Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

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By: Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Full of flavor and easy to make, this coconut curry chicken is the perfect family meal for a busy weeknight schedule!

Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (1)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

It’s naturally dairy free and gluten free. Several years ago, my daughter was eating a dairy free and gluten free diet. Today’s recipe for coconut curry chicken was one that I didn’t have to adapt anything because it is naturally dairy free and gluten free!

The recipe uses coconut milk which is a great substitute for cream or milk in just about any recipe you are trying to make dairy free. You do get a slight coconut flavor from the milk but it is not overpowering.

It’s easy and delicious. You can have dinner ready in about 30 -40 minutes including prep time and cooking time!

It has amazing taste thanks to the curry powder spice, coconut milk, garlic and tomatoes. It smells heavenly while it cooks.

Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (2)

Ingredients Needed

  • Chicken. I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs but you can also use chicken breasts.
  • Tomatoes. Use diced tomatoes, I like the petite diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.
  • Onion. White or yellow onion.
  • Coconut milk. I used regular coconut milk but if you’d like a lighter version, use lite coconut milk. If you want it creamier use coconut cream.
  • Garlic. Fresh, minced garlic.
  • Sugar.
  • Olive Oil. Can also use coconut oil.
  • Curry Powder. We are using yellow curry powder. This is the curry powder that is most frequently found in the spice aisle of your grocery store.
  • Cilantro. For garnish

What is Curry Powder?

Curry powder is an Indian blend of spices which can include Turmeric, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Pepper, Cumin, Turmeric. See recipe below for making your own.

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How to make Coconut Curry Chicken

  • I used boneless skinless chicken thighs but you could also make this with chicken breasts.
  • Cut the chicken up into bite-size pieces and season it with salt and pepper.
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  • Add the curry into hot oil in skillet over medium-high het and cook for a few minutes. Then add the onions and cook until they soften.
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  • Add in the chicken and stir to coat. Cook until chicken is cooked through.
  • Pour in the coconut milk, tomatoes, tomato sauce and sugar.
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  • Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro.
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What to Serve with Coconut Curry Chicken:

  • Brown Rice
  • Rice Pilaf
  • Cashew Rice
  • Naan Bread
  • Roasted Broccoli
  • Cauliflower Rice
  • Basmati Rice
  • Roasted sweet potatoes

Tips and Variations

  • If you want something less sweet, leave the glaze off of the rolls.
  • These orange rolls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. If you need to reheat them see tips below in FAQ.
  • If you prefer, frost them with a cream cheese frosting.
  • Add in some dried cranberries or apricots into the filling for some extra flavor.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long will coconut curry chicken last?

Leftovercoconut curry chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How do you reheat coconut curry chicken?

Oven: Put the chicken to an oven-safe dish. Place in a 250 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Stovetop: Place in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Microwave: Pour into a microwave safe container and heat on high in 30 second increments.

What does curry taste like?

This coconut curry chicken has a slight sweet flavor to it and is delicious! It is not spicy.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

It can be made in the Instant Pot. See the notes section of the recipe card below for instructions.

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Check out more of my favorite chicken recipes:

  • Pumpkin Curry Soup
  • Crockpot Butter Chicken
  • Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
  • Butter Chicken
  • Chicken Paprikish

Be sure and follow me over onYou Tubefor weekly cooking demos.

4.58 from 7 votes

Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (10)

Coconut Curry Chicken

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes

Full of flavor and easy to make. this Thai coconut curry chicken is the perfect family meal for a busy weeknight schedule!

serves: 6 servings

Prep:10 minutes minutes

Cook:35 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. bonless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1/2 inch chuncks
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 14 oz coconut milk canned
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
  • 8 oz tomato sauce canned
  • 2 Tbsp sugar

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces and season chicken with salt and pepper.

  • Heat oil in pan and add in curry powder and cook for 2 minutes.

  • Add in onions and cook until they begin to soften.

  • Add in garlic, cook for 1 minute.

  • Add in chicken and stir to coat with curry mixture. Cook until chicken is cooked through.

  • Pour in coconut milk, tomatoes, sauce and sugar.

  • Simmer for 20 minutes.

Tips & Notes:

Instant Pot Directions:

  • Turn on the Instant Pot on Saute mode. When hot, add oil and curry. Stir together.

  • Add in onions and saute for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and translucent.

  • Stir in garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

  • Add in chicken pieces. Stir and cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes.

  • Add tomatoes and tomato sauce. Turn off the heat.

  • Add 1/2 cup water (this is only for the Instant pot version) and use it to scrape off the brown bits stuck at the bottom. This prevents the ‘burn’ error in the Instant pot.

  • Stir in the coconut milk.

  • Close the lid and set the vent to sealing.

  • Cook the chicken on manual low pressure cook for 5 minutes. Do a 5 minute natural release and then quick release the pressure.

  • If the curry looks too runny after removing the lid, turn Instant Pot to saute and let it simmer for 5 minutes or so.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 345kcal (17%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 25g (50%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) Cholesterol: 108mg (36%) Sodium: 704mg (31%) Potassium: 723mg (21%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 8g (9%) Vitamin A: 292IU (6%) Vitamin C: 11mg (13%) Calcium: 62mg (6%) Iron: 5mg (28%)

* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.

Course:Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine:Indian

Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (11)

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Originally published March 2014

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Denise Wilson says

    What an easy and delicious curry recipe. I used the instant pot directions and served it with riced cauliflower. I will definitely make again! Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Tracy Maulou says

    Tried it and mi family absolutely loves it

    Reply

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Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the secret ingredients to a good curry? ›

Indian chef Maunika Gowardhan suggests using tomato purée, coconut milk or yoghurt as natural thickening agents to achieve the perfect consistency. Adding ground nuts such as almonds or peanuts can also be a great way to ensure your curry is a knockout.

What does coconut milk do to curry? ›

Coconut milk or water both give the dish different tastes and consistency. Coconut milk as a curry sauce base makes the dish creamy, sweet and give it a thicker consistency. The sweetness of the milk reduces the sharpness of spices and heat making the dish a little mild.

When should you add coconut cream to a curry? ›

Coconut cream is usually added at the end of cooking, when other ingredients have already been simmered together. This ensures that the coconut cream doesn't curdle or separate from the rest of the curry.

Which curry tastes of coconut? ›

Korma curries are notoriously popular, and well-suited to practically any hero ingredient, from vegetables, to chicken, to lamb. And what's more – they're full of creamy coconut milk!

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

What is the most important ingredient in curry? ›

❤️💯The key ingredient in most Indian curries is a blend of spices known as "masala" or "curry powder". While the specific blend of spices can vary depending on the region and the dish, typical ingredients include turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.

Is it better to use coconut cream or milk for curry? ›

It is thicker, has a higher fat content and is scoop-able throughout. Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

Should I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

Certainly! Coconut milk curries are rich and flavorful, and they pair well with a variety of side dishes and accompaniments.

What vegetables go in curry? ›

The curry base is made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and garam masala. I prefer to go with potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, corn and bell peppers. Though you can use other veggies like baby corn, sweet potato and broccoli, the curry will have different flavors.

Do you put coconut milk or yogurt in curry? ›

If it's North Indian dish, it's mostly cream in curry and hung yogurt for marination. If it's southern Indian dish, it's either yoghurt. Most of Indian cuisines don't use coconut milk. We use either fresh grated coconut or dried coconut.

Is canned coconut milk the same as coconut cream? ›

Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk

Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.

Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? ›

Can You Replace Coconut Cream with Coconut Milk? The good news about coconut cream and coconut milk is that although they may be different consistencies, they're very similar. You can use coconut cream in place of milk if you dilute it with additional water. Different coconut cream brands vary on fat content.

Why does my coconut curry taste bland? ›

Curries can be bland if you haven't used enough of the base aromatics of garlic, ginger, and onion. The onion should be caramelized in oil until well browned and flavorful. Spices should not be old enough to lose potency and preferably should be toasted and ground yourself.

Why is my coconut curry bitter? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish. You see, the secret to cooking a delicious curry recipe is to create a spicy paste and slowly cook it before adding your meat.

How can I enhance my curry flavor? ›

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

What can I add to curry to make it tastier? ›

Umami is one of the basic five tastes and is often described as a meaty, savoury deliciousness that deepens a dish's flavour. Natural foods that peak umami taste receptors include tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and roasted spice. Add umami ingredients sparingly to your curry dish for a deepened and elevated flavour.

What makes curry better? ›

However, here are some general suggestions to make your curry taste better: Aromatics: Start with a flavorful base of aromatics such as onions, garlic, and ginger. Sautéing these ingredients well can add depth to the overall flavor of your curry. Spices: The right combination of spices is crucial for a delicious curry.

What makes curry taste good? ›

Type of spices: Curries use a wide range of spices, some mild and some, strong. Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, and most red chili pepper even, are mild and used in daily cooking. However, spices like cardamom, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg can be quite strong used sparingly, but to great effect.

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