Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe: Easy Indian Curry Classic 2026

Chicken jalfrezi is one of the most popular Indian dishes in the world, and it is easy to see why. Tender pieces of chicken simmer in a fragrant tomato sauce built on ginger, garlic and warm spices, while sauteed peppers and onions bring sweetness and crunch to every bite.

This is a home-style version that comes together in about 40 minutes with pantry-friendly ingredients. The heat comes from a single green chile, and it plays beautifully against the natural sweetness of the onions and peppers.

Serve it with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread for a complete meal that tastes like your favorite Indian restaurant, made right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients for Chicken Jalfrezi

This recipe makes 4 servings.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions
• Salt
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 green chile
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cilantro
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 400 g canned tomatoes (whole or crushed)
• 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Ground black pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves

How to Make Chicken Jalfrezi Step by Step

1. Saute the Aromatics

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a wide pan and saute 1 chopped onion with a little salt for 5 minutes. Add 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger and 1 chopped green chile, then cook for 5 more minutes, stirring from time to time.

2. Add the Spices and Tomatoes

Add 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground cilantro, 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon of garam masala and 400 g of canned tomatoes, then cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.

3. Fry the Chicken and Add It to the Sauce

Meanwhile, in a separate pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, fry 500 g of seasoned chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces for a few minutes until golden. Then add the chicken to the pan with the sauce and cook everything together. Set the chicken pan aside to use in the next step.

4. Saute the Onion and Peppers

In the same pan where the chicken was fried, saute 1 chopped onion and 1 red and 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into pieces, cooking the vegetables over high heat for 5 minutes.

5. Combine the Vegetables with the Chicken

Add the vegetables to the pan with the chicken and stir everything together.

6. Serve the Chicken Jalfrezi

Serve the chicken jalfrezi topped with 1 tablespoon of cilantro leaves.

Tips for the Best Chicken Jalfrezi

Choose the Right Cut of Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay wonderfully tender in this kind of recipe, though you can use breast if you prefer. Cut the meat into even, bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.

Balance the Heat and Sweetness

The green chile, seeded and finely chopped, provides the heat, while the sauteed onions and peppers bring a gentle sweetness. That contrast is what makes this curry so delicious, so taste as you go and adjust.

Serve It the Authentic Way

For a truly authentic experience, serve the chicken jalfrezi with boiled basmati rice or naan bread. A scattering of fresh cilantro leaves on top adds color and a bright finish.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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