Description
This Coconut Cream Chicken Curry Skillet is a rich and flavorful Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy coconut sauce infused with aromatic spices. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and packs a satisfying balance of savory and tangy flavors, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Chicken and Oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Aromatics and Spices
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the curry.
- Add Spices: Stir in the curry powder, ground turmeric, cumin, and paprika, cooking for about 1 minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, allowing it to meld with the spices and aromatics.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the coconut cream and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients into a rich sauce.
- Simmer the Curry: Return the browned chicken to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens beautifully.
- Finish and Season: Stir in the lime juice, then season with salt and black pepper. Cook uncovered for an additional 2–3 minutes to let the sauce reduce slightly and flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve hot over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but reduce cooking time slightly to prevent drying out.
- Adding chopped spinach or bell peppers is a great way to incorporate extra vegetables.