Japanese Curry – Erren’s Kitchen

Impress your friends and family with this simple, fragrant, flavorful, and easy recipe for Japanese Curry.

A spoon in a dish of Japanese Curry with chicken potatoes and carrots

I love a curry dish. Thai, Indian, Chinese, you name – I adore it, but I have to say Japanese is one of my favorites! I just can’t get enough of the delicious, deep flavors. And although I love a Katsu Curry with Fried chicken, I make this most often as it’s a quick and easy version that’s simpler to throw together.

This dish is loaded with tender chunks of chicken, carrots, and potatoes in a rich savory curry sauce. I’m telling you, if you are a fan of curry, you have to try this!

Why This Recipe Works

Honey adds sweetness while the soy sauce adds a rich umami note as well as seasoning to the curry.
Curry powder and garam masala give the sauce a rich spicy flavor that’s just fantastic.
Cooking the chicken in the sauce instead of separately makes it an easy dinner on busy weeknights.

What Chicken Is Best For Curries

raw sliced chicken fillet meat in spices marinating in bowl

Boneless chicken is best for curries. Chicken thighs are always good because they have lots of flavor and don’t dry out when cooked. Chicken breast will work too, but I suggest cooking it separately and adding it to the sauce instead of simmering which can dry it out.

What Curry Powder For Japanese Curry

Heap of curry powder isolated on white background

There are many varieties of curry powder out there and although they may be marked as curry powder, their flavor profiles can be very different.

To be sure you have the right one for this dish try to choose one with a similar ingredient list to this: Coriander, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Cumin, Black Pepper, Bay Leaves, Celery Seed, Nutmeg, Clove, Onion, Ginger, and Red Pepper (Fenugreek is a key ingredient for this curry).

How To Make Japanese Curry

Brown The chicken and remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Cook onions and garlic until soft.
Add the spices and allow them to bloom with the onion mixture.
Add stock and mix to combine.
Add the chicken back to the pan with carrots and potatoes and simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Step By Step Instructions

Heat oil in a medium saucepan, start by browning the chicken on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.

Add the flour, curry powder, and garam masala. Cook for 1 minute to bloom.

Gradually stir in stock until combined; add the honey and soy sauce.

Add the browned chicken, carrots, and potatoes.

The potatoes and carrots added to the pot with the chicken

Slowly bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until sauce thickens and the carrots are soft enough to eat.

Serve over rice.

Let’s Make
Japanese Curry

This Japanese version of curry is a perfect family meal. Tender pieces of chicken, carrots, and potatoes cooked in a delicious curry sauce.

Prep20 minutes

Cook25 minutes

Total45 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat oil in a medium saucepan, start by browning the chicken on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
Add the flour, curry powder, and garam masala. Cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in stock until combined; add the honey and soy sauce.
Add the browned chicken, carrots, and potatoes.
Slowly bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until sauce thickens and the carrots are soft enough to eat.
Serve over rice.

Nutrition Information:

Nutritional Data Disclaimer

Course:Main

Cuisine:Japanese

Keyword:Japanese Chicken Curry, Japanese Curry

This recipe was originally published in 2015, but was updated with new photos and tips in 2021

Japanese Curry – Erren’s Kitchen

Why This Recipe Works

What Chicken Is Best For Curries

What Curry Powder For Japanese Curry