Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (2024)

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Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (1)Pin

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk – Learn how to make a basic and easy Indian-style chicken curry with coconut milk and spices. This is a relatively mild chicken curry recipe that’s fabulous because it goes with everything – rice, chapati, pulao, dosa, appam, puttu, etc.

There are so many variations to a coconut milk chicken curry and this is my own. There’s nothing special or majorly different in this recipe than the base of most Indian curries but I do like my chicken curry in a particular way, and this is it.

While generally my Indian non-vegetarian recipes are on the spicier side, both heat-wise and spice-wise, I like to keep coconut based curries on the milder side. That tends to brings out the flavour and sweetness of coconut milk which really should be the star in such recipes. I also like to keep tang to a minimum and so add tomatoes for the colour than for any major flavour.

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You can adapt this chicken curry with coconut milk recipe in many different ways to suit your palates and I have mentioned some variations below, while I explain the flow of how I make it. If you use canned or packaged coconut milk, this is a very easy dish to put together in under 30 mins. Making your own coconut milk will obviously elevate the flavour of the curry but it’s not essential in this dish, in my opinion. Since I like the gravy to be a bit on the thicker side, I used ground poppy seed paste, something that is unavailable in Singapore and so more used and appreciated in Sydney 🙂 TH and I have different choices (he’s a vegetarian) and we rarely comment on each other’s choices but after making this chicken curry, I told him for the first time that I wish he could taste it.

I have a few more chicken recipes in the site and my favourites are dry chilli chicken, Kerala chicken curry, and butter chicken masala. Try them! You can also check out how to make coconut milk at home.

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Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk - Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe

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Chicken curry with coconut milk - An easy, coconut milk chicken curry that comes together in less than 60 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 250 gm of cleaned and cubed chicken pieces
  • 1 cup of sliced onions
  • 2 tbsp of oil I use coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp of cumin powder
  • 2 tsp of coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder
  • 1 " piece of ginger
  • 2 green chillies adjust to taste
  • 2 flakes of garlic
  • A few cubes of ripe tomato
  • 1 tbsp of poppy seeds soaked for 15 mins (see notes)
  • 2 cups of thin coconut milk see notes
  • 1 cup of thick coconut milk
  • A small bunch of chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a wide pan and add the sliced onions. Fry until golden brown

  • Grind the green chillies, garlic, and ginger together coarsely

  • Add the spice powders – chilli, coriander, cumin, and turmeric – to the fried onions. Saute for 20 seconds

  • Now add the ground chilli paste and tomatoes to the above. Fry again for a minute, the mixture will turn fragrant

  • Add the cleaned chicken pieces to this, along with the thin coconut milk + 1 more cup of water. Add salt. Bring this to boil

  • Meanwhile, grind the soaked poppy seeds in 2-3 tbsp water into a smooth paste. I use the same grinder as I used for chilli paste

  • Add poppy seed paste to the curry and when it comes to boil, lower heat and cook closed for 15-20 mins or until the chicken pieces are cooked. The gravy will also thicken a bit

  • On low heat, add the thick coconut milk and mix well

  • Do not boil for too long after the thick coconut milk is added. If you feel the gravy is too watery, boil the curry in an open pan before adding the thick coconut milk

  • Once it’s heated through and just begins to boil, add the chopped coriander leaves, adjust salt, and remove from flame

  • Serve hot!

Step by Step Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe

1. Heat oil in a wide pan and add the sliced onions. Fry until golden brown (they need to brown a bit more than in the picture below).

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2. Grind the green chillies, garlic, and ginger together coarsely.

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3. Add the spice powders – chilli, coriander, cumin, and turmeric – to the fried onions. Saute for 20 seconds.

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (6)Pin

4. Now add the ground chilli paste and tomatoes to the above. Fry again for a minute, the mixture will turn fragrant.

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5. Add the cleaned chicken pieces to this,

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along with the thin coconut milk + 1 more cup of water. Add salt. Bring this to boil.

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6. Meanwhile, grind the soaked poppy seeds in 2-3 tbsp water into a smooth paste. I use the same grinder as I used for chilli paste.

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (10)Pin

Add poppy seed paste to the curry and when it comes to boil, lower heat and cook closed for 15-20 mins or until the chicken pieces are cooked. The gravy will also thicken a bit.

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (11)Pin

7. On low heat, add the thick coconut milk and mix well.

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8. Do not boil for too long after the thick coconut milk is added. If you feel the gravy is too watery, boil the curry in an open pan before adding the thick coconut milk. Once it’s heated through and just begins to boil, add the chopped coriander leaves, adjust salt, and remove from flame.

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (13)Pin

Serve hot!

Variations and Notes:

  1. You can add more tomatoes if you want or omit it completely
  2. If you want a ‘whiter’ curry, omit the chilli powder and increase amount of green chillies, to taste
  3. I use poppy seeds as a gravy thickener. Other options are to use cashew nut paste (soaked cashew nuts ground with water) or more thick coconut milk or coconut cream
  4. You can use curry leaves as garnish instead of coriander leaves but avoid using both
  5. You can try this same recipe with chicken pieces with bone. It’s hard for me to find that kind cleaned and prepared so I always opt for chicken breast. Adjust cooking time according to size of chicken pieces
  6. You can make a vegetarian version of this curry by substituting chicken with soya chunks, potatoes, or a mixture of both. A mix of vegetables may also turn out well
  7. Regarding thin and thick coconut milk – if using canned coconut milk, buy full cream variety (not the low fat or whatever) and for the 2 cups thin milk, dilute with 1:1 water. When you need to add the thick coconut milk, add it as is. Check this post if making coconut milk at home

For chicken curry with coconut milk recipe in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, etc, please use Google translate button in the sidebar.

Easy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Coconut Milk Chicken Curry Recipe - Edible Garden (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.

How to make a thick coconut milk curry? ›

You can use cornstarch or all-purpose flour as a thickening agent. Dissolve some cornstarch or cornflour in a bowl with cold water to make a slurry. Then add the slurry to the coconut milk and boil until it reaches your desired consistency.

Do I really need coconut milk for curry? ›

Coconut is a common ingredient in many curry recipes, but it is not essential. There are many alternative ingredients that can be used to add flavor and thickness to the curry sauce, such as tomatoes, yogurt, or heavy cream.

Do you add water to coconut milk for curry? ›

Step 3Add coconut milk and water and bring to a simmer. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Can I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

If you're a fan of Thai curries or Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, canned coconut milk likely has a permanent spot on your grocery list. A few splashes add a creamy richness and nutty, slightly sweet flavor to everything from soups to desserts.

Is it better to use coconut cream or milk for curry? ›

It is thicker, has a higher fat content and is scoop-able throughout. Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

What vegetables go in curry? ›

The curry base is made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and garam masala. I prefer to go with potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, corn and bell peppers. Though you can use other veggies like baby corn, sweet potato and broccoli, the curry will have different flavors.

How much curry paste do I add to coconut milk? ›

Add 5-6 tbsp red curry paste, sizzle for a few secs, then pour in 800ml coconut milk. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, stir a little and wait for the oil to rise to the surface.

How do you keep coconut milk from curdling in curry? ›

Add an Acid or Base: Sometimes, adding a small amount of acid or base can help stabilize the milk and prevent further curdling.

Do you cook curry paste or coconut milk first? ›

Start with half the coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of paste (remember you can always add more later, but you cannot take out), and the protein you're using. Then finish with the rest of the ingredients (proportions below). Bring to a boil, and then let simmer until protein is cooked through.

Does coconut milk raise cholesterol? ›

Consuming moderate amounts of coconut milk may help lower cholesterol and promote weight loss. The antioxidants it contains may also help protect the body from health issues.

When can you 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.

Do you put coconut milk or yogurt in curry? ›

If it's North Indian dish, it's mostly cream in curry and hung yogurt for marination. If it's southern Indian dish, it's either yoghurt. Most of Indian cuisines don't use coconut milk. We use either fresh grated coconut or dried coconut.

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.

What to do if you put too much coconut milk in curry? ›

If you're looking to reduce the coconut milk taste in a dish, here are a few tips. First, try adding a small amount of another liquid like chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even plain water.

Will coconut milk make curry thicker? ›

Coconut milk or cream:

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.

Does coconut milk make curry milder? ›

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.

Does coconut milk make curry less spicy? ›

Coconut milk or cream

Coconut milk is a vegan option for all curries. You can also try adding a splash of milk, if that's all you have to hand. Milk contains a protein called casein which actually breaks down capsaicin and makes it less spicy – both full-fat and skimmed do the trick nicely.

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

Here's the best way to do it:
  1. Pour in coconut milk after you have sautéed your meat or vegetables.
  2. Turn the heat down to low and do not boil the dish once coconut milk has been added.
  3. Stir the dish constantly while it is cooking to avoid curdling, using a flat, wide spatula. Use the spatula to lift and turn the liquid.

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