Back to Recipes
Cape Malay Chicken Curry

South African

Cape Malay Chicken Curry

A fragrant, mildly sweet Cape Malay curry with apricot jam and warming spices.

~80 mintotal~524 kcalper serving~57g protein~29g carbs~21g fat

Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 5.

Ingredients

  • 1kg chicken pieces (bone-in)
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, cubed
  • 2 tbsp Cape Malay curry powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tbsp apricot jam or chutney
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt & pepper
  • 2 tbsp oil

Cooking Steps

  1. Heat oil. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until golden.

  2. Stir in curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon stick. Toast for 1 minute.

  3. Brown chicken pieces lightly.

  4. Stir in chopped tomatoes, potatoes, bay leaf, and chutney. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Simmer gently for 40–50 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thick.

  6. Serve with rice, roti, or samp.

Optional Enhancements

  • Substitute chicken with butternut and chickpeas
  • Add coconut milk for a creamier finish
  • Add raisins for traditional sweetness
  • Add fresh coriander before serving

Plant & Growing Tips

  • Tomatoes: Require warm soil and full sun; water deeply; support with stakes
  • Potatoes: Plant seed potatoes in early spring; hill soil as they grow
  • Onions: Plant sets early spring or autumn; full sun
  • Garlic: Plant late autumn/winter; mulch well
  • Bay: Thrives in sunny sheltered areas; Coriander: Best in cool weather and partial shade

Natural Pest Control

  • Basil repels flies and improves tomato health
  • Plant marigolds to deter nematodes
  • Neem spray helps with whiteflies and beetles
  • Encourage ladybirds for aphid control

Harvest

  • Tomatoes: Pick bright red and fragrant
  • Potatoes: Harvest once foliage dies back; cure 1–2 weeks
  • Onions & Garlic: Harvest when tops flop over; dry thoroughly
  • Coriander: Cut leaves young before bolting

Storing & Freezing

Keeps 3–4 days refrigerated. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

More recipes

See all ›
50 minSouth AfricanBoerewors with Tomato Relish~522 kcal~30g proteinSouth AfricanSweet Potato Mash with Chilli Butter~294 kcal~6g protein45 minSouth AfricanBeef Sosaties~441 kcal~46g protein40 minSouth AfricanGrilled Snoek with Apricot GlazeRecipe70 minSouth AfricanButternut Soup~266 kcal~3g protein75 minSouth AfricanPeri-Peri Chicken & Rice Prep Boxes~330 kcal~31g protein75 minSouth AfricanBobotie~566 kcal~42g protein15 minSouth AfricanGreen Bean Salad with Garlic Dressing~168 kcal~3g protein45 minSouth AfricanBeetroot Salad~108 kcal~2g protein130 minSouth AfricanSamp & Beans (Umngqusho)~352 kcal~13g protein40 minSouth AfricanHoney-Roasted Butternut & Chickpea Bowl~424 kcal~15g protein45 minSouth AfricanRooibos-Infused Poached Pears~185 kcal~1g protein

Make this easier with Visionary

Scan any food in secondsPoint your camera at a meal or label and log it. No weighing, no database hunting.The best MyFitnessPal alternativesFive apps compared on tracking, training and coaching, not just calorie counting.Visionary in South AfricaHow Visionary works for South African members, with local food and local routines.