Description

Ready in under 30 minutes, this Coconut Curry Chicken is a creamy, spiced, and deeply flavorful dish made with tender chicken simmered in a velvety coconut milk sauce. It’s the perfect easy dinner idea for busy nights, while still being elegant enough for guests. Serve it over rice or scoop it with naan—either way, you’re in for comfort food with bold flavor. Ideal for those seeking healthy dinner ideas, one-pan meals, or warming food ideas with international flair.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon paprika

0.5 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

0.5 teaspoon black pepper

1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.

2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium and sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute.

4. Stir in curry powder, paprika, and cumin. Toast spices for 30 seconds.

5. Pour in coconut milk, scraping browned bits from the pan.

6. Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce over top, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes.

7. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

Notes

Full-fat canned coconut milk makes a major difference in creaminess—avoid boxed versions.

For extra flavor, marinate chicken in a bit of curry powder and oil 30 minutes before cooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Indian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 115mg

Keywords: easy dinner, chicken curry, coconut curry chicken, one-pan meals, healthy dinner