Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (2024)

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Nancy Lopez-McHugh

Nancy Lopez-McHugh

Author of two books, freelance writer, and photographer. She runs the popular blogs Spicie Foodie and Mexican Made Meatless.

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Updated on 06/29/22

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Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (1)

Vietnamese curries are not as well known as Indian or Thai curries, but they are just as flavorful and bold in flavor. More of a stew than the curries you might have tried, Vietnamese curries stand out from similar preparations in India or Thailand due to the pronounced coconut flavor and generous use of fish sauce, a common ingredient in many Vietnamese recipes. In our version for cà rigà, or chicken curry, coconut milk gives the curry a mild sweetness and a luxurious creaminess. Chunks of russet potato, sweet potato, and carrot add texture and bulk to make this curry filling and satisfying.

In Vietnamese cuisine, careful design and balance of flavors and ingredients were already key before it was heavily influenced by the French presence in the country starting in the late 19th century when France took over Vietnam and Cambodia. The French heritage that was left behind after 1954 is clearly seen in today's Vietnam and its mixed culinary traditions. Potatoes, onions, coffee, varied pastries and desserts, broths, and stocks are only a small part of what the French left behind in local kitchens. That's why, when eating curry in Vietnam, the only possible side dish you can think of is a slice, or many, of Vietnamese baguette—instead of rice like in Thailand or flatbread like in India.

Serve this succulent curry with crusty bread, or if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, a true Vietnamese baguette.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken, dark and white meat

  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning the chicken

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 large onion, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 2 large shallots, finely chopped

  • 4 large cloves garlic, finely minced

  • 1 (3-inch) piece ginger, peeled and finely minced

  • 3 tablespoons Vietnamese or Madras curry powder

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, divided

  • 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised

  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce

  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 can coconut milk

  • 6 small russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into thick even slices

  • 8 medium carrots, peeled and cut into thick even slices

  • 2 cups whole milk

  • Baguette, or cooked rice noodles, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (2)

  2. Cut the chicken into bite-size portions. Season each piece of chicken with a little salt and ground black pepper and set aside.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (3)

  3. Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot. Add the onion and shallots and sauté until they are soft and translucent.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (4)

  4. Push the chopped onion and shallots to the side and add the chicken pieces, cooking the meat until it begins to brown.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (5)

  5. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and half of the sugar. Stir well.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (6)

  6. Add the lemongrass, fish sauce, chicken broth, and coconut milk. Turn the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (7)

  7. Add the potatoes, sweet potato, and carrots. Stir well,cover, and allow to simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (8)

  8. Pour in the whole milk and simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes. Before serving, taste the broth and, if needed, add more curry powder, salt and/or pepper.Remove the lemongrass stalk and discard. Serve to your liking over the optional cooked rice noodles and/or baguette slices.

    Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (9)

  9. Enjoy!

Customize Your Curry

Our recipe has a lot of room to please all palate preferences:

  • For a more coconutty flavor, replace 1 cup of whole milk with 1 cup of full-fat count coconut milk.
  • For a bolder flavor, add 1 additional tablespoon of curry powder.
  • If lacking salt, add fish sauce, 1 teaspoon at a time, and taste test again.
  • If you like spice, try adding 1 teaspoon of red chile flakes.
  • If too salty, add the juice of half a lime. Taste test, and if needed, add 1 additional teaspoon of sugar.
  • If you'd like a thicker sauce, allow the liquid to evaporate further. To naturally thicken the curry, blend 1 cup of the cooked russet potatoes with some of the liquid. Pour it back in the pot and mix well.

What does bruising mean in cooking?

In culinary terms, bruising means to partially crush an ingredient to release its flavor and fragrance. A knife, rolling pin, or pestle can help you bruise certain items like citrus peels, spices, and lemongrass.

To bruise your lemongrass, discard the harder parts of both ends of the stalk, peel a couple of the thicker outer layers, and with the help of the back of a knife, a pestle, or a kitchen mallet, lightly pound the stalk until softer.

French Baguette

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
994Calories
53g Fat
64g Carbs
68g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories994
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 53g68%
Saturated Fat 23g115%
Cholesterol 221mg74%
Sodium 1148mg50%
Total Carbohydrate 64g23%
Dietary Fiber 9g30%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 68g
Vitamin C 25mg124%
Calcium 245mg19%
Iron 11mg62%
Potassium 2237mg48%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Potato
  • dinner
  • asian
  • fall

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Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà) (2024)

FAQs

What makes Vietnamese curry different? ›

Vietnamese curry relies on pre-made curry powder or curry oil, while Thai curry utilizes fresh or dried curry pastes made from a combination of ingredients like chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, and shrimp paste.

Why do you put coconut milk in 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.

Where did Vietnamese curry come from? ›

Curry traveled Vietnam from India. (Cà ri is Vietnamese for curry, and gà means chicken.) Over time, cooks in Vietnam adapted the dish to use local ingredients and to suit local palates, such as adding fish sauce, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaf.

How long is coconut chicken curry good for? ›

Curry should be safely sealed in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3 days. If you want this curry to last, my advice is to freeze it. Ensure that it is fully cooled before sealing and use a shallow container to ensure even freezing. Stir well while reheating.

Is Vietnamese yellow curry healthy? ›

It has coconut milk which is good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also easy on the stomach and digestive system. It assists in weight loss. Vietnamese Yellow Chicken Curry is from Vietnam but now liked by people of different regions and nationalities.

How is Vietnamese food different than Chinese? ›

One of the most notable differences between Vietnamese and Chinese food is how meat is used. In China, meat is often stir-fried with vegetables or served as part of a soup or stew. In Vietnam, however, the heart is more likely to be grilled or served as part of a salad.

Why isn't Vietnamese food spicy? ›

Vietnam's cooking has always relied on what was available in geography and spices were not accessible in this part of the world for a very long time. Spices like chili powders were added much, much later. This is all why the 'spices' used are mainly all herbs.

What is the oldest curry in the world? ›

We were shocked, too, when we saw Chef Kunal Kapoor's video on the theme in which he informed that through a method called starch analysis, archaeologists identified the world's first-known or oldest curry — baingan curry — made up of aubergine, ginger and turmeric from the shard of a bulbous handi (pot).

Is curry popular in Vietnam? ›

Curry in Vietnam has become a beloved dish, adapted with a few flavor modifications to suit local tastes. However, the central ingredient in this dish remains a mixture of garam masala spices including cloves, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and red pepper.

Is coconut curry healthy? ›

Creamy coconut milk tames the heat and makes curry sauces extra yummy over brown rice or sopped up with bread. Healthy. This vegetarian coconut curry is packed with vegetables, plant-based protein, and is even dairy free (so yes, it's vegan!).

How to thicken coconut curry? ›

Cornstarch slurry:

To create a slurry, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Add the slurry to your curry and bring it to a simmer. Keep in mind that cornstarch should be added towards the end of cooking, as overcooking can cause the sauce to thin again.

Can I use coconut cream instead of 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.

What makes Vietnamese cuisine different? ›

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its balance of flavors, vibrant colors, and emphasis on fresh, aromatic ingredients. Rooted in a deep cultural history, Vietnamese food reflects the country's agricultural abundance and the influence of various civilizations over the centuries.

What makes panang curry different? ›

While it has similar ingredients, Panang curry is a bit stronger, richer, sweeter and thicker than Red Curry, as well as slightly nutty thanks to the addition of ground peanuts in the paste. The curry paste is a quick 30 second stick blender blitz!

What is the difference between Thai and Vietnamese cooking? ›

The Vietnamese cooking process consists of boiling, steaming, deep-frying, and stir-frying. Thai dishes use more base ingredients. There is a large emphasis on the use of coconut milk and shrimp paste. The Thai cooking process is usually achieved through stir-frying, grilling, tossing, and deep-frying.

Why is Vietnamese food not spicy? ›

In northern Vietnam, a colder climate limits the production and availability of spices. As a result, the foods there are often less spicy than those in other regions. Black pepper is used in place of chilies as the most popular ingredient to produce spicy flavors.

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