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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Dal & Curries » Chicken Curries » Coconut Curry Chicken

    Published: Jun 12, 2020 | Last Updated On: Jul 3, 2020 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Coconut Curry Chicken

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    Jump to Recipe

    This Creamy Coconut Curry Chicken is an Indian curry dish made using chicken pieces, coconut milk, and spices. Do try this Indian chicken curry recipe with Naan or Steamed Rice for a delectable meal. Here is how to make it.

    You can also try some more Chicken Curries, that you can enjoy during your weekdays – Chicken Chettinad, Kadai Chicken, Chicken Masala, Malabar Chicken Curry, and Fresh Methi Chicken.

    Coconut Curry Chicken served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Recipe
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Recipe Card

    About This Recipe

    Coconut Chicken Curry is a one-pot, main course meal in which soft chicken pieces are cooked nicely along with mildly flavored coconut gravy.

    The base of the gravy is formed with onions and tomatoes which is then flavored with some aromatic ground spices.

    Adding coconut milk not only provides a nice coconut flavor to the dish but also provides a nice sweet touch to the curry.

    This curry is quite similar to the one we generally make at home with finely chopped onions and tomatoes.

    The only difference is that we add a little coconut flavor to the curry by adding some coconut milk to it, which leaves the gravy less spicy and a bit sweetened and a whole lot flavourful.

    Ingredients

    Chicken – High in protein, I make sure to include chicken in my meals once a week. And what can be better than this simple Chicken Curry for a weekday? You can follow the same recipe and even make Prawns or Fish Curry with coconut.

    Coconut Milk – Coconut Milk not only adds a creamy texture but even decreases the spiciness and adds a hint of sweetness to the dish.

    Spices – For this Curry, I have used everyday spices such as coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and salt.

    Other Ingredients – Other than the above ingredients, you will need oil, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, onions, tomato, fresh coriander, and green chilies.

    Step By Step Recipe

    Heat vegetable oil in a pan.

    Oil heating in a pan.

    Once the oil is hot, add fennel seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies and fry for a few seconds.

    Fennel seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves and green chillies added in the pan.

    Add onion and fry until slightly browned.

    Onions added in the pan.

    Add tomato and cook for 3-4 minutes.

    Tomatoes added in the pan.

    Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt to taste and cook until oil starts to separate from the sides.

    coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt added in the pan.

    Add chicken and fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes.

    Chicken added in the pan.

    Add water and cover the pan.

    Water added in the pan.

    Cook until chicken is softened.

    Pan covered.

    Add garam masala powder and coconut milk and cook for 10-12 minutes on low heat.

    Garam masala and coconut milk added in the pan.

    Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

    Ready coconut chicken curry.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Coconut Milk v/s Coconut Cream

    In this recipe, we use coconut milk to provide a nice coconut flavor to the dish and also to thicken the gravy.

    Coconut cream, when compared to coconut milk, is too thick in consistency and also has an overpowering coconut flavor. Due to these reasons, coconut milk is preferably used in the recipe. You can read more about these two ingredients here.

    How to make it in a Crockpot/Slow Cooker?

     
    In order to prepare coconut curry chicken in a slow cooker, you first have to saute some finely chopped onions and garlic in a pan on high heat.

    Once they are soft enough, add all the ingredients (along with the sauteed onion and garlic) mentioned in the recipe into the slow cooker and mix them nicely.

    Now cook this on low heat for 3 hours and your delicious chicken curry with coconut milk in a crockpot will be ready to serve.

     
    How to make it in an Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker?

    If you are in a hurry, you can prepare this delicious coconut curry chicken in a pressure cooker as well.

    Just follow the exact same recipe as given below in a pressure cooker and then cook the chicken on a medium flame for 3 whistles.

    Let the pressure cooker release all its pressure by itself. After this, mix everything well and coconut curry chicken in a pressure cooker will be ready to serve.

    If using Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker, press SAUTE and follow the same steps as mentioned below until adding the chicken in the pot.

    Add ½ cup water and close the lid of the Instant Pot. Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 10 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release for 10 minutes.

    Release the remaining pressure manually. Open the lid and garnish the chicken curry with fresh coriander. Serve hot.

    Can I use Coconut Cream in the curry instead?

    Yes, if you want the curry to be thick, rich, and the coconut flavor to be prominent, you can use coconut cream. I like the subtle and light flavor of coconut milk along with the spices and thus I make this Curry with Coconut milk.

    Storage Suggestions

    This Coconut Chicken Curry will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an airtight container.

    I will not recommend you to freeze this curry, because if frozen, the coconut milk will split while thawing and it will be grainy and won’t taste good.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can serve this curry along with some hot Roti, Tawa Paratha, Laccha Paratha, Kerala Parotta, Naan, Appam, Dosa, or Neer Dosa by its side.

    Veg Pulao, Jeera Rice, Ghee Rice, Steamed Rice or some delicious Biryani would also perfectly complement Coconut Curry Chicken.

    Variations

    You can always modify the recipe according to your taste. You can add vegetables of your choice along with the chicken, such as carrots, bell peppers, boiled potatoes, spinach, and many more.

    If you are adding spinach, always add it at the end, stir it and let it cook for a minute or a two on low flame.

    You can also use the chicken cut of your choice, be it chicken breast or chicken thigh. Each modification depends totally on your taste and preferences.

    I like to use chicken with bone as the bones add a nice flavor to the curry.

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    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    This Creamy Coconut Curry Chicken is an Indian curry dish made using chicken pieces, coconut milk, and spices. Do try this Indian chicken curry recipe with Naan or Steamed Rice for a delectable meal. Here is how to make it.

    Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe

    Coconut Curry Chicken is a creamy Indian curry dish made using chicken pieces, coconut milk and spices. Do try this Indian chicken curry recipe with naan or steamed rice for a delectable meal. Here is how to make it.
    4.84 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 406kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 4 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
    • 15-20 Curry Leaves
    • 6-7 Green Chillies
    • 1 cup Onion (Chopped)
    • ½ cup Tomato (Chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 500 g Chicken (Curry Cut)
    • 1 cup Water
    • ½ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
    • 1 cup Coconut Milk
    • 2 tablespoon Fresh Coriander (Chopped)
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    Instructions

    • Heat vegetable oil in a pan.
    • Once the oil is hot, add fennel seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves and green chillies and fry for a few seconds.
    • Add onion and fry until they turn slightly browned.
    • Add tomato and cook for 3-4 minutes.
    • Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt to taste and cook until oil starts to separate from the sides.
    • Add chicken and fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes.
    • Add water and cover the pan.
    • Cook until chicken is softened.
    • Add garam masala powder and coconut milk and cook for 10-12 minutes on low heat.
    • Garnish with fresh coriander.
    • Serve hot.

    Notes

    You can use boneless chicken cubes in this recipe too.
    Using homemade coconut milk gives the best result, however canned milk works great too.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 376mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 91mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3mg
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    More Chicken Curry Recipes

    • Kerala Style Chicken Stew is a traditional dish from the state of Kerala (India). It is a mild chicken curry prepared using bone-in chicken, veggies, spices, and coconut milk. Make it using my easy recipe and serve it with steamed rice, appam, or hoppers.
      Traditional Kerala Style Chicken Stew
    • Chicken Kali Mirch (Black Pepper Chicken Curry) is a delicious Indian chicken curry loaded with black pepper. Serve this rich and creamy curry with Lachha Paratha or Naan for an indulgent meal (gluten-free).
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    • Kadai Chicken (Chicken Karahi Curry) is a delicious Indian chicken curry where chicken is cooked with freshly ground spices. This spicy curry goes well with naan or any other Indian bread.
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    • Malai Chicken Curry (Murgh Malaiwala) is a rich and creamy chicken curry where chicken pieces are cooked with heavy cream, yogurt, and spices. Serve it with naan or lachha paratha for an indulgent meal (gluten-free).
      Malai Chicken Curry (Murgh Malaiwala)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Julie

      February 24, 2012 at 9:42 pm

      Yummilicious,I love adding coconut milk in chicken curry,gives a thicker consistency n sweeter taste..Nice clicks,Neha!!

      Reply
    2. Only Fish Recipes

      February 24, 2012 at 9:52 pm

      wow..the chicken curry looks so so tempting….i like the use of coconut milk in non veg…loved this dish 🙂

      Reply
    3. Asian-spice mix

      February 24, 2012 at 10:47 pm

      I just make similar dish few days ago,and i always enjoy curry dishes ,this chicken curry looks yummy,I need to try with naan bread sometimes sound delicious too 🙂
      Ridwan

      Reply
    4. Torviewtoronto

      February 25, 2012 at 12:52 am

      delicious looking presentation and chicken

      Reply
    5. anne

      February 25, 2012 at 2:56 am

      I love chicken curry and your dish looks really really scrumptious ! Yummy photos , too !

      Reply
    6. Ramya

      February 25, 2012 at 4:47 am

      ur chicken curry is so very tempting…i usually make chicken/mutton stew with coconut milk..try that too sometime…

      Reply
    7. Vimitha Anand

      February 25, 2012 at 5:29 am

      Creamy n yummy curry. Perfect side dish for chapathis n rotis

      Reply
    8. faseela

      February 25, 2012 at 8:11 am

      wow….superb nd creamy chicken….great

      Reply
    9. Umm Mymoonah

      February 25, 2012 at 10:10 am

      Hmmm, yummy! Love the flavour of coconut milk with chicken.

      Reply
    10. Charu Srivastava

      February 25, 2012 at 11:23 am

      delicious…such a flavorful dish !!!

      Reply
    11. Christy Gerald

      February 25, 2012 at 1:30 pm

      Awesome Gravy Dear.Fabulous recipe

      Reply
    12. Purabi Naha

      February 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      This looks awesome!! Loved the droolworthy pictures. Bookmarked!

      Reply
    13. ♥Sharon♥

      February 26, 2012 at 6:51 pm

      your pictures are breathtaking..they have a professional touch to it..love em !!

      Reply
      • Deepz

        October 21, 2019 at 1:40 am

        5 stars
        It turned out really tasty.. I made this dish for some friends who came home for dinner !! They totally loved it…Thanks for the recipe.

        Reply
    14. Balvinder Ubi

      February 27, 2012 at 3:45 am

      I will make it and trust you that it tasted awesome. My daughter has said many times to make chicken with coconut milk which we once ate a restaurant.

      Reply
      • Nisha

        May 17, 2020 at 7:56 am

        5 stars
        Wonderful recipe.. I made it for lunch and it tastes awesome.
        Thanks for recipe

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          May 18, 2020 at 4:56 am

          Happy to hear!

          Reply
    15. Blackswan

      February 27, 2012 at 6:03 am

      Lots of good food here. Yum! I haven’t been cooking much lately but I do hope to see your visits as often too. Your comments mean a lot. Have a great week, dear!

      Reply
    16. Deeps @ Naughty Curry

      February 27, 2012 at 7:55 am

      i love curries with coconut milk in it, adds such a richness to it. im drooling over the naan’s..did u make them urself?

      Reply
    17. Bikramjit

      February 27, 2012 at 12:44 pm

      OH MY GOD .. IF only i had seen this yesterday ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh never mind 4 days to saturday ..

      Reply
    18. Achu's Amma's Kitchen

      February 27, 2012 at 8:28 pm

      omg super duper chicken awesome

      Reply
    19. lara warmwinter

      March 28, 2013 at 2:16 am

      That looks amazing, I would really enjoy that for dinner. It looks like something from an Indian restaurant.

      Reply
    20. Vikram Jonathan Peters

      September 01, 2019 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      This is a great dish. I doubled the recipe because I was cooking for a crowd of people. I did not double the amount of coconut milk. All in all, a terrific dish. It has the right amount of flavor from the spices and the overarching hint of coconut. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        September 03, 2019 at 4:12 am

        Happy to hear this 🙂

        Reply
    21. Deepz

      October 21, 2019 at 1:41 am

      It turned out really tasty.. I made this dish for some friends who came home for dinner !! They totally loved it…Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        October 21, 2019 at 4:20 am

        I am glad to know that 🙂

        Reply
    22. Pooja

      October 31, 2019 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      Hi Neha,

      This taste fantastic and I made this for lunch. Flavor of coconut was the best in this.

      Regards,

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        October 31, 2019 at 11:11 am

        Thanks for trying

        Reply
        • tamucurry

          July 17, 2020 at 5:12 am

          Why not use garlic and ginger?

          Reply
          • Neha Mathur

            July 19, 2020 at 4:56 am

            You don’t have to use all the ingredients in all the recipes.

            Reply
    23. Mahesh

      July 07, 2020 at 7:00 pm

      Hi, thanks for posting. Can this be prepared in a slow cooker ?

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        July 11, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Yes, sure.

        Reply
    24. Uma Thangaraj

      September 27, 2020 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe.. thank I so much.. my husband liked it

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        September 28, 2020 at 3:45 pm

        Good to know 🙂

        Reply

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    Neha Mathur, Founder & Recipe Expert at Whisk Affair

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