Thai-Style Coconut Chicken Curry

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Say goodbye to take-out! This Thai-style coconut chicken curry has shredded chicken, peppers, and peas simmered in a creamy sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Spicy, satisfying, yet surprisingly quick….get your mind out of the gutter, I’m talking about dinner!

Weekdays are tough for most of us when it comes to meal-planning. You’ve put in a long day and in a perfect world after commuting, chauffeuring the kids, and helping with homework, you’re sitting down to a well-balanced meal at the kitchen table to relax and catch up.

It’s rarely a perfect world.

This is a great dinner for those not so perfect nights.

My Thai-style coconut chicken curry is a stick-to-your-ribs bowl of goodness that is just what you’re craving during the week and a cinch to make thanks to prepped chicken (more on that in the tips for success). I serve it over a scoop of jasmine rice and top it with a sprinkling of sliced scallions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a pop of brightness.

And since we’re having one of those not so perfect nights, we’ll grab our bowls from the table, pop open a couple of Stellas, and head into the living room. We’ll skip the daily recap in favor a DVR’d favorite show and settle into a perfectly imperfect night.

Let’s make Thai-Style Coconut Chicken Curry

1. Saute onion, garlic and minced fresh ginger in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven.
2. Stir in the flour, then the curry paste.
3. Whisk in the soy sauce and the sherry.
4. Whisk in the brown sugar, coconut milk, and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Add the shredded chicken and peppers. Simmer, covered for about 15 mins.
6. Uncover, simmer for about 10 more minutes, then stir in the lime juice, zest, and peas. Season to taste.

Tips for success

• I often poach and shred some boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs over the weekend to be used in soups or stews mid-week. This makes quick work of a weeknight meal and really cuts down on the cooking and prep time.
• To Poach Chicken: place chicken in a large pot with aromatics (sliced onion, garlic cloves or herbs – use whatever is handy and in keeping with the flavor profile of the dish you’re going to make), cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Let stand about 15 minutes or until cooked through). Remove the chicken and discard the rest. Allow the chicken to cool slightly and then shred with your hands or two forks. I keep mine for a few days in a large ziploc bag in the refrigerator.
• No time to poach? Grab a roasted chicken from your local market and simply shred the meat.
• Dial up the heat (if you like it hot) by stirring in extra curry paste or mincing a fresh jalapeño and stirring that in with the garlic and ginger.
• Lite coconut milk helps to reduce calories, but won’t skimp on taste.
• Brown jasmine or basmati rice is a great, healthy alternative to white rice.

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Thai-Style Coconut Chicken Curry

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

Say goodbye to take-out! This Thai-style coconut chicken curry has shredded chicken, peppers, and peas simmered in a creamy sauce that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Course: Main Dish, Soups/Stews

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: chicken curry, coconut curry, thai curry

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 381 kcal

Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, poached and shredded*
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh ginger, finely minced
• 3 Tbsp AP flour
• 2 Tbsp green curry paste (usually found in the Asian food section of your market)
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp dry sherry
• 1 1/2 Tbsp light brown sugar
• 13.5 oz unsweetened lite coconut milk (1 can)
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

To Serve

• Cooked jasmine rice
• Sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat.

2. Add the onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and saute for 2 minutes more.

3. Add flour, stirring to combine and cook for a minute, then stir in the curry paste. 

4. Gradually pour in the soy sauce and sherry using a whisk to mix well.

5. Continue to whisk and add in the brown sugar, coconut milk, and stock. Increase the heat to med/high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
   

6. Add the shredded chicken and peppers, season with salt and pepper, then cover and simmer over low heat until peppers soften, about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Remove lid and cook over med/low heat until sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

8. Add cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, peas, and cook 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. Serve over a scoop of rice and sprinkle with scallions, cilantro, and a lime wedge

Recipe Notes

• I often poach and shred some boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs over the weekend to be used in soups or stews mid-week. This makes quick work of a weeknight meal and really cuts down on the cooking and prep time.  
• To Poach Chicken: place chicken in a large pot with aromatics (sliced onion, garlic cloves or herbs - use whatever is handy and in keeping with the flavor profile of the dish you're going to make), cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Let stand about 15 minutes or until cooked through). Remove the chicken and discard the rest. Allow the chicken to cool slightly and then shred with your hands or two forks. I keep mine for a few days in a large ziploc bag in the refrigerator.
• No time to poach? Grab a roasted chicken from your local market and simply shred the meat.
• Dial up the heat (if you like it hot) by stirring in extra curry paste or mincing a fresh jalapeño and stirring that in with the garlic and ginger.
• Lite coconut milk helps to reduce calories, but won't skimp on taste.
• Brown jasmine or basmati rice is a great, healthy alternative to white rice.

Nutrition Facts

Thai-Style Coconut Chicken Curry

Amount Per Serving

Calories 381 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 99mg33%

Sodium 850mg37%

Potassium 856mg24%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 1680IU34%

Vitamin C 78.9mg96%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 1.9mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in October 2015 but was republished with step-by-step photos and tips in November 2018.