This Creamy Chicken Curry is a quick, healthy, and comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with rich, flavorful spices and a luscious creamy sauce, it delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe is not only delicious but also a crowd-pleaser that beats takeout any day — perfect for busy families looking for a wholesome dinner option.
If you’re a fan of slightly spicy Oriental recipes, this chicken coconut curry is the perfect choice for you. It’s bursting with delicious flavors, from tender chicken bites to refreshing coconut milk and fragrant spices.
In just 30 minutes, you can prepare this light and creamy dish in the comfort of your own home, making it a great option for lunch or dinner.
Why settle for restaurant food when you can enjoy the same rich, authentic flavors right in your kitchen?
Give this chicken coconut curry a try and experience the perfect blend of flavors and textures for yourself.
Great served with cauliflower rice or keto buns, this chicken curry is extremely easy to make and perfect for meal prepping on busy days.
- 1 Is Chicken Curry Keto-Friendly?
- 2 Why You’re Going to Love This Chicken Coconut Curry
- 3 Ingredients for Chicken Coconut Curry
- 4 How To Make Chicken Coconut Curry
- 5 Can I Make Coconut Curry in The Instant Pot?
- 6 Tips For Making The Best Chicken Coconut Curry
- 7 Serving Ideas
- 8 Storing Leftovers
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- 11 Chicken Coconut Curry
Is Chicken Curry Keto-Friendly?
The answer depends on the specific curry recipe you’re using. Many traditional curry dishes include high-carb ingredients like potatoes or peas, and some sauces are thickened with cornstarch, which is not keto-friendly and can disrupt ketosis.
However, you can still enjoy a delicious chicken curry on a keto diet by choosing recipes made with naturally low-carb ingredients. This way, you avoid carb-heavy additions but still get that rich, flavorful taste you love. In fact, you might find that keto-friendly chicken curry recipes can be even more satisfying than those from many Indian restaurants.
Why You’re Going to Love This Chicken Coconut Curry
- Super easy to make in just 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights.
- Authentic Indian restaurant flavors without the hassle of dining out.
- Make-ahead friendly — tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld.
- Richly spiced and aromatic, loaded with traditional Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
- No added sugars or carb-heavy thickeners, keeping it keto-friendly and wholesome.
- Creamy and satisfying thanks to coconut milk, providing healthy fats and a luscious texture.
- Versatile meal option that pairs well with cauliflower rice, keto buns, or steamed vegetables.
- Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing, appealing to both keto followers and non-keto eaters alike.
Ingredients for Chicken Coconut Curry
You probably have most of these pantry staples ready to go! Here’s everything you’ll need to make this rich and creamy chicken coconut curry that’s packed with flavor and super simple to prepare:
- Coconut Oil – Used for cooking the onion and chicken. You can substitute with avocado or olive oil if preferred.
- Onion – Finely chopped to cook evenly and add sweetness.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic for a rich, intense flavor.
- Chicken Breast – Fresh or shredded leftover chicken works perfectly.
- Fresh Ginger – Adds a spicy, warm, and slightly peppery note.
- Coriander – Provides a sweet and lemony flavor to brighten the dish.
- Full-Fat Coconut Milk – Use canned for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Curry Powder – Essential for authentic flavor—choose a high-quality blend.
- Salt & Pepper – To taste.
- Spinach Leaves – Adds vibrant color and fresh texture.
- Lime Juice – For a fresh, zesty finish.
- Fresh Cilantro – Chopped, to garnish and enhance the flavor.
How To Make Chicken Coconut Curry
This recipe for chicken coconut curry will become one of your favorite recipes since it’s so easy to make in only 30 minutes. Here is everything you will need to create this delicious recipe:
Begin by sautéing an onion in a large skillet with some coconut oil over medium-high heat until it becomes tender.
Next, add bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for around 10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
Stir in minced garlic and fresh ginger and cook for an additional minute to release their flavors.
Add a can of coconut milk, curry powder, salt, and pepper, and stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Next, toss in a handful of fresh spinach leaves and some lime juice. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes or until the spinach has wilted.
Finally, turn off the heat and garnish with some fresh parsley. Serve alongside your favorite side dish, and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken curry.
Can I Make Coconut Curry in The Instant Pot?
If you want to make this creamy coconut chicken curry in an instant pot, it’s a breeze! First, select the sauté function and add some olive oil to the pot. Sauté the onion and garlic until they become fragrant. Then, add the chicken, curry powder, salt, and pepper, and give it a stir.
Next, pour in the coconut milk, and 1 cup of chicken broth and give everything a good mix. Close the lid and select the manual function on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes before opening the instant pot.
Finally, add in the spinach leaves and lime juice, and stir until the spinach wilts. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite side dish. Remember, you can adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder or red pepper flakes. Enjoy your creamy coconut chicken curry made in an instant pot in no time!
Tips For Making The Best Chicken Coconut Curry
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Avoid overcooking the chicken — cook just until golden brown and cooked through to keep it juicy and tender. Overcooking can make it dry and tough.
- Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more chili powder or red pepper flakes for heat, or reducing them for a milder curry.
- Use fresh ingredients like garlic and ginger for a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
- Sauté the onions slowly until soft and translucent to develop a natural sweetness that balances the spices.
- Simmer the curry gently after adding coconut milk to allow the flavors to meld without curdling the coconut milk.
- Taste and adjust seasoning towards the end, adding salt, pepper, or lime juice to enhance the overall flavor.
- Add fresh spinach near the end to keep it vibrant and retain some texture without wilting too much.
- For extra creaminess, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese or coconut cream just before serving.
- Serve with cauliflower rice or keto-friendly sides to keep the meal low-carb and satisfying.
Serving Ideas
There are many ways to serve creamy coconut chicken curry, depending on your preferences. One popular option is to serve it over a bed of fluffy rice, such as basmati or jasmine rice. You can also opt for cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet.
To add some texture and crunch, you can also sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts on top of the curry before serving. No matter how you choose to serve it, this creamy coconut chicken curry is sure to be a hit at any mealtime!
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge – You can store the chicken curry leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – I don’t recommend freezing this chicken coconut curry because sauces made with coconut cream are not freezing well.
- To Reheat: You can warm the leftovers on the stovetop in a saucepan for about five minutes. You can also microwave them until heated through in a microwave-safe container.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Chicken Curry?
Curry chicken is an Indian dish made from chicken bites sautéed in onion combined with a delicious creamy sauce. The flavor of curry chicken is deep, earthy, and distinctive.
Can I Make This Recipe With Other Type Of Meat?
Sure, this recipe also tastes great if you use chicken thighs. However, make sure you cut them into similar pieces to ensure they are evenly cooked.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Sure, this recipe is great for making ahead of time and enjoying dinner when you are having a busy day. So all you have to do is prepare it as we did in this recipe, then store it in an airtight container until you are ready to serve it.
What Should I Do If My Chicken Curry Is Too Thick?
If your curry sauce is too thick, you can make it thinner by adding some water or coconut cream.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- The BEST Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- The Best Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Chicken Coconut Curry
Description
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion medium, diced small
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless skinless, bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger finely chopped
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- one 13-ounce can of coconut milk
- 1 cup carrots shredded
- 3 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Add the coconut oil to a large skillet and cook the onion over medium-high heat for about 3-5 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is done. Flip and stir often to ensure even cooking.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and coriander, and cook for about one more minute or until fragrant.
- Add the coconut milk, carrots, curry powder, salt, and pepper to combine.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and allow the mixture to boil for about 5 minutes.
- Add the spinach and lime juice, and stir to combine. Cook until spinach is tender, for about 2 minutes.
- Evenly sprinkle with the cilantro and serve immediately with your favorite side dish.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.