The year I turned 15, my Mom decided it was time I learnt the basics of cooking – and this Coconut Chicken Curry was not what she had in mind. If nothing else, she figured I could at least make myself breakfast without having to yell for her whenever I was hungry. Starting with the basic rule to making the perfect hard-boiled egg – where the yolk is firm, yet still melts at the touch of your tongue, I gradually moved on to more complicated things, like making perfect plain boiled rice – not mushy, not hard, but just right.
During the years since, I’ve played around with many of Mom’s classic favourites – like this Coconut Chicken Curry. Oer the years, every time I experimented with one of her recipes, trying my best to add my own touch to it, I would keep a note of any changes I made. The next time we spoke, I would tell her of my experiments, only to get more tips on what else could have been altered and in what way. I would then go back into my kitchen and play around some more until I had it perfected to my taste. It would end up tasting nothing like hers, but it wouldn’t be bad either. If I like it enough, I make it a part of my own collection – a stash of my tried and tested favourites that I always turn to when I want to please those I intend to feed.
Over time, many of these recipes have featured over and over again at my dinner parties. Some, for the same group of people who always request it when they come over. With time, I’ve shared many of these with close friends, who succeeded in bribing me enough to persuade me to part with some of my secrets. Likewise, they never fail to let me know when they try it out, and especially when they’ve experimented and made changes to it, only to come up with something better suited to their tastes. As the recipes move around, being part of many alterations and tests, one thing always remains the same. It’s the circle we share, a cult of kinds, membered by those who love nothing more than a plate of good food and won’t stop till they get it. And so, the sisterhood grows.
This Coconut Chicken Curry recipe I’m sharing with you today, is one that I use very often. It’s quick and simple enough to throw together at the drop of a hat, and is always a crowd-pleaser! I love it served alongside some steamed rice, but it’s equally delicious eaten with some bread.
Coconut Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light cooking oil
- 5-6 fresh curry leaves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 1 medium-sized onion finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 3 cups coconut milk
- 3 large boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil and saute garlic and curry leaves for a few seconds till fragrant. Add in onions and fry for a few minutes till tender and lightly browned.
- Add in spices and fry for a few seconds before slowly stirring in the coconut milk. Allow it to come to a boil, and then add in the chicken pieces.
- Season with salt and cook covered for around 15 minutes till chicken is done and completely cooked through. Serve warm
This post was originally published in February 2007 and has been recently updated.
If you enjoyed this recipe, then you will surely love my Quick & Easy Coconut Fish Curry, Coconut Shrimp Curry, and Sweet Potato & Chicken Coconut Curry recipes as well.
Tried this recipe? Leave a Comment and let me know, also Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
This looks divine. I haven’t made a curry in ages. Think its time. Thank you for sharing. 😉
This recipe rocks. Looking forward to trying many more recipes from this site.
i love the combination of chicken curry and coconut milk. i was really happy to find your blog bec even tho’ i am a big fan in vegetarian Indian cuisine, i was looking for an indian blog which also featured some meat-based recipes.yours is a lovely one. best wishes, shayma
I crave curry, but can’t always afford takeout.
This was my first attempt at making it at home, and it was a smashing success!! It’s absolutely delicious.
I didn’t have all the ingredients, so I made do with curry powder and red pepper flakes (instead of the chiles) and it was STILL fantastic. And so easy.
Thank you so much. My husband thanks you, too!
Lovely photo!
Will try the recipe
Have you ever entered any photos for Does MY Blog Look Good In This event? You should! 🙂
I tried this dish and it was delicious. I’ll be writing about it this week. Thanks a lot for the lovely recipe.
This recipe sounds great! Would you reccommend serving it with rice, or just alone, with a veggie (if so, which one) or without?
Was looking for coconut-milk based chicken recipe. Gonna try this today at lunch. Looks yummy! 🙂
Thanks so much for the recipe. It was delicious, and very easy to make.
I added about 3/4 cups of unsweetend coconut flakes (soaked in hot water first to soften it up), and because I did not have curry leaves, I added 1 tbs of curry paste. Sooo tasty!
Thanks again from Canada.
That’s a delicious chicken curry, Meena. With fresh coconut milk, the flavour is absolutely divine!
Ah, this is quite close to the Kerala type of fish curry isn’t it? You fish curry and ginger shrimps are still on my must-try lists!! 🙂 And you are right, we tend to tweak recipes to suit our tastes.:)
I remember your fish curry (still on my to-try list), and now it’s chicken curry. I love curries!
I am so happy to discover your blog. All your posts are so informative and lovely, making me more confident to try out Indian food… Thanks!
Looks delicious. I love curry chicken with coconut milk. Delicious.
I like your prelude to this recipe. It’s funny how people love food and teak this and that and make their own classic recipes that are perfect for their palette.
Take care,
Monika
Nice and delicious looking curry…..
and just as nice story…..
Meena 🙂 This is not just comfort food for me, its convenient food hehe..every other night when I’m home late from work, this is all I can think of, oh..curry..one big bowl with hot steamy rice, I don’t care whatever weather, season or mood I’m in, I just go curry !! Thanks for the wonderful story, cheers! 🙂
15, eh? Think I’ve started too early? She’s 8 and has been getting her own breakfast – warm milk + cereal and/or toast – since …gosh! I can’t remember! I had a really tough time when I switched to organic milk delivered in glass bottles recently. They were heavy and too cold for her. So I found another dairy that delivered organic milk in half-gallon plastic bottles. Phew! And, steamed rice is her task. She used to make tea when we used the Coffeemaker to make tea (coffee filters + loose tea) but now since I use a teapot and it involves pouring boiling water from an electric kettle into the teapot, she no longer makes tea. But she does get the water going for the tea!
Is this chicken curry a Malaysian curry? Sounds delicious!
A great, simple, classic south Indian curry that cries out – if I ain’t bust, don’t fix me! Regional food at its best.
I agree, definitely comfort food! Who can beat a rich warming curry with the creamy overtones of coconut milk? Mmmmmmm lovely!!