There seems to be a small crisis going on around cooking gas these days. Cylinders are delayed, supplies are uncertain, and many kitchens are feeling the pressure.

But instead of getting panicked, let’s think a little differently. A kitchen is always full of possibilities. With a bit of creativity, we can still keep our taste buds happy.

Today I will show you a very simple way to prepare Bengali Chicken Curry using a microwave oven. The recipe is easy, practical, and surprisingly delicious. Students and singles can try this to save time. If you love traditional Bengali flavours but want a quicker cooking method, this will work perfectly.

Let’s begin.

You will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Bengali Chicken Curry

• Chicken – 750 gm
  
• Potatoes – 2 large
  
• Onions – 2 large
  
• Garlic – 3 cloves
  
• Ginger – half inch piece
  
• Yoghurt – 3 tablespoons
  
• Tomatoes – 2 medium
  
• Black cardamom – 1
  
• Green cardamom – 3
  
• Cinnamon – 1 inch stick
  
• Mace – a small piece
  
• Cumin powder – 2 tablespoons
  
• Turmeric powder – 1 tablespoon
  
• Salt – as per taste
  
• Sugar – a small amount to balance the salt
  
• Mustard oil – 4 tablespoons
  
• Ghee – 1 tablespoon
  
• Garam masala – 1 tablespoon
  

These are very common ingredients in a Bengali kitchen. If you cook Indian food regularly, most of them are probably already in your pantry.

Preparation

Now comes the interesting part.

Should I call this a recipe or simply a marination process? Because the preparation is almost effortless.

Take a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken pieces and chopped potatoes into it.

Now place the onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, yoghurt, spices, mustard oil, salt, and sugar into the bowl as well.

The only ingredients you should not add now are ghee and garam masala. These will be added later.

Mix everything properly. Make sure the chicken pieces are well coated with the spices and yoghurt.

I personally prefer using a square baking tray for this recipe. It spreads the ingredients nicely and helps the curry cook evenly. However, you can also use a round-bottom microwave-safe bowl. Both work perfectly fine.

Once everything is mixed properly, keep the bowl aside for one hour. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavours of the spices.

During this resting time, the magic of marination begins.

Cooking in the Microwave

After one hour, it is time to cook.

Open the door of your microwave oven and carefully place the bowl inside.

Set the microwave to Microwave Mode and cook for 20 minutes.

During this time, the chicken, potatoes, yoghurt, and spices slowly blend together. The aroma that starts filling the kitchen will tell you something good is happening inside the oven.

After 20 minutes, open the microwave carefully.

Take a fork and gently check whether the chicken and potatoes are properly cooked. If they are still a little firm, simply microwave for another 10 minutes.

Once the chicken and potatoes are fully cooked, add the ghee and garam masala.

At this moment, you can add a cup of hot water if you want more curry.

These two ingredients are important because they add the final layer of fragrance and richness to the curry.

After adding them, microwave the dish again for 5 more minutes.

When the cooking is complete, do not remove the bowl immediately. Instead, leave it inside the microwave for 10 minutes without switching it on.

This resting time allows the gravy to settle and the spices to blend beautifully.

Your Bengali Chicken Curry is Ready

After the final resting period, carefully take the bowl out.

What you will see is a rich, aromatic Bengali-style chicken curry, cooked entirely in a microwave oven.

The potatoes will be soft.
The chicken will be tender.
And the gravy will carry the deep flavour of mustard oil, yoghurt, and warm spices.

Serve it hot with steamed rice. You can also enjoy it with roti or paratha.

A simple dish, cooked with minimal effort, yet full of comfort.

Sometimes the best recipes are born from necessity.

A Few Important Cautions

Before you start cooking, please remember two small but important precautions.

1. Place the bowl on a dry wooden surface

Once the cooking is done, never place the hot bowl directly on a wet or cold surface. Always keep it on a dry wooden board or wooden table. If the surface is wet, the bowl may crack immediately.

2. Use kitchen gloves

The bowl will be extremely hot when it comes out of the microwave. Always use kitchen gloves or thick cloth to handle it safely.

A little care in the kitchen always goes a long way.

Cooking is not just about ingredients or equipment. It is about adapting, experimenting, and enjoying the process.

Even during small inconveniences like a cooking gas shortage, your kitchen can still produce something delicious.

And who knows? This microwave Bengali chicken curry might even become one of your favourite quick recipes.

Happy cooking!