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Coconut Curry Chicken

  • Author: Ava Garrison
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian-Inspired

Description

Bold, creamy, and irresistibly aromatic, Coconut Curry Chicken is your go-to answer for an easy dinner that feels gourmet. This easy recipe combines tender chunks of chicken with a rich coconut milk sauce spiced with curry, turmeric, and ginger. Perfect for weeknight meals or food ideas for entertaining guests, it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and loaded with flavor. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, healthy comfort food, or a reliable chicken curry, this dish delivers a winning combination of spice and simplicity. Serve it over rice or scoop it up with warm naan — either way, it’s a guaranteed hit!


Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated or 1 tsp ground ginger

1 tbsp curry powder

1 tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp chili flakes or cayenne pepper (optional)

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk

1/4 cup chicken broth or water

1 tbsp lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Cooked basmati rice or naan for serving


Instructions

1. Chop the chicken, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Shake the coconut milk can.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.

3. Lower heat to medium. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and ginger for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and chili flakes. Toast for 30 seconds to deepen the flavor.

5. Add bell pepper and pour in coconut milk. Stir to combine. Thin with broth if needed.

6. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked and sauce thickens.

7. Stir in lime juice, then top with cilantro. Serve hot with rice or naan and extra lime wedges.


Notes

Full-fat coconut milk gives the richest, creamiest sauce.

Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or carrots for extra nutrients.

Always add lime juice at the end to avoid curdling the coconut milk.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: coconut curry chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken curry, gluten-free curry