Easy Jalfrezi Recipe for You to Try

Jalfrezi is a famous Indian dish which means hot or spicy stir-fry. It represents a dish with a mixture of raw spices such as garlic, ginger, cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon, etc. that is cooked in oil, coconut oil, or ghee. The word ‘jalfrezi’ is translated from the Bengali word ‘jhal’. It means hot or spicy. ‘Frezi’ is another word that means stir-fry. There are two types of jalfrezi – chicken jalfrezi and vegetable jalfrezi. Both of the dishes became famous across the globe for their tangy taste. It can be served with roti, paratha, naan, or rice.

Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped for garnish

Method

Step 1: Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin and coriander seeds. Fry for a few seconds until they splutter.

Step 2: Add the sliced onions and fry until they are golden brown. Add the minced garlic and ginger paste and fry for a minute until the raw smell disappears.

Step 3: Add the boneless chicken and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until it is browned on all sides.

Step 4: Add the sliced bell peppers and green chillies, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are tender.

Step 5: Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala powder, and mix well. Add salt to taste and stir-fry for a few more minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 6: Garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or naan.

Vegetable Jalfrezi

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons oil
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 green chilli, slit lengthwise
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric 
• ½ green bell pepper, sliced
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced
• ½ yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 roma tomato, sliced
• ½ cup baby corn, sliced diagonally
• ½ cup carrots, cut into thick julienne
• ½ cup French beans, sliced diagonally into 2″ pieces
• ½ cup cauliflower florets
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 onions sliced
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 3 tablespoons tomato puree 
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• ¼ cup sweet corn kernels
• ½ cup paneer
• 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg ground
• ⅛ teaspoon green cardamom ground
• 2 tablespoons kasuri methi, dry roasted, and crushed
• 4 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped

Method

Step 1:  Begin by blanching the baby corn, beans, cauliflower, carrots and corn kernels and setting them aside.

Step 2: In a frying pan or wok, heat the oil. When the cumin seeds begin to sputter, add the green chilli that has been cut. Add the ginger-garlic paste after the chilli has been cooking for 15 seconds. For 30 seconds, cook. Then add the thinly sliced onions and cook until transparent.

Step 3: Add the tomato puree, tomato ketchup, and turmeric and red chilli powders to the pan. Stirring constantly, sauté for one minute.

 Step 4: Bell peppers and tomatoes, cut into thin slices, are added to the frying pan and sauté for two minutes. 

Step 5: Add salt, garam masala, nutmeg powder, cardamom powder, kasuri methi, and the veggies that have been blanched and drained.

Step 6: Add a tablespoon of water, combine, and cook for a few minutes with the lid on over a low flame. Sauté for a minute after adding the paneer.

Step 7: Serve hot with additional fresh coriander as a garnish.

Tips to Enhance the Taste

• Use boneless chicken to make the chicken jalfrezi recipe. It helps to cook faster and absorb the spices well. Also, you can cut the chicken into small pieces. It becomes helpful to marinate the chicken and cook evenly. 
• If you want to cook restaurant-style chicken jalfrezi, then use tomato ketchup with fresh tomatoes. It enhances the flavour of the dish.
• Cook the vegetables until they acquire a crispy texture. But avoid overcooking the veggies. It deteriorates the crispness and hampers the texture of the recipe.
• You should use a wide and shallow pan to cook this food. A wide pan helps to cook easily and smoothen the movement of a spatula.
• You can add yoghurt, coconut milk, or heavy cream along with the fresh tomatoes to enhance the creaminess.

Nutritional Content in Vegetable Jalfrezi Recipe

Nutritional Content in Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe

Conclusion

Now, try this recipe and explore the exotic taste of Jalfrezi. The spicy, semi-dry texture differentiates it from the traditional chicken curry. Try it at least once, and you will fall in love with its taste forever!