Chicken Curry

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This Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry is a mild, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. The tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich coconut sauce, spiced just right with curry powder, create a comforting and aromatic experience. The peas add a pop of sweetness and vibrant color to the dish, making it as beautiful as it is delicious.

This curry is ideal for those looking for a quick yet satisfying meal. Serve it over rice or with some naan to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce. Whether you’re cooking for the family or just for yourself, this curry will impress with its simplicity and depth of flavor.

Full Recipe:

1.5 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola)

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ginger, grated
1/2 onion, finely chopped

500g (1 lb) chicken thighs, sliced
2.5 tbsp curry powder
270 ml (1.25 cups) coconut milk, full fat

1.5 cups (375 ml) chicken stock (low sodium)
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup frozen peas

1/4 cup coriander (cilantro) leaves, chopped

Directions:

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, ginger, and onion for 3 minutes until onion becomes translucent.

Add the chicken and cook until it turns from pink to white.
Stir in the curry powder and cook for another 2 minutes, ensuring the spices release their aroma.
Pour in the coconut milk and chicken stock, stir, and reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer rapidly for 10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens.

Add the peas and salt, cook for an additional 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve over rice or noodles.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 383 kcal | Servings: 4

Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry: A Simple yet Delicious Meal

Chicken curry is a dish that is known and loved worldwide, but the variations that exist are just as diverse as the regions from which they originate. This specific version, Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry with Peas, is a delightful fusion of flavors, offering a perfect balance between richness, spice, and subtle sweetness. It’s a recipe that proves you can create a wonderfully flavorful dish using a short list of ingredients, all while keeping the preparation time to a minimum. Let’s dive into what makes this chicken curry so special and why it’s a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire.

A Quick Introduction to Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a versatile dish that has its roots in various cultures, from Indian and Thai cuisines to Caribbean and even British interpretations. What makes this particular Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry unique is its simplicity and the use of everyday ingredients. It’s not a traditional curry per se, but it draws inspiration from Western-style curries, which tend to be milder, creamier, and quicker to prepare than their more traditional counterparts.

In this version, curry powder is the star spice, offering warmth and depth, while the coconut milk adds creaminess without making the dish too heavy. It’s a dish that can be easily adapted to suit individual preferences, making it both approachable and customizable.

What Makes This Chicken Curry Special?

Simplicity Without Sacrificing Flavor: This chicken curry is made with only a handful of ingredients, yet it delivers a complex, delicious taste. The key to its depth of flavor is the fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger, and onion, combined with curry powder, which provides all the necessary spice. Coconut milk adds a luxurious creaminess, making the dish rich and comforting.
Family-Friendly: This curry is mild, making it a great option for family dinners. The subtle spice allows even younger family members to enjoy the dish without it being overwhelmingly hot. However, for those who like it spicy, adding a touch of cayenne or using a hot curry powder is an easy way to increase the heat.
Quick to Prepare: With a prep and cooking time of just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a one-pan dish, which means less cleanup, and the cooking process is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for beginner cooks or anyone looking to whip up a satisfying meal quickly.

Adaptability: This chicken curry is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap the chicken for other proteins such as shrimp, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Additionally, you can throw in extra vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers to make it even more nutritious and filling.
A Rich Coconut Base: One of the standout elements of this dish is the use of coconut milk. Coconut milk is often used in both Indian and Thai curries for its creamy texture and slight sweetness, and it shines in this recipe. It adds a rich mouthfeel without making the dish feel too heavy, and it complements the mild heat from the curry powder beautifully.
Perfect for Leftovers: This chicken curry reheats beautifully, which means it’s ideal for meal prepping. The flavors continue to meld together after sitting in the fridge, making it even tastier the next day. It also freezes well, so you can easily double the batch and have a ready-made meal for another time.

Health Benefits of the Ingredients

Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth. Unlike chicken breasts, thighs remain juicy and tender even after simmering, which makes them perfect for curry dishes. Additionally, they are slightly higher in fat, which contributes to their rich flavor.
Coconut Milk: Coconut milk contains healthy fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are known to be easily digestible and provide a quick source of energy. These fats are also thought to have various health benefits, including supporting heart health and improving brain function. Coconut milk also adds a luscious texture to the curry without relying on dairy.
Curry Powder: The blend of spices in curry powder typically includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek, among others. Turmeric is especially well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties due to the compound curcumin, while cumin aids in digestion and provides a warm, earthy flavor.

Garlic and Ginger: These two ingredients are not just flavor powerhouses, but they also come with numerous health benefits. Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties, while ginger aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory effects. Together, they provide a fragrant base for the curry, enhancing its flavor and nutritional value.
Peas: Adding peas to the curry provides a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the coconut milk and the heat of the curry powder. Peas are also a great source of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins like vitamin K, which supports bone health.

Customizing Your Chicken Curry

One of the best aspects of this chicken curry is its adaptability. While the recipe is delicious as-is, there are countless ways to tweak it based on your preferences:

Make it Spicier: If you love heat, you can easily turn this into a spicy curry by using hot curry powder or adding a pinch of cayenne or red chili flakes. Alternatively, fresh chili peppers can be sautéed with the garlic and ginger for an extra kick.
Swap the Protein: While chicken thighs work best in this recipe because of their tenderness, you can use chicken breast, shrimp, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Each protein will slightly alter the cooking time, but the process remains largely the same.
Add More Vegetables: This curry is a great way to incorporate more veggies into your diet. You can add carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, or even spinach to boost the nutritional content and make it a more substantial meal. For a heartier dish, you can add potatoes or sweet potatoes, which will also help thicken the sauce.

Use Coconut Cream for Richness: If you prefer a richer curry, you can swap the coconut milk for coconut cream. This will give the dish a thicker, creamier texture, though it will also increase the calorie count. To maintain a balance, you can mix half coconut cream and half coconut milk for a lighter, but still creamy, version.

Best Sides for Serving

While this curry can be enjoyed on its own, pairing it with a complementary side elevates the meal to a whole new level. Here are some serving suggestions:

Rice: Basmati or jasmine rice is a classic choice that pairs perfectly with the creamy coconut sauce. The rice soaks up the curry, ensuring that every bite is flavorful.

Naan or Flatbread: Soft, warm naan or flatbread is perfect for dipping into the curry sauce. It’s great for scooping up every bit of the flavorful coconut sauce.
Quinoa: For a healthier alternative to rice, serve this curry over quinoa. It adds a nutty flavor and increases the protein and fiber content of the meal.
Salad: A light side salad, such as a cucumber and tomato salad with a lemon vinaigrette, can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich curry.

Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Meal Rotation

This Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry ticks all the boxes for a great weeknight meal: it’s quick, easy, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful. Whether you’re cooking for your family or preparing meals for the week, this dish is sure to please. It’s also perfect for entertaining guests, as it has a comforting and crowd-pleasing flavor profile without being overly complicated or time-consuming.

Plus, its versatility means that you can make it your own by adding your favorite ingredients or adjusting the spice level to suit your preferences. And because it reheats so well, it’s a fantastic option for leftovers or meal prepping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry with Peas is a must-try recipe that combines convenience with deliciousness. It’s a dish that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create something truly satisfying. The creamy coconut base, combined with the warmth of curry powder and the sweetness of peas, results in a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

This curry’s adaptability makes it ideal for families, individuals, or anyone looking for a quick and tasty dinner solution. So whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, give this curry a try—it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!