Delia Smith Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

This leftover chicken curry turns Sunday’s roast chicken into a mild, fruity Monday night dinner with apricot jam, mango chutney, sultanas, and toasted almonds. The flour-thickened sauce simmers for 30 minutes before the cooked chicken goes in, so the meat stays tender. Serves 4 in about 55 minutes.

I make this almost every Monday after a roast. It is one of those recipes that makes you feel clever for planning ahead, and the fruity sauce tastes far better than any leftover meal has a right to.

Leftover Chicken Curry Ingredients

The Meat:

• 450g (1 lb) cooked chicken (or turkey), cut into bite-sized pieces

The Curry Base:

• 1 tbsp oil (or dripping)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp medium curry powder (or paste)
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or fresh grated)
• 1 tbsp plain flour

The Sauce & Fruit:

• 425ml (15 fl oz) chicken stock
• 1 tbsp mango chutney
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp apricot jam
• 50g (2 oz) dried apricots, soaked and chopped (optional)
• 25g (1 oz) sultanas

The Finish:

• Salt and freshly milled black pepper
• Toasted flaked almonds (for garnish)

How To Make Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

1. Fry the onion: Heat the oil in a large saucepan or deep frying pan. Add the chopped onion and fry gently for 5–8 minutes until soft and golden brown.
2. Cook the spices: Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, ginger, and flour. Cook over low heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste and release the spice oils.
3. Make the sauce: Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring all the time to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer. It should thicken slightly.
4. Add the fruit and chutney: Stir in the mango chutney, lemon juice, apricot jam, dried apricots, and sultanas. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer: Cover the pan and simmer the sauce gently for 20–30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop and the dried fruit to plump up.
6. Add the chicken: Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce. Stir well to coat. Simmer gently for another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is piping hot all the way through. (Do not boil vigorously or the chicken will toughen).
7. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning (add more lemon or chutney if needed). Sprinkle with toasted flaked almonds and serve immediately.

What Is the Secret to a Great Leftover Chicken Curry?

The single most important thing is timing. The sauce needs 20–30 minutes of gentle simmering so the dried fruit plumps up and the spices mellow, but the cooked chicken only needs 10–15 minutes to heat through. If you add the chicken too early, it will turn stringy and dry.

Stock quality matters more than you might think. A good chicken stock, or leftover gravy thinned with a splash of water, gives the sauce its savoury backbone. A weak stock cube will leave the curry tasting flat.

The apricot jam is not just sweetness — it gives the sauce a glossy, almost lacquered finish that coats the chicken beautifully. If you prefer more heat, try a Madras powder in place of medium, or add a pinch of cayenne at the end. For families, a mild Korma blend keeps things gentle.

What Should You Serve on the Side?

A mound of fluffy basmati rice is the natural partner — the fruity sauce soaks into it perfectly. For a cooling contrast, a spoonful of raita (yoghurt and cucumber) balances the warmth of the spices nicely.

Poppadoms and naan bread are both welcome here, especially for scooping up the last of the sauce.

If you are looking for another chicken dish to serve alongside, a chicken tagine or a chicken tray bake would make a great spread.

Does This Reheat Well?

It reheats nicely in a saucepan over medium heat, just add a splash of water because the sauce thickens as it cools. Make sure the chicken is piping hot all the way through before serving. It keeps in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

You can freeze this curry, but bear in mind the chicken will have been cooked twice already (once as a roast, once in the curry). A third reheat from frozen is safe, but the texture can go a bit dry. For the best results, eat it fresh or within a day.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 30g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving.

FAQs

For a cold option, the coronation chicken uses a similar leftover chicken base with a creamy spiced sauce.