Description
Spicy, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes, this Easy Thai Red Curry Chicken is a flavorful weeknight dinner that brings the taste of your favorite Thai takeout home. Perfect for anyone craving a quick dinner, bold flavors, or new dinner ideas, this easy recipe combines coconut milk, red curry paste, chicken, and fresh vegetables in one unforgettable dish. It’s the kind of healthy(ish) comfort food that feels special but is simple enough for busy nights. A must-add to your dinner ideas list!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
13.5 oz coconut milk (1 can, full fat)
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
2 bell peppers, thinly sliced (red or orange)
0.5 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon grated ginger or paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 0.5 lime
Chopped fresh cilantro or Thai basil, for garnish
Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
Instructions
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until aromatic.
2. Add chicken slices and cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned, but not fully cooked through.
3. Stir in the red curry paste and let it cook for 1 minute to release its full aroma.
4. Pour in the coconut milk and stir until combined.
5. Add bell peppers, fish sauce, brown sugar, and turmeric. Stir well, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked and peppers are tender.
6. Squeeze in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
7. Serve hot over jasmine rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro or Thai basil.
Notes
Full-fat coconut milk gives the best creamy texture, but light versions work if you’re cutting calories.
Letting the curry paste cook in oil before adding coconut milk boosts its flavor significantly.
If using tofu instead of chicken, press it beforehand for better texture and sear it until golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (with rice)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg