Coconut Chicken Curry

This coconut chicken curry can be made in one pot and is packed with delicious flavors! This curry can be made in 30 minutes or less making it the perfect weeknight dinner.

Pair this coconut curry with rice and/or naan bread. A side of roasted carrots or roasted sweet potatoes would also pair nicely.

When you’re not sure what to make for dinner, this creamy coconut chicken curry always comes through.

It’s fast, flavorful, and healthy! This is one of my husband’s all time favorite meals, and while I tend to prefer veggies over meat (hiiii butternut squash curry), this is one of my favorites as well.

Coconut curry flavor

Today we’re using red curry in this dish alongside yellow curry powder and a good amount of coriander. If you’re wondering what coconut curry tastes like, it’s a bit sweet, but mostly savory with hints of spice from the red curry. Red curry is typically made from crushed red chilies, garlic, lemongrass, shallots, ginger, and fish paste. We amp up those flavors with additional garlic, ginger, and onions.

So as far as spiciness: I would rate this dish as mild, but it does depend on the brand of red curry you use. I’ve found Thai Kitchen is generally quite mild.

Coconut chicken curry flavor FAQs continued…

What makes curry sweet?

• Cooking the onions slowly and for a longer period causes the onions to brown and develop a sweeter flavor 
• Coconut milk makes this curry sweeter than regular cream
• We add a little bit of brown sugar (optional) for sweetness
• Coriander is naturally a sweeter spice. Curry powder tends to be on the sweeter side as well (more on this below)

With all of the various coconut products, it’s hard to know what will work best in your coconut chicken curry. To help, I’m breaking it down below.

Coconut milk vs coconut cream

• Coconut milk has the liquid consistency of cow’s milk. It’s the basis of most Thai curries and is made by simmering 1 part shredded coconut to 1 part water.
• Cream of coconut is a sweetened version of coconut cream. It’s generally used in drinks or desserts. With all the added sugar, it’s not a great substitute for coconut cream.
• Coconut cream has a much thicker and richer consistency than coconut milk. Coconut cream is made from simmering 4 parts shredded coconut to 1 part water.

Can I use coconut cream in curry?

In this coconut chicken curry, we use full fat coconut milk. Lite coconut milk won’t thicken and give you a rich full flavor like regular coconut milk. Cream of coconut is far too sweet and coconut cream tends to be too thick (and overpoweringly coconut flavored) for this coconut chicken curry.

Coconut chicken curry additions

With just a few ingredients, this creamy coconut chicken curry goes from good to WOW. 

Our must have additions: fresh lime juice, finely chopped cilantro (or basil!), a little bit of brown sugar.

Other great additions: chopped peanuts or cashews, fish sauce

Variations

More delicious chicken dinners

• Easy, One Pot Pesto Chicken Tortellini
• Mango Chicken
• Chicken Ramen
• Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Teriyaki Chicken over Coconut Rice

How to make coconut chicken curry:

5 from 1 vote

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Coconut Chicken Curry

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

This coconut chicken curry is packed with delicious flavors and an easy one pot meal. This curry can be made in 30 minutes or less making it the perfect weeknight dinner!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Indian, Thai

Keyword: coconut chicken curry

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Chelsea

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, separated
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (~1/2 cup)
• 3 cloves minced garlic (~1 and 1/2 teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons finely minced ginger (from a 1 and 1/2 inch piece)
• 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
• 3 tablespoons red curry paste (I use Thai Kitchen; reduce or increase as desired for spice levels)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
• 1 can full fat coconut milk (NOT lite)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce, optional
• 1/4 cup cilantro and/or basil, diced
• Serve over/with: cooked basmati rice and naan bread with additional lime wedges
• Optional: chopped peanuts or cashews

Instructions

1. Start by prepping ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and mince the ginger. I peel the ginger with a spoon or vegetable peeler and then finely mince it. Thinly slice the red bell pepper into long vertical strips and then cut those strips in half horizontally.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for 3-5 minutes or until onions are beginning to get golden. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir to coat everything with the oil. Lower the heat to low and add in the curry powder, red curry paste, and coriander. Stir often for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.
   

3. Return the heat to medium high. Add in the remaining 1 tablespoon coconut oil and the red pepper. Stir for 1-2 minutes and then add in the bite-sized pieces of chicken. Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste (I add 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper). Cook, stirring often for about 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is browned on both sides, but not cooked through.

4. Pour in the coconut milk, lime juice, and brown sugar (to taste; I start with just 1 tablespoon). Stir until chicken is cooked through (juices run clear and it is cooked to 165 degrees F) and curry is slightly thickened (Note 1). If desired, stir in the fish sauce.

5. Serve over rice and/or with naan bread. Garnish individual plates with cilantro, basil, and/or crushed peanuts/cashews. Serve additional lime wedges by the side if desired.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: If you want a thicker sauce, you can remove 1-2 tablespoons of the sauce to a small bowl and (with a fork) whisk in 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Whisk this mixture into the curry.