This Burmese chicken curry is a delicious combination of Indian and Thai flavours. If you like trying new curry recipes then why not try this spicy Burmese recipe? It's an easy healthy curry and the leftovers are great the next day too!
I love any kind of curry, and love to try new curry recipes. I used to make a different curry every week. Now, I still keep eating curries but I don't necessarily make a new one every week. I've got my favourites I like to keep remaking and I quite like some of our local takeaways as well. Ok, I know they're much less healthy than homemade curries but I still enjoy them.
The Inspiration for this Burmese Chicken Curry
This Burmese chicken curry (See-Pyan) caught my eye a few weeks ago. It is adapted from a Madhur Jaffrey recipe in Madhur Jaffrey's Ultimate Curry Bible. As soon as I read the recipe I immediately knew that I wanted to make it.
Part of the reason it caught my eye was because it was a Burmese recipe as well as a curry. A few years ago I attended a cookery class focusing on Burmese food. One of the dishes we made was a curry, not at all the same as this one as it didn't use a curry paste, but it was absolutely delicious.
What is Burmese food like?
We learnt that Burmese food, like many oriental cuisines, uses sweet, salty and sour flavours. Many dishes can be more of an acquired taste because of the sourness. But don't let me put you off. This Burmese curry is not sour at all. Because of the location of Burma the cuisine is heavily influenced by Indian and Thai cooking styles and flavours and this dish is an example of that.
This Burmese chicken curry is a really healthy choice!
If you're looking for healthy recipes then this curry definitely fits the bill. The onions, ginger, garlic and tomatoes in the sauce make it a brilliant healthy choice. As it's homemade it's not full of oil or fat either. A homemade curry really is a great choice if you're looking for tasty healthy recipes.
Can you adapt this Burmese Chicken Curry?
Feel free to adapt this recipe to suit your tastes. You could add some extra vegetables to make it even more healthy. I think aubergine would be lovely.
Vary the heat in the curry by using more or less cayenne pepper. To satisfy any chilli lovers you can also add some fresh sliced chillies as a garnish at the end. We love to do this as it give the curry a real kick!
What can you serve with this Burmese curry?
I usually serve plain boiled or steamed rice. However, you could serve it with bread as well. If you want extra vegetables then some stir fried greens are lovely on the side too.
What can you do with the leftovers?
This Burmese chicken curry keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. In fact, the leftovers just get better so it's even more tasty the next day! If you aren't going to eat it all up within a few days then you can freeze it as well. It'll freeze for up to three months.
When you want to eat it, defrost the curry in the fridge overnight and then reheat it in the oven, on the hob or in the microwave.
Recipe
Burmese Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 580 g chicken diced
- 4 tomatoes chopped
- 4 teaspoon lemongrass paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon fish sauce
Ingredients for the Marinade
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon hot curry powder
- ½ teaspoon fenugreek
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
Ingredients for the curry paste
- 1 onion (large)
- 2 tablespoon chopped ginger
- 6 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together for the marinade. Then rub into the chicken pieces well. Leave to marinate for an hour.
- Put all the paste ingredients into a blender and blitz. Add a couple of tablespoons of water if it's too dry.
- Heat a little oil in a saucepan. Add the paste and fry for about 6-7 minutes. Then add the chicken and cook for another couple of minutes, stirring so it gets sealed on all sides.
- Add the tomatoes, lemongrass paste and fish sauce. Stir then add about 200 ml of water. Leave to simmer for about 25 minutes. Stir every so often. It shouldn't get dry but if it does add a little more water.
- Serve with rice.
Notes
Nutrition
More Curry Recipes
As I said before, I love curry recipes and I could happily eat curry almost every day. One of my most poplar blog recipes is this easy chicken curry, also known as Jamie Oliver's favourite chicken curry.
I've also got a recipe collection devoted entirely to easy homemade curry recipes from scratch!
If you're looking for some more unusual curries then how about this chicken curry with pickling spices?
This easy Chinese chicken curry?
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you make this Burmese chicken curry or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
You can also stay up to date by following on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
This post was first published in 2010 but has been updated in 2019.
Lou | Crumbs and Corkscrews
This looks fabulous and I love the sound of the combination of Indian and Thai flavours. I've never had Burmese food before but we'll definitely be giving this a try soon.
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like it Lou! It's a slightly different flavoured curry but one we really liked.
Jennifer T Tammy
I've never had Bermese but this looks like a good place to start!
Corina Blum
Why not indeed! I think it's really tasty so I hope you enjoy it too.
Natalie
This looks really delicious. I love the flavors you combined here. It's perfect family dinner. I'm saving this recipe to give it a try this week. I bet my boys will love it.
Corina Blum
Thanks Natalie! I hope your boys like it as much as we did.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Oooh this looks fab - not sure I've ever had any Burmese food, but now I really want to try some! Eb x
Corina Blum
Thanks Eb! It's a really tasty curry and a little bit different too x
Jyothi (Jo)
I'm a big curry fan. I have tried so many different types of curries , but Burmese. It definitely looks delicious and I can't wait to try the curry pretty soon.
Corina Blum
I've seen some wonderful curries on your site Jyoti! I'm so pleased you like this one.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum, this curry looks so good! I have never tried Burmese food, but am loving the flavours in this dish. Pinning to try soon!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like it Sam! It is absolutely delicious, although I am of course a bit biased!
Sharon
There's nothing better than a warm and comforting chicken dish for dinner during the winter. Looks so delicious!
Corina Blum
That's so true! We love chicken dishes all year round but yes, dishes like this are great for winter.
Michelle
This sounds delicious! I'm vegetarian so I'm going to try your idea of using aubergine instead! That colour is amazing!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like the colour! I hope you like it with aubergine - I think that would be a delicious substitution.
Marisa Franca
I haven't had chicken curry in such a long time. I love the spices and it's really easy to put together. We have chicken several times a week - this recipe will be perfect to spice up our evening. The weather is horrible outside - the curry will bring in some heat. Thank you.
Corina Blum
We have chicken a few times a week too - It's so versatile! We are also total curry addicts and have a curry almost every week too. It's great as even our children happily eat curry.
lauren
I'm not familiar with this recipe, but it looks delicious. I love trying new cuisines to cook, this looks like a great weeknight dinner.
Corina Blum
Thanks Lauren! I also love trying new cuisines.
Kiki Johnson
Lemongrass chicken is one of my favorite curries and this one sounds like it could taste quite similar to my fave restaurant order! Love all the spices and the gravy looks so fragrant! YUM
Corina Blum
Thanks Kiki! The lemongrass is lovely in here and it's definitely a curry I want to make again soon.
Charity
I can already imagine the fragrant smell of this dish!!!! I love both Thai and Indian foods so I know I'll love this too! Thanks!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like it! I have to admit it smells great as it's cooking.
Jacqui Bellefontaine
Sounds delicious Corina, I'm not familiar with Burmese Curries one to try for sure. Will pin for later
Corina Blum
It is super tasty Jacqui! Definitely one to try so I hope you like it.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
I have never had Burmese curry before but I love all of the spices in the marinade so I know I would love this. YUM
Corina Blum
Thanks! It is a good one to try, especially if you want something a little different.
Tammy
This is such a beautiful dish and the flavors are wonderful. I'm not too familiar with Burmese cuisine but those spices stand out to me and I know together they must be absolutely fantastic!
Corina Blum
Thanks Tammy! I'm so pleased you like the flavours.
Kelly Anthony
Ok, I officially have GOT to hop on the curry train! This chicken looks so hearty and comforting. A great meal for a cold night!
Corina Blum
Oh yes, you have to try a curry if you haven't already! We love them.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
I've not tried Burmese food before so am intrigued by this! it looks really tasty and definitely like my kind of curry!
Corina Blum
I think Burmese food is not very well known but it is very tasty! Definitely worth trying.
Cliona Keane
You simply can't beat a homemade curry with this chilly weather! This looks like it is packed with flavour...definitely a must try!
Corina Blum
Thanks Cliona! Homemade curries are probably my favourite meals and yes, perfect for chilly days.
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
Another beautiful dish! Those colours! Definitely Pinning for later & thank for sharing! #CookBlogShare
Corina Blum
Thanks Midge! I'm so pleased you like it and thanks for hosting!
Lesli Schwartz
I seriously have to make this curry chicken, the color alone is just so inviting! Thanks for the recipe, will let you know how it turns out!
Corina Blum
Thanks Lesli! I do love chicken curries and I hope you like this one too.
Nikole Berg
I have never tried Burmese recipes before, but I plan to make this one and several of your other curry recipes. I grew up eating Japanese curry dishes, so it's like comfort food to me!
Corina Blum
I hope you like it! I don't know a lot about Japanese curries although I do have a chicken katsuu curry recipe that I really need to make again as well.
Louise Fairweather
This looks and sounds delicious! #cookblogshare
Corina Blum
Thanks Louise! I'm a big fan of curries so I love to make different ones.
Beth
This looks delicious! I love spicy curries! I like the sounds of several of the other curries you suggested, as well! Heading over to check a couple of those out. The romanesco curry, especially, caught my eye!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like the look of the other curries as well. The romanesco curry is one I need to make again too!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
There are so many flavours in here and I love tomato based curries so I'll add this one to my list. Thanks Corina!
Corina Blum
Curries are one of types of meals I make practically every week - they are lovely aren't they!
Ramona
I have to say I have never tried Burmese food before but this looks and sounds amazing so I will definitely have to try this ASAP - I love the sound of Indian- Thai fusion - just perfect for my taste since I love both but never really combined them. Thank you for sharing this delicious dish
Corina Blum
Thanks Ramona! I'm so pleased you like it - It really is a lovely combination of flavours.
zerrin
This sounds so flavorful! I love that it has ginger in it. I have been putting it in whatever I cook these days.
rossdibi
Burmese food it's 100% new for me. Your recipe so is really valuable for me. I just miss lemongrass past.
Merry Xmas from Roma
Juliana
Yummie, this chicken dish looks delicious, love the idea of the lemon grass in it...
Katerina
I guess practice makes perfect. It is so interesting to try the same recipe with different spices. I am sure it tasted great.