Chicken Curry in Coconut Milk

Written by
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines.
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Petrina Verma Sarkar
Updated 07/02/19
Chicken curry with coconut milk

supercat67/Getty Images
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
783 Calories
46g Fat
29g Carbs
64g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 783
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 46g 59%
Saturated Fat 15g 77%
Cholesterol 190mg 63%
Sodium 296mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Protein 64g
Calcium 133mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This coconut milk chicken curry recipe combines the styles of cooking and ingredients from both India and Malaysia. It is, therefore, technically speaking, a fusion recipe.

This recipe can be frozen; just leave out the coconut milk. When ready to eat, thaw, add the coconut milk and stir well. Then heat through and serve with fragrant, long-grained boiled rice like basmati. Add a crunchy salad and you're set.

Try the less well-known-but-delicious Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry. 

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken (cut into 3-inch pieces; on or off the bone, as you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (reduce for less spicy—this quantity makes a medium spicy curry)
  • 2 teaspoons coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel (powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion (ground to a paste in a food processor)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 stick cinnamon (3 centimeters)
  • 2 star anise
  • 4 cloves
  • 15 curry leaves
  • 4 medium potatoes (washed well and cut into quarters; leave the skin on)
  • 2 large tomatoes (chopped fine)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk

Steps to Make It

  1. Put chicken into a large bowl and add the chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, and cardamom powder and mix well till all the pieces are coated. Sprinkle with a little water if the mixture is too dry. Marinate for 30 minutes.

  2. Set up a deep pan on medium heat. Add the cooking oil and allow to heat. When hot, add all the whole spices. Sauté till the spluttering stops, the spices turn slightly darker and begin to release their aromas.

  3. Now add the garlic, ginger, and onion pastes. Sauté for roughly 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

  4. Add the chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, and enough hot water to the pan to just cover the chicken. Bring to a boil and then simmer the heat. Cook like this for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

  5. Taste and season with salt to your preference (to this amount of chicken curry, add roughly a level teaspoon of salt). Cook for 5 more minutes, uncovered.

  6. Add the coconut milk, stir and allow to come to a boil. Turn off heat as soon as this happens.

  7. Spoon into serving bowl and serve with hot plain boiled rice. Layered, flaky lachcha parathas also taste divine with this curry.