Chicken and Coconut Milk Curry (2024)

Introduction: Chicken and Coconut Milk Curry

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This chicken and coconut milk curry comes together pretty fast - perfect for a weeknight dinner. I've been messing with this recipe for a little while now, and I finally like it enough to post it!

The coconut milk makes the sauce super creamy, and the spices turn it a really gorgeous color. :D

You can make this chicken curry as mild or spicy as you want, too - it works really well both ways!

Step 1: Ingredients + Prep

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
  • 14.5 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin, ground
  • 1/2 tsp cumin, whole
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • a few teaspoons of chili garlic sauce (or to taste!)
  • 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • pinch of brown sugar
  • juice of half a lime

The first thing you should do is dice the onion finely, mince the garlic and grate the ginger. You'll also want to measure out your spices to save time later :D

This might seem like quite a few ingredients, but many of them are great to have on hand all the time - I normally only have to buy the chicken breasts, stock and lime if I want to make this curry.

You'll also want a nice heavy bottomed pot to cook this in - I'm using this Le Creuset dutch oven.

Step 2: Cook Out the Veg and Spices

Heat 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium low heat. Throw in onions and cook, stirring often until slightly translucent. Then add in the garlic and ginger and cook for about a minute. You don't want any color on these veggies as it will change the flavor quite a bit.

Add in the dry spices and tomato paste and continue to cook. If the mix gets dry and begins to brown a bit, add a little of the chicken stock so you can scrape the bottom of the pan clean and keep cooking for a few more minutes.

You want to cook the spices out really well because otherwise they'll taste raw. I always cook this for 3-5 minutes - it normally looks like a bit of a paste towards the end, as shown above.

Step 3: Making the Sauce

Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

While it's reducing, add in a pinch of salt and some chili garlic sauce.Taste and see if you like it - add in extra of whatever spices you like, but keep the lime out - we'll add it in at the very end!

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Now add in the chicken. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let it go for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Final Seasonings

At this point, you'll probably want to add a little more salt and maybe more chili garlic sauce. I like it to be pretty spicy!

Add the juice of 1/4 lime to start and a pinch of sugar. Taste and add more sugar and lime as necessary - I normally add the whole half a lime and around 1/2-1 tablespoon of brown sugar.

Turn off the heat and serve with naan or rice. I always serve this over cumin rice!

Chicken and Coconut Milk Curry (2024)

FAQs

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.

At what stage do you add coconut milk to a curry? ›

Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

Can I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

Combine It with Curry Spices

Curries are much easier to make than you think; just combine coconut milk with red, green, yellow, or any curry paste or dried curry spice mixes like Madras or garam masala. Then, top vegetables or any meat, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or fish, with the sauce.

Which Indian curry has coconut milk? ›

Chicken Korma Curry (India)

And what's more – they're full of creamy coconut milk! Try your hand at this delicious homemade spice mix, combining ground cashews with ginger, cloves, cumin, coriander, Garam Masala, turmeric, paprika and chilli.

How do Thai restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

Often, Thai curries are made using coconut milk as the main liquid, which results in a creamy consistency. You can use as much or as little coconut milk as you wish based on your preference for texture, spice, and flavor.

Do I really need coconut milk for curry? ›

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

How do I add coconut milk to curry without curdling? ›

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to a dish to prevent curdling of coconut milk. Adding cornstarch will also thicken the sauce, so don't use it if you're making a dish that requires a thin sauce.

How much coconut milk to thicken curry? ›

Make sure to shake the can of coconut milk before opening to ensure it is not separated. Add 1/2 the can to the pot. Bring to boil, reduce temperature and allow the mixture to reduce to almost a paste like texture. This will allow the coconut flavors to intensify, and give you a thicker starting point.

How do you get the coconut milk taste out of curry? ›

How do you reduce coconut milk taste? One of the most popular ways to hide the coconut flavor in your coconut milk is to utilize baking soda. Sometimes the big problem with using coconut milk in a recipe is that it will just be too sweet. This can throw off the balance of a dish and make it turn out a little bit wrong.

Do you stir canned coconut milk? ›

Since it's usually not fully emulsified, you'll want to shake the can vigorously before opening it and adding to recipes. If you forget to shake the can before opening, then give it a good stir with a spoon. You can also scrape off the cream at the top of a can of coconut milk to use in stir-fries or other dishes.

Does Thai curry use coconut milk or coconut cream? ›

Both coconut cream and milk are staples in Thai cuisine, often used as a base for soups and curries. Choosing the right coconut milk can make all the difference to your dish.

Do you cook curry paste or coconut milk first? ›

After the paste is stir-fried for one to two minutes, add your choice of protein and vegetables and stir-fry until they are fully cooked. Add coconut milk, and simmer the curry until it reaches your preferred consistency.

When to add coconut milk to curry? ›

Add the cubed chicken pieces, along with the curry spice, ground ginger and salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Pour in the coconut milk, juice from one lime and simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve it up with some white rice or cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Does chicken tikka masala contain coconut milk? ›

Chicken tikka masala is usually made with heavy cream, but I like to use coconut milk instead; its subtle sweetness works beautifully with the spices in the dish.

Is coconut milk in curry healthy? ›

Coconut milk may benefit health in several ways, such as by stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It can also add flavor to sweet and savory dishes and serve as an alternative to dairy milk.

Will coconut milk cool down a curry? ›

Whether you're making a Thai curry or any other coconut-based curry, the addition of coconut milk or cream can make a significant difference in reducing the spice level. It provides a cooling effect to the palate, making the curry more enjoyable for those who prefer milder flavors.

Will coconut milk thicken a curry? ›

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Why does coconut milk curdle in curry? ›

Coconut milk curdles when cooked too long at high temperatures. Coconut milk is a thick and creamy liquid that's extracted from the pulpy meat of a coconut.

What does coconut milk do to a dish? ›

Coconut milk adds luxurious texture and mild sweetness to a satisfying melange of tender chicken pieces, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots, all seasoned with ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and curry powder.

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