My mum's chicken potato curry recipe is a favorite with all of our family and friends. Easy to make and insanely delicious!
Mum's Chicken Potato Curry Recipe
We each have certain foods that evoke strong childhood memories, taking us back to a time when we sat at the family table, feet dangling several inches from the floor, while we waited for our mum or dad to serve up their specialty. For some, that might be a warming chicken noodle soup or a pan of spiced apple crisp. For others, maybe it means the family mac 'n cheese recipe or grilled cheese sandwiches dipped in tomato soup. For me, it's my mum's chicken and potato curry, served with basmati rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, bananas (don't knock it 'til you try it), mango chutney and naan bread.
Several weeks ago, a group of Utah food bloggers were congregated at Barbara's (of Barbara Bakes) house for a baby shower for Maria (of Two Peas and Their Pod). As food bloggers tend to do, we spent a good portion of the evening talking about and eating good food - that is, when we weren't telling Maria stories of birthing nightmares while still reassuring her that everything was going to be okay. Why do we do that to other women? Anyways, Heidi (of Foodiecrush Magazine), who has a gift for getting people to tell their stories (there's a reason this woman is in journalism), had all of us revealing our favorite dishes from childhood - dishes that our mums and dads would make regularly, dishes that were their specialties. As interesting as the food itself were the memories that went with it. So, what do food bloggers do with material like this? We blog about it, of course.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, my mum grew up in Jamaica before moving to Canada in her teens. Growing up surrounded by aunts, a mother and a grandmother who embraced cooking with a variety of spices, my mum earned a palate and appreciation for spicy, savory dishes. This curry is known amongst family members and friends, and has been requested too many times to count over the years. As a kid, the best part was eating each spoonful of curry with basmati rice, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and bananas (a Jamaica influence, I suppose). Topped with dollops of mango chutney and raita (a cooling yogurt sauce with grated cucumber and ground coriander), each bite was a little different and had tinges of sweet and savory to complement the heat. To sop up the gravy, we used naan bread and our tongues. Yeah, just kidding. But it was that good.
To bring everything full circle, the Le Creuset pot seen in these photos is the same one used by my grandparents to make their curries. It is now in my kitchen and I use it with pride, knowing my grandparents served dishes made with care and love for many years.
(Several people have asked me about the saucepan seen in the photos. It was handed down to me from my grandparents, but it is the classic Le Creuset Signature Round Wide 3-½-Quart Dutch Oven. It has held many curries over the years and works beautifully for this stew.)
This curry can be mild or spicy, depending on the type of curry paste you use. The brand my mum and I use, Patak's, is available in mild and spicy. Pick your poison.
The recipe:
Heat canola oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add apples, green onions and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until apple begins to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Turn heat to medium-low and add Patak's curry paste and cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
Turn heat back to medium and add chicken thighs and ½ cup water. Cook, turning chicken frequently, for 10 minutes. Add coconut milk and turn chicken to coat.
In a small bowl, stir together cumin, coriander and 4 teaspoons water to make a paste. Stir into the curry. Add cayenne pepper, if desired. Season with salt.
Add potatoes, cover pot with lid ajar, turn heat to low to medium-low and simmer for 1 to 2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and the gravy thickens.
Serve with basmati rice, naan, raita, mango chutney and diced cucumbers, tomatoes and bananas.
Printable Recipe
Mum’s Chicken & Potato Curry
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 2 Gala apples cut into ¼-inch dice
- 3 green onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 10 ounce jar mild curry paste (I use Patak's)
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup water
- 1 14 ounce can light coconut milk 14 oz. light coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 4 teaspoons water
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 small red-skinned potatoes cut into ½-inch dice
Instructions
- Heat canola oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add apples, green onions and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until apple begins to soften, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Turn heat to medium-low and add Patak's curry paste and cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- Turn heat back to medium and add chicken thighs and ½ cup water. Cook, turning chicken frequently, for 10 minutes.
- Add coconut milk and turn chicken to coat.
- In a small bowl, stir together cumin, coriander and 4 teaspoons water to make a paste. Stir into the curry. Add cayenne pepper, if desired. Season with salt.
- Add potatoes, cover pot with lid ajar, turn heat to low to medium-low and simmer for 1 to 2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and the gravy thickens.
- Serve with basmati rice, naan, raita, mango chutney and diced cucumbers, tomatoes and bananas.
Nutrition
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Barbara | Creative Culinary
I love curries...especially since unlocking the secret to good curry and that's making my own spice blend. I'm hungry, my feet are cold and I wish I had some now; it would be all better.
Carolyn
I might have to skip the potatoes on this one but it sounds like a fabulous dish! I didn't know your mum was Jamaican. And how much do I love that like me, you still spell it "mum".
Nava Krishnan
Apples into curries is new to me but sure a lovely outcome, tempting curry.
Heidi / foodiecrush
From the minute I saw it, I knew I'd have to make this curry. And Tiffany's right, your mom is definitely the "fancy mum." Love the post, loved that you coined Family Food Flashback. Maybe we need to do a Christmas rendition, Griswold style 🙂
Kate@Diethood
This sounds so good, I love curries like this!
Sandy
I love the idea of apples in the curry. It sounds like some of the Southern Mexico dishes I'm familiar with so, decided to give it a try! I bought everything at the grocery and it's on the menu for Sunday dinner. Wish me luck!
Lora @cakeduchess
This post is wonderful. How sweet is it that you used your family Le Creuset to make this gorgeous curry. I bet that conversation at Maria's family was fun. How nice for Maria to have you all near her. Apples in the sauce...oh my goodness, delicious!!!
Claudia
I grew up in Jamaica! (Queens, NYC) and we had delicious curries courtesy of my aunt and uncle who lived in India. So - you know I love it. Bananas? Love it! Curry truly is a symphony of flavor and you have captured it.
Carolinaheartstrings
That recipe looks so fantastic. I adore curry. Thanks for sharing this one.
naomi
This looks incredible. I love curry, I love it even more that its a family recipe.
Donna
LOve this recipe - and so special that you made it in an heirloom!
Island Vittles
What a gorgeous dish! Theresa
Belinda @zomppa
Thanks for sharing this family recipe!! It's a huge pot of goodness. Could dive right in.
CouponClippingCook
This sounds and looks so good. The chicken must be so tender...and the smell of this when cooking must be amazing.
JulieD
This looks so good, Dara! Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂
Lauren
Oh yum! I need to try this!
Tracy
This sounds absolutely wonderful! These kind of dishes are the best - the ones that bring back memories of family and friends. Thank you for sharing it!
Marla
Dara, Heidi does sound like an amazing gal. Such a great topic of conversation & a good diversion from the birthing room horror stories (we all have those!)
How neat that the le Creuset pot that you use was handed down from your grandparents. That is a well used pot indeed! I was wondering how this delightful curry tied into your childhood. Makes sense that your mom grew up in Jamaica. Love the idea of the bananas in the sauce, I do that often!
Jeanette
I love family recipes that get passed down - this is a keeper - and I love that you are passing the Le Creuset pot down the line.
Nancy@acommunaltable
Thoroughly enjoyed this post Dara - I love curries and this one is a bit different from the ones I've made - can't wait to make it!! Love that you still have your grandparents Le Crueset too!!