This quick and easy coconut chicken curry features colorful veggies and coconut milk for a creamy curry that’s packed with flavor. Pair with brown rice or cauliflower rice for a fast weeknight dinner!
Hi there and happy new week!
Did you have a fun weekend? Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
We were at a party all afternoon with some friends - the husband brews beer and made some reuben fixings, the wife recently had their first baby that we got to visit (he's named Brewer - how cute is that?!) and we all hung out and let the kids run around while we chatted. Super fun!
Sunday was a clean-out-the-garage and run errands and do laundry type of morning, but then we kicked back in the afternoon to watch basketball. March Madness is always fun for that!
Today’s 20-minute coconut chicken curry recipe is a slightly different spin on my quick chicken curry, which is one of our favorites!
I use coconut oil and canned coconut milk to make a creamy version of curry, instead of a tomato-based one.
And I use a red bell pepper and green peas to add some veggies and freshness to this. We usually serve it over steamed brown rice for a full meal but you could also sub cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Tons of flavor in every bite! Plus, it’s beautiful to behold and so simple and fast to make. (It's also a one-pan recipe.)
Weeknight dinner winning right here!
(Though it’s such a lovely dish and so very tasty, I would absolutely serve this to company.)
Another weeknight favorite you might want to check out is this quick and easy chicken lo mein. No takeout needed!
OK, I’ve got some notes and substitutions coming up on how to make coconut chicken curry. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Notes on quick and easy coconut chicken curry:
- I love serving this with peanuts and cilantro for great texture and a pop of freshness. You could omit the nuts or substitute cashews and use parsley, if desired.
- I usually serve this over steamed brown rice, but basmati rice would be great too (and we love the brown basmati rice). Or use cauliflower rice for more veggies and a low-carb dinner!
- You could spice this up by adding some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper with the other spices or by serving it with some sriracha sauce drizzled on top.
- Not a fan of peas? You can substitute fresh spinach if you’d like. Add it when the chicken is nearly cooked through and stir until it's just wilted.
Hope you have a wonderful week my friends!
And happy cooking!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Check out my other chicken recipes in under 30 minutes or even faster, my chicken recipes in under 15 minutes for more weeknight dinner inspiration. ❤️
20-minute coconut chicken curry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or sub canola oil)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup green peas (thawed, if frozen)
- ¼ cup peanuts, chopped (optional)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (or parsley)
For serving:
- Steamed brown rice or basmati rice or cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and red pepper and sauté until tender, 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and sauté an additional 30 seconds.
- Add chicken and sprinkle the seasonings over the entire pan. Cook chicken 2-3 minute in pan.
- Add coconut milk and ginger and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 6-8 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
- Place cornstarch in a small bowl and add about 3 tablespoons of liquid from the pan. Stir well with a spoon then transfer the mixture to the pan and stir well to help the sauce thicken.
- Stir in the peas and simmer for 1-2 more minutes, until warmed through.
- Serve curry hot over rice and top with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Alida | Simply Delicious
This looks like comfort food perfection!
Kathryn
Thanks! It's great for a quick and cozy meal!
Lindsay Cotter
Love how quick and easy this is! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
Kathryn
Thanks Lindsay! It's definitely a great weeknight dinner option!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I love this! Packed full of amazing flavors!
Kathryn
Thanks Toni! 😊
Dee
Thanks Lindsay, from Dee in Wales, UK
Jaime
This was good, I did have to make some adjustments. It was a bit bland when I followed the recipe exactly, so I doubled the spices and added red pepper flakes for a kick. Next time I don’t think I’ll add the cornstarch, I like Thai curry to be a bit more runny.
Kathryn
Those sound like great additions! And yes, feel free to skip the cornstarch if you want it more liquidy.
Leah
Does this recipe freeze well?
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Leah! Yes, I think this does freeze well. And the sauce helps keep the chicken from seeming dry after you reheat it. (I usually reheat it in a covered skillet over medium low to get it warmed through.) Hope that helps!
Ishwarya
Oh my goodness this is delicious! I had some leftover roast chicken that I wanted to use up so just shredded it and stirred it in near the end (just before the peas)and let it simmer a while to warm and it was so tasty - I can’t wait to make it again!
Kathryn Doherty
Oh I'm so happy to hear you loved this! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊
Terri M.
This sounds really yummy! I’d like to try but only have full fat coconut milk on hand, would that work??
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Terri! I haven't it tried it that way but I would think that should be fine. Would love to hear if you try it!