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

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.

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.

Should coconut milk for curry be sweetened or unsweetened? ›

Follow this tip: Be sure you're buying unsweetened coconut milk. It's already naturally sweet, so you don't need the extra sugar, unless the recipe specifically calls for it.

Does coconut milk thicken chicken curry? ›

Coconut is a great ingredient used for thickening curries. It can be used in any form – milk, cream or grated. This method is most suited for Thai, South Indian and other Asian curries. It not only makes your curry flavorful, but also makes the curry creamier.

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

Tip. 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.

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

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.

Can I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

Southeast Asian cuisine does not use any dairy, so when we need things to be creamy, we turn to coconut milk. So aside from using it in traditional Thai recipes, it is a great way to add creamy texture in anything. Here are some ideas: Soups, stews, curries, sauces, and anything saucy and creamy.

How to make a thick coconut milk 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 long does curry with coconut milk last? ›

Sri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry Storage Instructions

To store, place in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up t 5 months, both held in an airtight container.

How do you make coconut milk more flavorful? ›

But if you don't have one, you can use a dish towel, or in a pinch, use a reusable produce bag! Add fresh fruit to the blender to make fruity flavored coconut milk! Sprinkle in some cocoa powder and a bit of vanilla extract for a healthier chocolate milk. Go seasonal!

Can I drink coconut milk from the can? ›

You can buy coconut milk in a can. If you buy the right brand it has no additives. If you want, you could just drink the coconut milk from the can. It's delicious!

Is light coconut milk just watered down? ›

Although it's not as flavorful as its regular counterpart, you can use it in any recipe that would otherwise call for cow's milk or full-fat coconut milk. But just because a food is low in fat doesn't mean it's healthier. The same goes for this product, which is basically a watered-down version of regular coconut milk.

When should I add coconut milk to my curry? ›

You should fry the paste briefly in the pan until you can smell all the flavours, then add the coconut milk. If you're using chicken or something, fry that in the paste before adding the coconut milk. Then add things like lime leaves or sliced chilli or bamboo shoots while it's simmering.

When to add cream to curry? ›

You make the curry in your skillet and once the curry is ready, you add the chicken and cook it in the curry. Then you add the heavy cream to make it rich and creamy.

How to cool down a curry without yogurt? ›

It's well known that a tablespoon of sugar, palm sugar or honey, can help take the edge off a too-spicy dish. However, by adding something sour – a little lime juice, lemon juice or vinegar you can further balance out the flavours to tame the fire and achieve that legendary mix of flavours.

Can you add coconut milk to hot curry? ›

Coconut milk or cream can be used to balance out the heat in Thai and coconut-based curries. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar can cut through the spiciness and provide a tangy flavor. Yogurt or sour cream can help cool down the heat and add a creamy texture to the curry.

How do you add coconut milk? ›

Substitute coconut milk for dairy milk in your favorite oatmeal, chia pudding, pancake, and waffle recipes. Blend it into smoothie to add a creamy texture or make a coconut milk-based smoothie parfait.

How do you break coconut milk for curry? ›

To make cracked coconut cream, simmer coconut cream over low heat for around ten minutes until the liquid begins to separate into a curdled mass. You will see visible droplets of oil. This is the point at which curry paste is added and fried.

Do you put coconut milk or paste first in Thai curry? ›

Bring the coconut milk to a boil for a couple of minutes, then add and blend the paste. You will see that after 3-5 minutes, the natural coconut oil starts to slit from coconut milk. Continue to fry your paste in this natural oil until you have a smooth thick sauce.

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