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Chicken Coconut Curry

Chicken coconut curry combines a ginger-garlic tomato base with coconut milk and tender thigh pieces. Cumin and coriander provide warm spice, while lime keeps the finished sauce lively. The sauce should be spoonable and savoury, with coconut supporting the curry rather than making it sweet.

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Cuisine: South Asian Prep: 20 Min Cook: 50 Min Total: 70 Min Difficulty: Medium Servings: 4 servings
Chicken Coconut Curry
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Home Cook View

Follow the measured ingredients, numbered method, substitutions, safety notes and cooking mode below.

About This Recipe

Chicken coconut curry combines a ginger-garlic tomato base with coconut milk and tender thigh pieces. Cumin and coriander provide warm spice, while lime keeps the finished sauce lively. The sauce should be spoonable and savoury, with coconut supporting the curry rather than making it sweet.

Before You Start

1. Read firstRead every step once before switching on the cooker.

2. MeasureWeigh and prepare all ingredients in the order listed.

3. Control heatLow means a gentle bubble, medium cooks steadily, and high is for quick browning.

4. Check donenessUse the texture, timing and safe-temperature checks written in the method.

Equipment

  • ✓ Heavy saucepan
  • ✓ Wooden spoon
  • ✓ Food thermometer

Ingredients

Easy Step-by-Step Method

Complete one numbered step before moving to the next. Keep the heat and timing exactly as written.

  1. Soften the onion: Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion for 8–10 minutes until golden at the edges.
  2. Bloom spices: Add ginger and garlic for 1 minute, then cumin, ground coriander, turmeric and chilli for 20 seconds.
  3. Reduce tomato: Stir in tomatoes and salt and cook for 8 minutes until the base is thick rather than watery.
  4. Coat chicken: Add chicken and turn through the masala for 3–4 minutes.
  5. Simmer gently: Pour in coconut milk and water. Bring just to a simmer, partly cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken reaches at least 74°C in the centre.
  6. Finish: Uncover briefly if too thin. Remove from the heat, add lime gradually and finish with coriander.

Chef Notes & Tips

A strong rolling boil can make coconut sauce look oily. Keep the heat moderate and add lime after the simmering stage.

Ingredient choices: Use unsweetened coconut milk rather than a coconut drink. Cut the chicken into even pieces and keep the measured water ready, adding only the amount needed for the desired consistency. Tomato moisture varies, especially between seasons.

Cooking control: Cook the onion and tomato-spice base thoroughly before adding coconut milk. Simmer gently with the chicken and verify a 74°C centre temperature. Reduce to the desired thickness before adding the final lime and coriander.

If something goes wrong: If the sauce is watery, lift out cooked chicken briefly while reducing it. A little separated coconut oil is not the same as spoiled sauce. If the curry tastes heavy, test a few drops of lime in one spoonful before adding more to the pan.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • ↔ Chicken thighs → chicken breast, checking earlier
  • ↔ Lime juice → lemon juice
  • ↔ Fresh tomatoes → canned chopped tomatoes

Food Safety & Doneness

Keep raw poultry separate from ready-to-eat food and do not wash it. Check the thickest flesh and any stuffing reach at least 74°C with a food thermometer; colour and timing alone are not reliable.

Serving & Plating

Serve with rice and a simple green vegetable. Stir gently before portioning to distribute chicken and sauce evenly.

Storage

Refrigerate promptly in shallow covered containers at 4°C or below and use within 3 days. Reheat only the portion needed to at least 74°C throughout. Discard food left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 32°C.

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