But any good madras curry powder will work!