Name: Thai Chicken Curry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 small onion; 1 stalk lemongrass; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 3-4 tsp red Thai curry paste; 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces); 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tsp sugar (brown is best); 4 lime leaves; 400 ml can coconut milk; 20 g pack fresh coriander; 1/2 tbsp garlic (minced); 1/2 tbsp chili pepper; 1/2 tbsp tamarind paste; 2 basil

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When reflecting on Thai food, chicken curry is likely one of the first dishes that comes to mind.

You may have even had this dish before, but did you know that it’s actually a completely different type of meal?

This popular dish can be enjoyed as a side or main course and is typically made with a combination of vegetables, meat, fish, and spices.

Here are some basic facts about Thai chicken curry.

Introduction to Thai Chicken Curry

Traditional Thai dishes are often served over rice.

However, there are several other ways to enjoy this recipe.

For example, you could serve the chicken curry on top of noodles instead of rice.

You could also use pasta or tortillas as an alternative to rice.

You can also add the chicken curry to a bowl of steamed veggies (such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, spinach, or carrots).

The possibilities are endless!

Origins of Thai Chicken Curry

The origins of Thai chicken curry are not entirely clear, though it’s believed that it was originally based on Indian cuisine.

It seems that many of the ingredients found in modern day Thai chicken curry were added during the colonial era.

This means that when the British colonized Thailand, they brought their own influences into the mix.

These included curry powder, which is now a staple ingredient in many types of chicken curry.

According to Food & Wine magazine, the word “curry” itself comes from the Hindi word kari, meaning sauce.

In fact, curry is considered a spice blend in India.

Traditional ingredients in Thai Chicken Curry

There are various traditional ingredients used in Thai chicken curry.

They include coconut milk, garlic, lemongrass, lime leaves, onion, ginger, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, tamarind paste, fish sauce, basil, coriander root, palm sugar, and turmeric.

These ingredients give the curry its unique flavor.

Some people believe that the secret to great tasting Thai chicken curry lies in the balance between these flavors.

For instance, too much of any single ingredient will overpower the others.

To ensure that the right amount of each ingredient is present, chefs must carefully weigh out every piece of curry powder, before adding it to the pan.

Ingredients

1 small onion
1 stalk lemongrass
1 tbsp vegetable oil
3-4 tsp red Thai curry paste
4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar, brown is best
4 lime leaves
400ml can coconut milk
20g pack fresh coriander
1/2 tbsp garlic minced
1/2 tbsp chili pepper
1/2 tbsp tamarind paste
2 basil

Variations of Thai Chicken Curry

There are numerous variations of Thai chicken curry.

Some recipes include just chicken, while others contain shrimp, beef, pork, tofu, vegetables, or mushrooms.

How to make Thai Chicken Curry

Making Thai chicken curry is simple.

First, prepare all of the ingredients and place them in separate bowls.

Then, heat up the oil in a saucepan.

When the oil is hot enough, add the onions and sauté until soft.

Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant.

Next, add the curry paste and cook for another minute.

Finally, add the coconut milk and bring it to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.

After the sauce has simmered for 10 minutes, add the coconut cream and stir well.

Add the chicken pieces, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 5 more minutes.

Finally, add the green beans, bell peppers, and snow peas and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Serving Thai Chicken Curry

Thai chicken curry is usually eaten over rice, but it can also be served as a side dish.

If you’re serving the curry as a side dish, you simply need to add a few extra servings of rice.

If you’re going to eat the curry as a main dish, then you’ll want to serve it over a bed of white rice.

You can also garnish the dish by topping each portion with a small mound of chopped peanuts, cilantro, or bean sprouts.

Tips for making the perfect Thai Chicken Curry

There are a number of tips to keep in mind when preparing Thai chicken curry.

Here are a few things to remember:

Be sure to use fresh coconut milk.

Do not substitute canned coconut milk for fresh coconut milk.

The taste and texture will differ greatly.

Add the coconut milk slowly.

Adding too much at once will result in a curdled mess.

Use only fresh ginger and garlic.

Do not use dried versions of either of these ingredients.

Do not overcook your chicken.

Cook it for less time than suggested on the recipe.

Pairing Thai Chicken Curry

Pairing Thai chicken curry with other foods is easy.

Try pairing it with brown rice, steamed veggies, salad, or bread.

Nutrition in Thai Chicken Curry

One serving of Thai chicken curry contains 1,072 calories and 54 grams of fat.

It also provides 9 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.

For comparison purposes, one serving of chicken breast contains 692 calories and 45 grams of fat.

Chicken breast also provides 22 grams of protein, 23 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of fiber.

FAQs about Thai Chicken Curry

Q. What is the difference between Thai chicken curry and Thai chicken soup?

A. There are a couple of differences between Thai chicken curry and Thai chicken soup.

Thai chicken soup is generally prepared using chicken broth, whereas Thai chicken curry uses coconut milk.

Q. Is Thai chicken curry gluten free?

A. Yes, Thai chicken curry is gluten free.

Q. Can I freeze Thai chicken curry?

A. Yes, you can freeze Thai chicken curry.

Just follow these steps before freezing:

Combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.

Once frozen, you can take it out of the freezer and thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Q. How long does Thai chicken curry last in the refrigerator?

A. Thai chicken curry should be stored in the fridge for no longer than three days.

Q. Is Thai chicken curry healthy?

A. Yes, Thai chicken curry is healthy.

It is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Q. How do I make Thai chicken curry healthier?

A. To make Thai chicken curry healthier, try replacing the heavy cream with coconut milk.

Replace the butter with olive oil.

And replace the chicken with tofu, shrimp, or salmon.