Easy Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe, Restaurant Style
Chicken Jalfrezi is an extremely appealing dish featuring pieces of chicken simmered with an array of spices and vegetables in a hearty tomato-based sauce. The dish began as a way to use up leftover chicken during the British colonial era in India, but it has now become loved all over the world. The word ‘Jalfrezi’ derives from the Bengali words jhal (fiery spicy) and frezi (stir-fried). The British usually had leftover roasted meat, which was then stir-fried with spices and leftover vegetables by their Indian cooks into a new meal.
The ingredients that must be present to recreate the magic of Chicken Jalfrezi.
Basic Ingredients of Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe
- Chicken: 700g of boneless, cut into cubes
- Vegetables: 2 bell peppers (of any color), 3 medium onions, 4 green chilies
- Tomatoes: 400g, canned or fresh tomatoes, blended.
- Garlic and Ginger: 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, with 20g fresh ginger sliced thinly.
Spices
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1.5 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt according to taste
Other Ingredients
- 30ml rapeseed oil or ghee
- Water 250ml
- Optional-Fresh chopped coriander for garnishing
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Best Chicken jalfrezi
Preparations
Marinate chicken with:
- Combine turmeric, red chili powder, and salt with the chicken pieces to make best chicken jalfrezi.
- Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes during the preparation of other ingredients.
Prepare vegetables:
- Dice onions and bell peppers into medium-sized pieces.
- Blend or finely chop the tomatoes.
Cooking
- Heat oil in a non-stick pan, high flame. Add chicken pieces; stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn white. Remove and keep aside.
- Sauteing onions: Now it is time to add the onions. Fry for 7 minutes on moderate heat until light brown.
- Add Aromatics: Ginger and garlic bell peppers are to be added to the dish. For 2 minutes, stir-fry until fragrant.
- Put the Spices on top: Cumin seed, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and stir well to release aroma.
- Add Tomato: Add the blended tomatoes to the above gravy and cook for 5 minutes
- Now put the chicken back in and seal it in with the sauce. Add green chilies for some hot shine.
Simmer:
- Add in some water until you get your desired consistency.
- To Cook: Cover and simmer on low flame for 10-15 minutes until chicken is tender and the gravy thickens.
Garnish and serve:
- Switch off the gas and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with rice or chapatis.
Our Some more recipes in restaurant style:
1. Chicken Karahi
2. Chicken Nuggets
Perfect Chicken Jalfrezi Tips:
Adjust Spice LevelsÂ
- To prepare a milder version, use fewer green chilies or omit the red chili powder.
- To add heat, increase the number of chilies or use a generous amount of chili flakes.
Making It Saucy
Add more water or shorten the time of cooking the tomatoes if you want gravy for your food.
Adding a Flavor Enhancer
- Pouring a little dose of soya sauce or vinegar can add to the depth of this dish.
- Ketchup is a slight inclusion in a few recipes to make the dish sweet.
Nutritional Information Per serving
- Calories: 334 kcal
- Protein: 41g
- Carbohydrates: 7.7g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 6g
Suggestions to Serve
Chicken jalfrezi would go best served with:
Steamed basmati rice or pilaf, Sole Indian breads like naan or roti, A simple accompaniment of yogurt or raita mellows the spice factor. Serve with lemon wedges for an authentic experience and just that little extra zing of tanginess.
Culture Significance:
Chicken Jalfrezi is a dish of cultures. The Anglo-Indian origins of Jalfrezi represent an ever-fusion of British practicality with Indian flavors. It soared in British Indian restaurants post-independence but remains somewhat less popular in South Asia, unlike other curries such as Karahi.
Vegetarian Jalfrezi Variations
- Paneer Jalfrezi: Instead of chicken, paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is used as the major ingredient.
- Mixed Vegetable Jalfrezi: It has zucchini, mushrooms, or cauliflower along with the traditional spices.
Conclusion
Chicken Jalfrezi is more than a dish– it is a testimony of a culinary dish born out of necessity during colonial times. Rich flavors, quick preparation time, and flexibility make it a favorite recipe in every country in the world. Be it for comforting weekday meals or to impress guests, there will be Jalfrezi made with chicken.
