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Fruity Chicken Curry is a fantastic first curry for kids and babies. The sultanas and apples add a lovely sweet taste and they pair beautifully with the spices.
This curry has been developed with babies and children in mind but this is a meal the whole family will love. Readers love this recipe because it:
- Has no unusual ingredients - there isn't a long list of spices to buy, just everyday ingredients.
- Quick and easy - No fancy steps or having to marinate for hours.
- Flavoursome - The curry powder along with the sweetness of the fruit and veggies gives great flavour.
- Kid-friendly - Because if the kids are happy the parents are too...
Looking for more kid-friendly curries? Make sure to check out this mango chicken curry, lentil curry, sweet potato and chickpea curry, egg curry or slow cooker chicken curry.
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Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)
- Chicken: This recipe uses breast meat but if you prefer thigh meat then please use it, it works great. (The cooking method is slightly different and detailed in the recipe card.)
- Curry Powder: Curry powders vary greatly and will change the taste of this curry. Study the ingredient list, some brands have salt pretty high up in the ingredient list, which you want to avoid for babies and young toddlers. They also range in spice level, look for mild curry powder. Currently, in my spice drawer, I have Clive of India, Authentic Curry Powder and Aldi's (Australia) own brand. The Aldi version contains no salt and is made with 100% spices. The Clive of India does contain salt but it is the last ingredient on the list.
- Canned Tomatoes: Chopped or crushed work well, you can also replace with passata if you prefer.
- Stock: Use low sodium or homemade if cooking for a baby or young child.
- Sultanas: You can use raisins or replace with some chopped dried apricot.
Step-by-Step Instructions (and Cooking Tips)
- Sear the chicken in a little oil, (no need to cook through), remove and add back in at the end of cooking. This stops the chicken drying out and becoming tough.
- Saute the onion and garlic until the onion becomes translucent. Add the carrots, pepper and curry powder and cook for 1-2 minutes. If you find that it starts to catch on the bottom of the pan, add a little stock.
- Add remaining ingredients and allow to simmer for 15 mins, covered. This allows the apple and carrot to soften and the flavours to develop.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and cook for a further 10 mins. Until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Add extra stock if needed.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the curry to cool; store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Freeze: Allow the curry to cool; transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw, overnight, in a refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Babies are a lot more accommodating to new foods and so it is a great idea to introduce new flavours and spices early (from 6 months plus). This fruit chicken curry is mild but packed full of flavour, a perfect first curry!
A few things to note when cooking curry this curry for babies:
Curry Powder: Not all curry powders are created equally. Check the ingredient list and look for a mild curry powder without added salt and sugar.
Stock: Use homemade stock or a low-salt stock to keep sodium levels down.
Chicken: Breast meat can be a little dry and thigh meat is often preferred (see recipe card for cooking instructions if using thighs).
Fruit and Vegetable pieces: Chop to a safe and suitable size for your baby.
Too Spicy? All curry powders are different if you find that the curry is too spicy then stir through some yoghurt (or coconut milk) This has the added benefit of cooling down the temperature too!
Texture: If your child prefers a smooth curry sauce then you can blend before adding the chicken back into the pan. Add more stock, if needed, to thin the gravy.
Vegetables: Don't like bell peppers? Switch them out for other veggies. (e.g broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peas)
Family style: Curries are great for serving family-style. Serve a big pan of curry with lots of sides (coconut rice, nan bread, popadums, yoghurt, cucumber sticks, tomato wedges etc) and allow your kids to serve themselves.
More Family Friendly Recipes...
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Fruity Chicken Curry for Kids and Babies
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 600g (1.3lb) Chicken Breasts sliced
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Garlic minced
- 1-2 tablespoon Mild Curry Powder see notes
- 1 Carrot grated
- 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 Apple cored and chopped
- 75g (½ cup) Sultanas
- 400g (14 oz) Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- 365ml (1½ cups) Chicken Stock
Instructions
- Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear the chicken(no need to cook through) and remove from pan.
- To the same pan, add the remaining oil and turn the heat down to low. Add the onion and garlic. Sautee for around 3 minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Add the carrot, pepper and curry powder and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. If you find that the powder is starting to stick then add a splash of stock.
- Add remaining ingredients (apart from the chicken) and allow to simmer for 15 mins, covered.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and cook for a further 10 mins. Until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutritional facts
*This recipe post was originally posted Nov 2013. It has been updated with more cooking information and photos. The recipe has also changed slightly. If you would like the original recipe please e-mail me [email protected].
Rob O
My kids love this, one of their favourite dishes! but just beware the cook time isn’t 20 minutes…
Amy Whiteford
Thanks Rob, how long do you find it takes to make?
Jasmine
What can I use if I had forgotten to get the chicken stock?
Amy
Hi Jasmine, you could replace it with water but it won't have as much flavour. Alternatively you could try coconut milk.
Kirsty
We have this regularly big hit with both my 4yo and my 20 month (she’s dairy free) so we add coconut milk to make it creamy, and grandparents love it too! I definitely have an adapted version now…. I use oil and the curry powder/spices, which varies as to what is in cupboard, to make a marinade for the chicken before I cook it. Then I just brown chicken and Chuck the rest in. Usually don’t add stock as I find it’s too runny once added coconut milk. If it needs a bit more flavour just a bit of bouillon powder. Have recommended this dish to friends!
Amy
Thanks Kirsty, sounds perfect 🙂
Linda
Hi Amy, this looks delicious! could you grate a zucchini too for if you want to add extra veg ? Would I need to add extra stock/water ?
Amy
Yes, that sounds like a great idea. I wouldn't add any extra stock. You can always add a little more if at any point you feel it needs it.
Olga
It was great but next time I will use thighs instead of breast. The breast pieces turned out to be quite hard. I love your site.
Amy
Thank you Olga! When my kids were really little they preferred thigh too. It will be great in this dish.
Linda
Would it be a better idea to make the curry powder instead of shop bought
Amy
Hi Linda, you can def make your own curry powder if you prefer. Shop bought is fine too, just check the ingredients so you aren't buying one with a lot of salt added.
Sarah Z
Delicious recipe but just need mindful of how much curry powder you put in. My family doesn’t really eat a lot of spicy foods so I put 1.5 tbs of keens curry powder in but it was just too much for my 7 and 9 year old. They still ate it, bless them, but topped it with a mountain of sour cream (we only had vanilla yogurt!). Also added in half a tin of coconut milk to try and make it a little creamier. Will make again but with less curry powder. Thank you!
Amy
Thanks for the feedback, Sarah. Sour cream to the rescue!
Lara
This is brilliant and so easy! I mixed in some Greek yoghurt at the end. I gave my very particular 17 month old a taste at the end then went back into the kitchen where she chased me to for more. She even happily ate the chicken which I normally struggle to get her to eat. This is a winner in our house.
Amy
This comment makes me so happy, Lara! So glad it was a hit with your little girl! 🙂
M Hackett
I loved this curry but I used 3 teaspoons of mild curry powder, and not 3 tablespoons. It had a mild spicey taste, which was perfect for me.
Amy
Fab! Glad you liked it and found what worked best for you. 🙂
Tammy
Can I please ask which brand of curry powder you recommend for this recipe please?
Amy
Hi Tammy, I am unsure of the curry powder I used to develop the recipe. When making this for young children I would use mild curry powder and check the ingredient list. You want to avoid any with salt high up in the ingredient list. I am not sure where you are based, I live in Australia now and like the Clive of India Authentic Curry Powder.
Vikki
Nearly 3 yr old and 10month old loved this dish. As did I! Thank you.
Amy
Fab! Thanks for letting me know, Vikki 🙂
Judy
Omg delicious recipe!! My twins, myself & hubby loved it!! This one is def going in my recipe box! I was thinking of adding mango or pineapple for an alternative version too
Amy
Thanks Judy, So glad the whole family approved! Loving the sound of pineapple or mango in this - they would work great.
Lindsey
I tried this recipie and the curry powder was so over whelming sad to say it tasted awful
Amy
Hi Lindsey, sorry you didn't have much luck with the recipe. Curry powders can vary so much - did you use a hot powder?
Suzelle Coetsee
Hi Amy,
Would I be able to freeze the curry?
Regards
Suzelle
Amy
Hi Suzette, I freeze this with no issues.
Enjoy!
Amy
Hollie
Hi I am looking to make this in a big batch and freeze into individual small portions for my 4 year old, can you please explain how you defrosted it? Did you microwave from frozen? Did you let yours defrost in the fridge overnight? X
Amy
Hi Hollie, I usually defrost the portions in the refrigerator overnight. If your microwave has a defrost setting you could defrost that way.