Cari Poulet (Mauritian Chicken Curry)
Local name: Cari poulet
In short: Chicken and potatoes simmered with onion, garlic, ginger, thyme, curry leaves and mild curry spices into a thin, golden sauce for rice. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Cari poulet is the curry most Mauritian families cook on weekends. It is fragrant and herbal rather than heavy: chicken and potatoes simmer with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, a sprig of thyme, curry leaves and a spoonful of mild curry powder, with no cream. The sauce stays thin and golden, made for spooning over rice. A fresh coriander chutney and a plate of dholl or lentils complete the table.
Instructions
- Mix the curry powder and turmeric with 3 tablespoons of water into a smooth paste.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot. Cook the onions with the thyme and curry leaves for 8 minutes, until soft and golden. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
- Stir in the spice paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until the oil separates and the smell is toasty rather than raw.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and turn the pieces in the sauce for 3 minutes.
- Pour in the water, add the salt and chili, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and simmer, partly covered, for 20 minutes more, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F). Stir in the coriander and serve over rice.
Tips
- Cook the curry powder in the oil, or mix it to a paste first. Raw spice stirred straight into liquid tastes dusty.
- Lamb, goat and thick fish steaks work too. Lamb needs about 75 minutes, and fish should go in for only the last 10 minutes.
Questions and answers
What curry powder should I use?
A mild, turmeric-heavy blend. Madras-style powder works, and a pinch of extra ground cumin and coriander gets closer to the Mauritian taste.
Can I freeze cari poulet?
Yes, but the potatoes soften and may crumble slightly. For the best texture, freeze the curry without potatoes and add freshly cooked ones when reheating.
What do you serve with cari poulet?
Steamed rice, dholl (a thin yellow split pea soup), a fresh coriander or tomato chutney and pickled vegetable achard.
How long does it take to make Cari Poulet (Mauritian Chicken Curry)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cari Poulet (Mauritian Chicken Curry)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
