Cari Poulet

Name: Cari Poulet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mauritian
Ingredients: 1kg chicken pieces, bone-in; 3 potatoes, peeled and quartered; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 thumb ginger, grated; 10 curry leaves; 2 tbsp curry powder; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp ground cumin; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Salt to taste; 300ml water

Cari Poulet (kah-REE poo-LAY)

Mauritian Chicken Curry

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 450 kcal

A fragrant tomato-based chicken curry with potatoes, curry leaves, and a distinctive Mauritian spice blend, lighter and brighter than Indian curries.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 35.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 22.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

heavy saucepan wooden spoon knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving bowl

Garnishes: fresh coriander, curry leaves

Accompaniments: steamed rice, achards, roti

Ingredients

1kg chicken pieces, bone-in
3 potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb ginger, grated
10 curry leaves
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste
300ml water

Instructions

1
Heat oil and fry curry leaves until fragrant. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, cooking until golden.
2
Add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin. Stir for one minute until spices are toasted and aromatic.
3
Add chicken pieces and sear on all sides for five minutes, coating them well with the spice paste.
4
Add tomatoes, thyme, salt, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for twenty minutes.
5
Add potato quarters and continue simmering for another twenty minutes until chicken and potatoes are tender.
6
Adjust seasoning and serve hot with steamed rice or dholl puri.

💡

Did You Know?

Mauritian curry powder is uniquely blended on the island using a specific ratio of coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and turmeric that differs from any Indian blend.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy saucepan
wooden spoon
knife

Garnishing

fresh coriander, curry leaves

Accompaniments

steamed rice, achards, roti

The Story Behind Cari Poulet

Cari poulet is the everyday curry of Mauritius, a dish that bridges the gap between Indian spice traditions and Creole cooking techniques. Unlike the complex layered curries of India, Mauritian cari is simpler and more tomato-forward, reflecting the French and African influences on the island's cooking. Every household prepares it slightly differently, but the presence of curry leaves and the distinctive local curry powder are constants that make it unmistakably Mauritian.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed everyday lunch and dinner 📜 Origins: 19th century Indo-Creole

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