Are you in the mood for a spicy and creamy curry dish that won’t take hours to prepare? Look no further than this delicious air fryer curry chicken recipe.
With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can have a flavorful and healthy meal on the table in no time.
The star of this recipe is the boneless chicken breasts that are marinated in a blend of spices and seasonings, including curry powder, ginger powder, and garlic.
Once marinated, the chicken cubes are air-fried to perfection. The curry sauce is made with heavy cream and a cornstarch mixture, giving it a rich and velvety texture that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
In addition to the recipe, I also included some helpful tips and suggestions to make this air fryer curry chicken even more delicious. From ingredient substitutions to side dish ideas, I got you covered.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Quick and Easy: This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the air fryer ensures that the chicken is cooked to perfection in no time.
The marinating process is simple too, and once the chicken cubes are in the air fryer, you can sit back and relax.
Flavor Explosion: The spices and seasonings used in this recipe blend together to create a bold and savory taste that will satisfy your taste buds.
The curry powder, garlic, and ginger powder all work together to create a unique and delicious flavor profile that you won’t be able to resist.
👨🍳 Air Fried Curry Chicken Ingredients
For this curry chicken in air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1 1/2 pounds (680g) Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Yellow Onion
- 1/3 cup Heavy Cream
- 4 1/2 teaspoons Curry Powder
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 3/4 teaspoon Ginger Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch (mix with 2 teaspoons of water)
- Cilantro (chopped)
✨ Curry Chicken Air Fryer Recipe
Follow this easy curry chicken air fryer recipe:
Step 1
Dice the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Then, dice the onion.
Step 2
Add them to a large mixing bowl, along with garlic, olive oil, and spices. Mix well and place in the fridge for 30-40 minutes to let the flavors marinate.
Step 3
Place the chicken cubes in a pan that will fit your air fryer basket.
Step 4
Air fry at 400F (200C) for 13-15 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the pan with the cooked chicken and transfer everything to a mixing bowl (use a metal one since it can resist heat). Pour the cream and cornstarch mixture, and then mix well.
Step 6
Place back into the pan and air fry for 6-7 more minutes. Then, remove from the air fryer and serve with chopped cilantro (optional). That’s it! Enjoy this easy air fryer curry chicken recipe.
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked my air fryer chicken curry recipe, make sure to check out these easy and tasty air fryer recipes as well:
💡 Important Tips
Here are my top tips for making the perfect air fryer curry chicken:
1. Marinating the Chicken
I recommend marinating the chicken and onion mixture for at least 30-40 minutes in the fridge before cooking. But actually, you can marinate the mixture for a longer period, even overnight, for a more intense flavor.
This will allow the spices and other ingredients to penetrate the chicken and onion more thoroughly, resulting in a more flavorful dish. I personally marinate it for 24 hours.
2. Use Metal Mixing Bowls
When transferring the cooked chicken and mixture to a mixing bowl, it’s best to use a metal bowl instead of a plastic one.
Metal bowls can resist heat, and it also ensures that the mixture stays warm while adding the cream and cornstarch mixture.
3. Garnish With Fresh Herbs And Spices
Garnishing your air fryer curry chicken with fresh herbs and spices can really improve the presentation and add more flavor to the dish.
You can add chopped cilantro, parsley, or scallions on top of the chicken before serving.
You can also sprinkle some paprika or cumin for extra spice and flavor.
4. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer Basket
When cooking the chicken cubes in the air fryer, make sure not to overcrowd the basket as it can prevent proper airflow, resulting in unevenly cooked chicken. It’s best to cook the chicken in batches if needed.
5. Add Lemon Juice
To add a bright and tangy flavor to your air fried curry chicken, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
Lemon juice can help balance out the richness of the cream and add a refreshing twist to the dish. You can also add a bit of lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor.
✔️ Variations
1. Curry Chicken Wraps: Take a flour tortilla and spread some cream cheese or Greek yogurt on it.
Add a few curry chicken cubes on top, along with some sliced cucumber, lettuce, and tomato. Roll up the tortilla and serve as a delicious and filling lunch or dinner option.
2. Curry Chicken Salad: Chop up curry chicken into small pieces and mix it with diced celery, apples, and grapes.
Add some mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and mix until the ingredients are coated. Serve the curry chicken salad on top of a bed of greens for a light and refreshing meal.
3. Curry Chicken and Rice: Cook up a batch of white or brown rice and serve it in a bowl. Add some curry chicken on top, along with some steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or peas.
Drizzle with some soy sauce or hot sauce for added flavor.
4. Curry Chicken Pizza: Spread tomato sauce on a pre-made pizza crust and sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Add diced curry chicken, sliced red onion, and sliced bell pepper. Bake in the oven according to the pizza crust’s instructions and serve hot.
5. Curry Chicken Tacos: Take a soft or hard taco shell and add some curry chicken cubes inside.
Top it off with some shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Drizzle sour cream or hot sauce on top for added flavor.
6. Curry Chicken Stir-Fry: Stir-fry curry chicken cubes with some sliced bell peppers, onions, and broccoli in a hot wok or skillet.
Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or oyster sauce for added flavor. Serve over a bed of white or brown rice for a delicious and filling meal.
7. Curry Chicken Sandwich: Take a ciabatta roll or sliced bread and spread mayo or aioli sauce on it.
Add curry chicken cubes, sliced tomato, and sliced avocado. Top it off with baby spinach or arugula and serve as a flavorful sandwich.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Yellow Onion: You can use white onions, red onions, or shallots instead of yellow onions.
Heavy Cream: You can use coconut milk, evaporated milk, or half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Curry Powder: You can use garam masala, turmeric, or a combination of ground cumin and coriander instead of curry powder.
Garlic Cloves: You can use garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar instead of fresh garlic cloves.
Ginger Powder: You can use fresh ginger instead of ginger powder.
Cornstarch: You can use tapioca starch, or potato starch instead of cornstarch. Adjust the amount of starch used based on your preference.
Cilantro: You can use parsley or green onions instead of cilantro.
🔁 How To Reheat
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. Place the leftover curry chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry the chicken for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. If the chicken is not as crispy as you’d like it to be, you can air fry it for an additional 2-3 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Once heated through and crispy, remove the curry chicken from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.
🌟 Side Dishes Ideas
You can serve the air fryer chicken curry with any of these delicious side dishes (you can also make most of them in the air fryer!):
1. Cumin Roasted Carrots: The earthy flavor of cumin complements the warm and spicy flavor of the curry chicken.
Roasted carrots also add a crunchy texture and natural sweetness that balances the creaminess of the curry.
The dish is simple to prepare, and the roasted carrots can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin before being roasted in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes.
2. Coconut Rice: The sweetness and nuttiness of coconut rice complement the flavors of the curry chicken.
The richness of the coconut also helps to balance the spiciness of the curry.
To make the coconut rice, cook white rice with coconut milk instead of water, and add a pinch of salt and sugar.
3. Grilled Pineapple: The sweetness of the grilled pineapple add a tangy flavor that contrasts with the spicy and creamy curry chicken.
Simply slice the pineapple into rounds, brush with olive oil, and grill in the air fryer for a few minutes on each side.
4. Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic: The dish is simple to prepare, and the green beans can be sauteed with olive oil and minced garlic for 5-7 minutes until tender.
5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes: To make roasted sweet potatoes, cut sweet potatoes into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes.
👪 FAQ
What kind of chicken should I use?
You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the most common choice. If you use bone-in, skin-on chicken, you will have to increase the cooking time.
Can I make this recipe in a regular oven?
Yes, you can make this recipe in a regular oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Sure, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply cook the chicken and let it cool completely. Then, store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, reheat the chicken in the air fryer or oven until heated through.
I hope you liked my curry chicken in air fryer recipe. This recipe is perfect for those who are looking to make a delicious and healthier version of their favorite dish.
The air fryer does an amazing job at cooking this curry chicken, as it seals in all the flavors without adding too much oil. The texture of the chicken is tender and juicy, while still holding its shape well.
If you have any questions about this air fried curry chicken recipe- comment below. Don’t forget to check out other great air fryer recipe son my website. Thank you for reading!
Air Fryer Curry Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds Chicken Breasts (680g)
- 1 cup Yellow Onion
- 1/3 cup Heavy Cream
- 4 1/2 teaspoons Curry Powder
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 3/4 teaspoon Ginger Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cornstarch (mix with 2 teaspoons of water)
- Cilantro (chopped)
- Dice the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Then, dice the onion.
- Add them to a large mixing bowl, along with garlic, olive oil, and spices. Mix well and place in the fridge for 30-40 minutes (minimum) to let the flavors marinate.
- Place the chicken cubes in a pan that will fit your air fryer basket.
- Air fry the chicken at 400F (200C) for 13-15 minutes.
- Remove the pan with the cooked chicken and transfer everything to a mixing bowl (use a metal one since it can resist heat). Pour the cream and cornstarch mixture, and then mix well.
- Place back into the pan and air fry for 6-7 more minutes. Then, remove from the air fryer and serve with chopped cilantro (optional).
