Absolutely! While this recipe truly shines in the slow cooker for its convenience and hands-off nature, you can certainly adapt it for stovetop preparation if you’re short on time or prefer a more active cooking method. To do so, begin by sautéing the diced onion and carrots in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil until they are softened and slightly translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Next, add the cubed chicken and cook it until it’s lightly browned on all sides. This initial browning helps to seal in flavor and creates a more robust taste. Once the chicken is seared, incorporate all the dry spices (curry powder, salt, and red pepper flakes) and stir them for about a minute until they become fragrant. Finally, pour in the salsa, creamy coconut milk, and concentrated tomato paste. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover the pot, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened to your desired consistency. This method still results in a wonderfully flavorful curry, just with a bit more active cooking time.

Chicken curry is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. The most classic and highly recommended pairing is fluffy white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, which perfectly absorbs the rich, aromatic sauce, ensuring every spoonful is packed with flavor. Another essential accompaniment for an authentic Indian dinner experience is a soft, warm flatbread like naan. Its chewy texture and slightly charred flavor make it ideal for scooping up every last drop of the delicious curry sauce. If you’re looking to make your curry a heartier, one-pot meal, consider adding cubed potatoes directly into the crockpot along with the other ingredients. In this case, you might choose to omit the rice to avoid an overly starchy dish, allowing the tender potatoes to act as your primary carbohydrate. Other great options include a simple refreshing cucumber salad, steamed green beans, or a dollop of cooling plain yogurt or raita to balance the spices.

This recipe is thoughtfully designed to be family-friendly and approachable for various palates, so it features a very subtle and mild level of heat. It calls for 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which contributes just a slight warmth that enhances the overall flavor profile without being overwhelming. It’s more about a pleasant tingle on the tongue than a fiery kick, making it suitable for those who prefer milder dishes. If you or your family are particularly sensitive to spice, you can easily adjust this. Feel free to completely omit the red pepper flakes for a completely mild version, or reduce the amount to 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon to just hint at warmth. Conversely, if you enjoy a bolder level of heat and prefer a spicier curry, you can confidently increase the pepper flakes to your preference. Rest assured, even with these adjustments, the rich blend of curry powder and other ingredients ensures the curry remains incredibly delicious and aromatic.

Chicken curry, when prepared correctly, is a truly delightful and complex dish known for its rich aroma and savory depth. It’s characterized by a unique and harmonious blend of commonly used Indian spices, which are combined to create that distinct, authentic “curry” flavor. You can expect a warm, earthy taste with prominent notes of turmeric, cumin, and coriander, often complemented by a subtle hint of ginger and garlic. In this specific recipe, the addition of full-fat coconut milk contributes a lovely, velvety creaminess and a delicate sweetness that perfectly balances the savory spices. The clever inclusion of salsa adds a fresh, slightly tangy, and zesty undertone, which brightens the overall profile. The result is a savory, incredibly aromatic, and deeply comforting dish that awakens the senses and leaves a lasting, pleasant impression. It’s a flavor experience that is both exotic and wonderfully familiar.

The true beauty and ease of this chicken curry lie in its minimal yet impactful ingredient list, proving that you don’t need dozens of obscure items to create a delicious and authentic-tasting meal. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components you’ll need:

• Chicken: We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and tender results. Chicken thighs can also be used for an even richer, more succulent curry.
• Carrots: Diced, these add a touch of natural sweetness, vibrant color, and pleasant texture, softening beautifully during the slow cooking process.
• Onion: Diced, providing a crucial foundational aromatic base that deepens the overall flavor of the curry.
• Spice blend: A simple yet incredibly effective mix of high-quality curry powder (which serves as your primary flavor driver), salt for essential seasoning, and red pepper flakes for a controllable touch of warmth.
• Salsa: This is our brilliant secret shortcut! It’s a convenient ingredient that provides a ready-made blend of diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, and often bell peppers, instantly saving you significant prep time and adding a robust, zesty flavor dimension.
• Coconut Milk: Full-fat coconut milk is absolutely essential for creating the creamy, luscious texture and imparts that subtle tropical sweetness that characterizes many truly delicious curries.
• Tomato Paste: This concentrated ingredient adds a deep, rich tomato flavor and helps to naturally thicken the sauce, contributing to its perfectly appealing consistency.

These carefully chosen ingredients come together effortlessly to create a flavorful and satisfying dish that proves simplicity can still deliver incredible taste and an authentic curry experience.

When it comes to selecting rice to accompany your delicious curry, the options can sometimes seem overwhelming, but typically, grocery stores feature a few main types that are perfectly suited for the task. The three most common and widely popular kinds of rice you’ll find readily available are:

• Long-grain rice: This category prominently includes varieties like Jasmine rice and Basmati rice. These grains are known for remaining separate and wonderfully fluffy when cooked, making them absolutely ideal for soaking up flavorful curry sauces. Jasmine rice is celebrated for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky, tender texture, while Basmati rice offers a distinct, nutty aroma and exceptionally distinct, elongated grains.
• Short-grain rice: Often specifically referred to as sushi rice, this type becomes stickier and tends to clump together when cooked. While delicious in its own culinary applications, it’s generally less preferred for curries where you typically want the individual grains to be more distinct and absorbent.
• Brown rice: Varieties such as Uncle Ben’s brown rice represent a whole-grain option. They offer a chewier texture and a distinct nutty flavor. Brown rice usually takes longer to cook than white rice but provides added fiber and a higher nutritional content. It can be a healthier and more robust alternative for your curry if you appreciate its texture and earthy flavor profile.

While many other selections are available in specialty stores or international markets, long-grain varieties like Jasmine or Basmati are almost always the top choices for pairing with Indian cuisine due to their ideal texture and aromatic qualities. For a more comprehensive look and visual guide to different types of rice, you can explore dedicated culinary resources and guides.

Ingredients for Chicken Curry:

How to make Easy Chicken Curry:

• 

  Place the cubed chicken, diced onion, and carrots into a lightly greased crockpot. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients: salsa, coconut milk, tomato paste, curry powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pour this fragrant sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot.
• 

  Stir all the ingredients gently to ensure everything is well coated with the rich curry sauce. Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on the HIGH setting for 4 hours, or alternatively, on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is wonderfully fork-tender and the vegetables are soft and fully cooked. Serve this delicious curry immediately over fluffy white rice and with a side of warm Naan bread for a truly satisfying and flavorful meal!

Adjusting Spice Level: This recipe provides a mild and pleasant warmth from 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. If you’re not in favor of any heat or prefer a very mild curry, feel free to completely omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount to 1/4 tsp. The curry will still be incredibly flavorful and aromatic without the added spice. For those who love a kick, feel free to increase the amount to suit your preference.

Natural Thickening: This chicken curry recipe is thoughtfully designed to thicken naturally during the slow cooking process without the need for additional liquid or a cornstarch slurry. The tomato paste and reduction achieved through simmering in the crockpot contribute to a perfectly rich and desirable consistency.

• Our tried-and-true recipe for Stovetop rice is the perfect fluffy complement to this savory curry, providing just enough for the recommended servings.
• To truly complete your authentic Indian dinner experience, we highly recommend making our homemade Stonefire Copycat Naan Bread. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and enhances the entire meal.
• Vegetarian Option: This recipe can easily be adapted for vegetarians by substituting the chicken with hearty chickpeas, cubed paneer (Indian cheese), or a vibrant medley of your favorite vegetables like cauliflower florets, bell peppers, and extra potatoes. Adjust cooking time as needed to ensure vegetables are tender.
• Storage and Reheating: Leftover chicken curry stores wonderfully, with flavors often deepening overnight! Transfer any remaining curry to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until thoroughly warmed through.

Nutrition per serving