How to Make Chicken Curry in the Air Fryer

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Curry – A Flavorful, Quick Dinner

Craving a rich, comforting curry but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This air fryer chicken curry is your answer! It’s packed with bold flavors, tender chicken, and a creamy, spiced sauce that comes together effortlessly.

Whether you’re new to making curry or a longtime fan, this recipe delivers all the warmth and depth you love—without the fuss. Plus, with the air fryer, you’ll reduce cooking time while still achieving that perfect balance of flavors. Let’s dive into this easy, delicious meal!

Ingredients and Supplies to Make Chicken Curry in the Air Fryer

This recipe is packed with delicious fresh flavors that really pop.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Tomatoes
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Salted butter
• Heavy cream or coconut milk
• Curry powder
• Cumin 
• Coriander
• Smoked paprika (plus a little more)
• Chili powder 
• Fresh coriander for topping 

Supplies

• Air fryer
• Air fryer cake barrel or an oven-safe bowl that fits in your air fryer basket
• Immersion blender or food processor

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Curry

Step 1: Roast the Tomatoes

Slice the tomatoes in half and quarter the onion. Place the tomatoes cut side up with the onion in an air fryer cake barrel dish. You can also use any oven-safe dish in your air fryer basket. Roast the tomatoes in the air fryer at 320°F/160°C for 25 minutes or until they are soft and charred.

Step 2: Make the Curry Sauce

Once the tomatoes and onions are cooked, add garlic, ginger, butter, curry powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 5 minutes in the air fryer. 

Next, puree everything with the cream. You can either do this with an immersion blender in the dish or transfer the contents to a food processor and return them to the dish.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Remove the pot with the sauce from the air fryer. Chop the chicken into small chunks and place them in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Cook in the air fryer at 380°F/190°C and cook for 5-8 minutes or until cooked through.

The chicken is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C using an instant-read food thermometer.

Air Fryer Pro Tip: Download and print this FREE internal temperature guide to ensure that all your foods are completely cooked before consumption! 

Step 4: Combine the Sauce and Chicken

Once the chicken is finished, place it in the air fryer cake barrel dish with the sauce. Place the curry dish in the air fryer basket and cook for a final 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Enjoy this recipe with rice or naan bread. This homemade flatbread recipe is one of my favorite go-to recipes when I’m in a pinch for time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put sauce in the air fryer?

Yes! Sauce can be cooked in the air fryer with an oven-safe dish or cake barrel dish. You can also use air fryer parchment paper or aluminum foil. If you choose to use aluminum foil as the base, be sure not to completely cover the bottom vent and restrict airflow.

Is this curry spicy?

I don’t like too much spice, and this recipe is just right for me! If you are worried about the spice level, feel free to add less chili powder.

If you want hot curry, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced chillies for additional spice!

How do you reheat leftovers?

Storage:

• Refrigerate: Let the curry cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Place cooled curry in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat:

• Air Fryer: Place the curry in an oven-safe dish. Heat at 350°F/175°C for 5–7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of water or broth if needed.

Final Thoughts

This air fryer chicken curry is quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors. The air fryer keeps the chicken tender while locking in all the rich, aromatic spices. Plus, with minimal cleanup and a simple process, it’s perfect for any skill level. Whether you’re new to curry or a longtime fan, this recipe makes it easy to enjoy a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Air-fried chicken curry is a delicious and exciting way to improve your air-frying skills. If you want to use more of your air-frying accessory tools, this recipe is a must! I’d love to hear how it turned out for you—drop a comment below and let me know!

More fun air fryer recipes to try

• Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
• Air Fryer Enchiladas
• Greek Chicken Souvlaki in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Avocado Egg Roll

Not sure how to use an air fryer? I’ve got you!

• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• the Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• Common Air Fryer Mistakes!

Watch me make other delicious air fryer recipes on YouTube!

Air Fryer Chicken Curry

Chicken curry in the air fryer is a fun and tasty recipe that will surprise you!

4.60 / 5 ( 55 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Serves: 2

Adjust Servings: 2

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1/2-1 pound chicken cubed
• 2 tomatoes sliced in half
• ½ medium onion sliced or diced
• 1 teaspoon ginger grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon coriander
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika plus a little more for the chicken
• ⅓ teaspoon chili powder
• ⅔ cup heavy cream
• fresh coriander for topping

Instructions

Make the Sauce

• With an air fryer cake barrel or other similar oven-safe dish, place the tomatoes (sliced side up) and onion. Cook at 320°F/160°C for 25 minutes, or until they are soft and charred. 
• Once the tomatoes and onions are cooked, add and mix in the garlic, ginger, butter, curry powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 5 minutes in the air fryer. 
• Puree everything with the heavy cream using an immersion blender or food processor. Cover and set aside.

Cook the Chicken

• Place the cubed chicken in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Cook in the air fryer at 380°F/190°C for 5-8 minutes, or until cooked through. (The chicken will be done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C with an instant read food thermometer).

Combine & Enjoy

• Once the chicken is finished, combine it with the sauce. Warm up the sauce by placing the curry in the air fryer basket and cooking for a final 3-5 minutes.
• Enjoy this recipe with rice and/or naan. Top with the fresh coriander.

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 44g | Sodium: 132mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g