If Indian cuisine both interests and and sometimes intimidates you in cooking, our easy Chicken Madras (aka Air Fryer Curry) recipe is one you must try for starters. It’s so easy to prepare and cook in about 30 minutes and with its bold flavor we think you may want to add this dish to your “Favorites” list! With Chicken Madras (Air Fryer Curry), plan to order less Indian cuisine take-out, save a little money, and be a little bit healthier.
What is Chicken Madras?
Chicken Madras is an Indian curry dish that consists of small pieces of chicken cooked in a tomato sauce with onions and fragrant spices including curry powder. It is thought to have originated in Madras (which is now called Chennai) in India back in 1640s when British merchants arrived there. It’s not known by the same name back in India though. In India, madras curries are typically fiery and hot and vary from region to region. The name of the present-day Chicken Madras dish has its origin back in the United Kingdom since madras curry is an English invention. It uses spices from India commonly used in Indian foods, but the British colonists created a specific blend used to create the curry.
Is standard curry powder the same as Madras curry?
Spices like fenugreek, cardamom and turmeric are usually present in all curry powder blends. Madras and curry both have similar origins; curry is intended to copy the flavor of Indian cuisine for a western palate, while madras curry is on the hotter side due to the use of chili peppers. Curry powder is a mixture of turmeric and other spices that can be blended in mild, medium or hot strengths. The main difference between these blends is that madras curry powder can be spicier in taste compared to standard curry powder. Both types of curry powder have many of the same ingredients. For simplicity in this air fryer chicken madras recipe, standard curry powder is used. If it is not hot enough for your taste, you can always add extra curry powder.
What ingredients you will need to make chicken madras (air fryer curry):
- A large chicken breast
- Coconut flakes
- Spices including coriander, curry powder, turmeric and cumin
- Olive oil
- Tomatoes, garlic and onion
- Chicken stock
How do you cook chicken madras in an air fryer?
Chicken is deliciously succulent when cooked in the air fryer, so this recipe lends itself well to cooking in an air fryer. Here are the simple directions to mastering chicken madras (air fryer curry).
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Place the diced chicken with half of the olive oil directly into the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the coconut with the spices and remaining olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic to the chicken and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.
- Next, add the coconut and spices to the chicken and cook for 10 minutes.
- Now add the tomatoes and chicken stock and cook for 5-10 more minutes,
- Enjoy!
Why we think you will love this Chicken Madras recipe:
- It’s easy and ready in about 30 minutes
- It less expensive than take-out
- It’s low-cal, low-carb and gluten free
- It’s healthier than deep-fried because the air fryer uses less oil and circulates hot air to get that crispy on the outside tender on the inside chicken.
What temp do you use to cook chicken madras in an air fryer?
Chicken madras is cooked at 360 degrees F in the air fryer.
How do you know when chicken madras (air fryer curry) is done?
Chicken madras is consider done and ready to eat with the internal temp of the chicken is 165 degrees F. The chicken will reach this temp when cooked for 25 minutes in the air fryer.
Does chicken stay tender when cooked in an air fryer?
The air fryer cooks food faster, crispier, and all around better than your oven can, making it perfect for cooking chicken breasts. Since the air fryer works with convection heat, there is no need to cook chicken at very high temperatures, as it may quickly dry out and turn rubbery. The hot air circulating in an air fryer ensures the chicken breast cooks quickly, evenly, and the meat gets perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Can you use frozen chicken to cook chicken madras in an air fryer?
Thaw frozen chicken completely before cooking air fryer chicken madras. This ensures the chicken will be cooked with the proper timing and temperature for the best-tasting results.
Is it safe to eat rare or undercooked chicken?
It is never safe or recommended to eat rare or undercooked chicken. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F to be considered safe to eat according to the U.S.D.A. Salmonella is a common food-borne bacteria found in undercooked chicken and can cause discomfort including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting.
Can you freeze chicken madras after cooking in an air fryer?
You can freeze chicken madras for up to 2-3 months in an air-tight container, however it may be a little dry once thawed and reheated. It’s so simple to cook in the air fryer, that it’s best to eat it while fresh from the air fryer.
How long can you safely store chicken madras in the refrigerator after cooking?
Chicken madras stores safely in the refrigerator for about 3 days as long as it is fully cooked and placed in a sealed air-tight containerHow do you reheat chicken madras in an air fryer?
You can reheat leftover chicken madras in the air fryer, and it is so much better than using the microwave. It will never be soggy when reheated in the air fryer. Just preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook the leftover chicken madras for about 2-3 minutes to start with. If not warm enough for your taste, just add a minute or two.
What do you serve chicken madras with?
We love to serve our chicken madras over a fresh bed of rice, or with hot Naan breads such as butter Naan, garlic Naan or plain Naan.
Air Fryer Chicken Madras
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken breast diced
- 2 tbsp coconut flakes
- 1 tbsp coriander ground
- 1.5 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tomatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 10 oz chicken stock
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F
- Add the diced chicken and half of the olive oil directly into the air fryer basket
- Cook for 5 minutes
- In a bowl mix the spices and coconut with the remaining olive oil
- Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic to the chicken and continue to cook for another 5 minutes
- Add in the mix of spices and coconut
- Allow to cook for 10 minutes
- Add the tomatoes, chicken stock and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes
Notes
- Try cooking chicken madras with a little yogurt and see what you think. Yogurt does not make the taste bland, but it does add a mild tanginess and boosts the flavor.
- You can use chicken thighs with this recipe if you prefer dark meat.
- Be sure and keep the chicken pieces diced to the same size, as they will cook more evenly that way.
- If you are still getting used to Indian spices, you could substitute Mexican spices, or even a mild Italian season blend instead if you are feeling creative.
David McCallum says
At stage 2, do you add the chicken directly in the air fryer, or put a bowl inside it?
Zac says
You would add the chicken directly into the air fryer basket.
Corrine says
Is this all done on the air fryer function or should I be on something different?