🌶️ Spiced Chicken Stir-Fry with Curry Vegetables & Tamarind Glaze
▶️ Ingredients
◾️ 1 lb (≈ 450 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast, thinly sliced
◾️ 1 tbsp vegetable oil
◾️ 1 medium onion, sliced
◾️ 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
◾️ 1 cup carrots, julienned
◾️ 1 cup green beans or snap peas
◾️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
◾️ 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
◾️ 1 tsp curry powder
◾️ ½ tsp ground cumin
◾️ ¼ tsp turmeric
◾️ ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
◾️ Salt and pepper, to taste
◾️ 2 tbsp tamarind paste
◾️ 2 tbsp soy sauce
◾️ 1 tbsp honey or palm sugar
◾️ ½ cup coconut milk or water
◾️ Fresh cilantro or basil, for garnish
▶️ Instructions
✅ Step 1: Prep the Chicken
👉 Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt, pepper, and half of the curry powder.
✅ Step 2: Make the Tamarind Glaze
👉 In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, soy sauce, honey (or palm sugar), and coconut milk (or water). Set aside.
✅ Step 3: Cook the Chicken
👉 Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry 4–5 minutes, until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
✅ Step 4: Sauté Aromatics & Vegetables
👉 In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed. Stir-fry onion, garlic, ginger, and the remaining spices (curry powder, cumin, turmeric, chili powder) for 1 minute until fragrant.
👉 Add bell pepper, carrots, and green beans/snap peas. Cook 3–4 minutes until just tender-crisp.
✅ Step 5: Combine & Glaze
👉 Return the chicken to the pan. Pour in the tamarind mixture and toss well to coat.
👉 Simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything.
✅ Step 6: Finish & Serve
👉 Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more chili powder.
👉 Garnish with fresh cilantro or basil.
🔹️ Serving Ideas
Serve over steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or rice noodles.
For a lighter version, use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Add toasted cashews or peanuts for crunch and extra flavor.
🔹️ 5 Chef Tips
1️⃣ Marinate briefly: Let chicken sit with spices 15 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor.
2️⃣ High heat is key: Stir-fry quickly to keep vegetables crisp and bright.
3️⃣ Balance the glaze: Adjust tamarind (for tang) and honey (for sweetness) to taste.
4️⃣ Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook in batches if needed to avoid steaming.
5️⃣ Finish with freshness: Add herbs and a squeeze of lime right before serving.
