Quick & Easy Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

Jamie Oliver’s leftover chicken curry transforms mundane poultry into a vibrant, mouthwatering experience that sparks culinary excitement.

Weeknight meals rarely offer such delightful reinvention of simple ingredients.

Spices dance through the sauce, creating layers of complex and inviting flavors that elevate ordinary chicken.

Home cooks can easily master this recipe with minimal preparation and maximum impact.

The combination of aromatics and tender meat promises a comforting yet exciting dining adventure.

Creamy textures and bold seasonings merge into a single, harmonious dish that feels both familiar and exotic.

Each bite tells a story of resourceful cooking and global inspiration: get ready to revolutionize your dinner routine.

Why Leftover Chicken Curry by Jamie Oliver Deserves a Try

• Rescue Leftover Magic: Transform boring leftover chicken into a vibrant, flavor-packed curry that breathes new life into yesterday's meal.
• Spice Symphony Explosion: Blend aromatic spices like curry powder, cumin, and turmeric to create a complex, warming dish that dances with intense flavor profiles and tantalizes taste buds.
• Quick Weeknight Warrior: Whip up this delicious curry in under two hours, making it a perfect solution for busy home cooks seeking a satisfying and nutritious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Everything Needed for Jamie’s Leftover Curry

• Leftover Chicken: Tender protein that adds substance and flavor to the curry, best when previously cooked and shredded or cubed.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust and fragrant base for the curry, fresh and aromatic varieties work best.

• Curry Powder, Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper: Warm, complex spice blend that provides depth and traditional curry flavor, choose fresh and high-quality spices for best results.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Chopped Tomatoes, Coconut Milk: Creamy, rich sauce base that adds moisture and authentic curry texture, opt for full-fat coconut milk for a luxurious consistency.

• Oil: Neutral cooking medium that helps sauté aromatics and prevent sticking, use vegetable or neutral-flavored oil.

• Fresh Cilantro: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and a vibrant finishing touch to the curry.

How to Use Leftovers for Jamie’s Chicken Curry

Step 1: Sizzle and Awaken Aromatics

• 1 diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• Grated fresh ginger

Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and release their enticing fragrance.

Step 2: Spice Up Your Curry Base

• Curry powder
• Ground cumin
• Ground coriander
• Turmeric
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional for heat lovers)

Toast the spices for 1-2 minutes, allowing their aromas to bloom and intensify.

Step 3: Create a Creamy Sauce

• Chopped tomatoes
• Coconut milk

Stir thoroughly and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to dance and blend.

Step 4: Introduce Leftover Chicken

Add of shredded or chopped cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir gently to coat each piece with the vibrant curry mixture. Warm through for 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Final Flavor Boost

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro just before serving. Enjoy with rice or warm naan bread.

Handy Tips for Flavorful Chicken Curry

• Preserve Flavor Power: Store leftover spices in airtight containers away from light and heat to maintain their potency and aromatic qualities.
• Texture Transformation Trick: Let curry rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow sauce thickening and flavor melding.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm leftover curry on low heat with a splash of water to prevent sauce drying and maintain original creamy consistency.
• Meal Prep Master Move: Portion curry into individual containers before refrigerating for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• Garnish Greatness: Sprinkle fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime just before serving to brighten flavors and add a zesty finishing touch.

Best Storage for Curry Without Drying It Out

• Freezing Method: Create individual meal-sized portions in freezer-safe containers. Pack the curry carefully without overfilling, leaving slight space for expansion. Label each container with date and contents using waterproof marker, ensuring easy tracking and preventing mystery leftovers.
• Refrigeration Method: Transfer curry to glass or ceramic airtight containers with tight-sealing lids. Ensure curry cools completely at room temperature before refrigerating, preventing condensation and potential bacterial growth. Position container at back of refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent, keeping curry fresh for 3-4 days.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen curry slowly in refrigerator overnight for best results. Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

Twist the Classic With Curry Variations

• Spicy Vegetable Fusion: Replace chicken with a mix of roasted cauliflower, bell peppers, and zucchini for a hearty vegetarian version that keeps the rich, aromatic curry flavors.
• Quick Thai-Inspired Spin: Swap curry powder with red Thai curry paste, add bamboo shoots, and finish with a splash of fish sauce to create an authentic Southeast Asian profile.
• Coconut Seafood Edition: Substitute chicken with tender shrimp or white fish chunks, maintaining the creamy coconut base and adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking delicate proteins.
• Protein-Packed Lentil Remix: Introduce cooked red lentils alongside or instead of chicken, boosting nutritional value and creating a filling vegetarian alternative with similar texture and depth.

What You’ll Take Away From This Clever Curry

Culinary magic emerges from Jamie Oliver’s leftover chicken curry, transforming simple ingredients into a remarkable feast.

Spices dance across the palate, weaving complex layers of flavor with each compelling bite.

British kitchen creativity shines through this resourceful recipe, proving that leftovers can become extraordinary meals.

Kitchen adventurers discover comfort and excitement in this single-pan wonder, blending aromatic spices with tender chicken.

Global influences merge seamlessly, creating a dish that celebrates both convenience and gourmet potential.

Passionate cooks, this curry beckons – share its delicious story, spread the recipe love, and let fellow food enthusiasts savor every remarkable moment.

Jamie Oliver Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Leftover Chicken Curry brings British-Indian flavors to your kitchen with incredible ease. Rich, aromatic spices meld perfectly with tender chicken, creating a delicious meal you can savor in less than 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein and Vegetables:

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked leftover chicken, shredded
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece of ginger, grated

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) curry powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) chopped tomatoes
• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 ml) coconut milk
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet over medium heat, drizzling olive oil to create a cooking base for the aromatic foundation of the dish.
2. Gently introduce finely diced onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger into the heated oil, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essences for approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle a vibrant blend of ground curry powder, earthy cumin, bright coriander, golden turmeric, and optional fiery cayenne pepper into the sautéed vegetables, toasting the spices for 1-2 minutes to intensify their complex flavors.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes and creamy coconut milk, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious sauce that will envelop the protein with rich, layered flavors.
5. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, enabling the spices and liquids to meld and develop a deep, robust flavor profile.
6. Fold in the pre-cooked chicken pieces, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with the aromatic curry sauce, and continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly heated.
7. Assess the seasoning, adding kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the curry’s taste, adjusting according to personal preference.
8. Transfer the fragrant curry to serving dishes, garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro leaves to add a bright, herbal note and visual appeal.

Notes

• Spice up leftover chicken by transforming it into a vibrant curry that saves time and reduces food waste.
• Choose boneless, skinless chicken pieces for the smoothest texture and easiest eating experience.
• Fresh whole spices elevate the curry’s depth and complexity far beyond pre-ground alternatives.
• Creamy coconut milk balances warm spices while adding luxurious richness to every bite.
• Personalize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper to match your spice tolerance.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container, enjoying within 3 days for maximum flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg