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Easy Chicken Curry Recipe

Easy Chicken Curry Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

  • 5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 can 14 oz coconut milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Juice of half a lime
To Serve:
  • Steamed rice or naan bread
  • Extra lime wedges

Method
 

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and starting to turn golden. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Bloom the spices: Add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne to the pan. Stir everything together and let it cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the spices become very fragrant.
  3. Brown the chicken: Push the aromatics to the side and add the chicken pieces. Let them brown for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. They don't need to be cooked through yet.
  4. Build the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, then pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Add the salt and give everything a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  5. Simmer: Let the curry simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through. If it gets too thick, add a splash more broth.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice or with warm naan bread.

Notes

Chicken Options: Chicken thighs stay juicier, but breast meat works too—just watch it carefully to avoid drying out.
Spice Level: Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preference. Start with less if you're sensitive to heat.
Vegetable Add-Ins: Try adding spinach at the end, or bell peppers, peas, or cauliflower florets when you add the liquids.
Make Ahead: This tastes even better the next day! Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
  • Calories: 385 kcal
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 780mg