Chicken Keema Curry
Chicken Keema Curry is a medium Indian recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Imran Ali on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr 35 min | Total: 2 hrs 10 min
Cost: $20.47 total, $5.12 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Ghee (unsalted)
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin, can substitute vegetable oil)
- 3 Bay Leaves
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks (about 2‑inch pieces)
- 4 Cloves
- 5 Cardamom Pods
- 1 Large White Onion (Spanish‑type, roughly 300 g, sliced thin)
- 1 tsp Salt (plus pinch for onions)
- 3 Garlic and Ginger Blocks (pre‑made blocks, roughly 1 tbsp each when grated)
- 2 Tomatoes (large, ripe, chopped)
- 0.5 tbsp Turmeric Powder
- 0.5 tbsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tbsp Coriander Powder
- 0.5 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Madras Curry Powder
- 3 Green Chilies (slit lengthwise, seeds optional)
- 1 pinch Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 kg Chicken Mince (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 cup Frozen Peas (thawed)
- 0.33 tbsp Garam Masala (about 1 tsp)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander (Cilantro) (chopped for garnish)
- 200 ml Water (plus extra splashes as needed)
Instructions
Heat Ghee and Oil
Add 2 tbsp ghee and 3 tbsp olive oil to the pan over medium‑high heat and let melt.
Time: PT2M
Toast Whole Spices
Add 3 bay leaves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 5 cardamom pods. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Time: PT0M30S
Sauté Onion
Add the sliced large white onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until the onion softens and begins to sweat.
Time: PT5M
Add Garlic‑Ginger Blocks
Add the 3 garlic‑ginger blocks, increase heat slightly, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the blocks break down.
Time: PT5M
First Water Splash & Simmer
Add a splash of water (≈2 tbsp), lower heat to medium, cover with the lid and simmer for 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Add Tomatoes
Stir in the chopped 2 large tomatoes, face‑down, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until the skins start to separate.
Time: PT5M
Mash Tomato‑Onion Mix
Using a spoon or masher, gently mash the tomato‑onion mixture to achieve a semi‑smooth consistency.
Time: PT2M
Add Ground Spices
Stir in 0.5 tbsp turmeric, 0.5 tbsp cumin powder, 1 tbsp coriander powder, 0.5 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp Madras curry powder, and the sliced green chilies. Cook for 30 seconds.
Time: PT0M30S
Water & Oil Separation Check
Add another splash of water (≈2 tbsp), stir, and cook for 3 minutes until you see a thin layer of oil separating around the edges.
Time: PT3M
Add Chicken Mince
Add 1 kg chicken mince, break it up with the spoon, and sprinkle a large pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Time: PT3M
Initial Simmer
Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes to let the meat release its moisture.
Time: PT10M
Add Boiling Water
Pour in 200 ml boiling water, increase heat to bring back to a gentle boil, then reduce to low‑medium and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.
Time: PT25M
Add Peas and Garam Masala
Stir in 1 cup thawed peas and 0.33 tbsp garam masala. Continue simmering for another 15 minutes, stirring halfway.
Time: PT15M
Final Simmer & Oil Separation
Lower heat to low, cover, and simmer for a final 10 minutes until a clear oil layer appears on top.
Time: PT10M
Garnish & Serve
Turn off heat, sprinkle chopped fresh coriander over the keema, let rest 1 minute, then serve hot with rice or flatbread.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 25 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, High‑Protein, Low‑Carb
Allergens: Dairy (ghee), Possible cross‑contamination with nuts in spice blends
Last updated: April 7, 2026






