Name: Cheap Creamy Chicken Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 3
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Canola or Vegetable Oil; 2 Fresh Garlic Cloves, Finely Minced; 1 Large Yellow Onion, Finely Chopped; 2 1/2 teaspoons Curry Powder; 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin; 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes; 1 teaspoon Ground Tumeric; 1 pound Boneless Chicken Breasts, Cut into 1\"Bite Size Pieces; 1 1/2 teaspoons Tomato Paste; 1 cup Coconut Milk; 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt; 1 cup Hot Water (optional)

Photo by James Ransom

Test Kitchen-Approved

Author Notes

This is such a wonderful theme! I had so many ideas, but I really wanted to be different and stray from pasta or soup so I chose curry. This is a very mild curry, that is actually more a rich stew. The chicken and onions are braised in coconut milk which make this dish creamy and delicious. The total cost for this creamy chicken curry is roughly $ 10.00 to serve 4. Using my math team skills, this comes out to $ 2.50 a person, you just cannot beat it! Enjoy this flavorful, healthy and dirt cheap dinner. - Table9 —Table9

Test Kitchen Notes

Table9's Cheap Creamy Chicken Curry is a lovely, subtle curry that tastes anything but cheap! The spice blend is flawless and packs just the right amount of punch, and the use of coconut milk is canny indeed, lending the dish a wonderful richness and complexity. The only thing I would change is to hold back on half the water, adding more as needed. - wssmom —wssmom

Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 25 minutes
Serves 3

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Canola or Vegetable Oil
2 Fresh Garlic Cloves, Finely Minced
1 Large Yellow Onion, Finely Chopped
2 ¹/₂ teaspoons Curry Powder
2 teaspoons Ground Cumin
¹/₄ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 teaspoon Ground Tumeric
1 pound Boneless Chicken Breasts, Cut into 1"Bite Size Pieces
1 ¹/₂ teaspoons Tomato Paste
1 cup Coconut Milk
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 cup Hot Water (optional)

In This Recipe

Directions

In a wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, cook for 6-8 minutes or until transparent. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
Stir in cumin, tumeric, 1 teaspoon curry powder, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt- cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste. Mix to combine.
In ziploc bag, toss chicken pieces in remaining curry powder, season with salt and pepper. Add to wok, and cook for about 5-6 minutes until outside is golden brown.
Pour coconut milk into the wok-if coconut milk has separated from the fat, pour the liquid in and add a tablespoon or so of fat until you have the creamy consistency that you desire. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Add hot water if there is not enough liquid, because it has cooked down.
Serve hot with white rice if desired. Sprinkle with cilantro and a squeeze of lime if desired.

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Alisa Loughlin
Carrie Wolfers Sparrow
Martin
Margie V
Ann Marie

Review

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122 Reviews

Elisie October 20, 2019

Another thought for thickening. Add veggies which makes it healthier too. Then after they cooked, scoop them out. Purée all or some veggies. Then add them back to the curry.

Alisa L. October 9, 2019

I searched for the perfect curry recipe for a long time and now I can stop. This is perfect and is now in my regular rotation. I love this preparation.

Robin September 10, 2019

Super easy and delicious!! Omitted the hot pepper during cooking because my kids don’t enjoy spicy food yet - but sprinkled some on my husband’s and my servings. Keeper!!

Justine July 19, 2019

This curry was a hit with our family. It was mild enough for our heat averse teens, yet with plenty of flavor. We added tiny diced zucchini , potato and some peas. The starchy veggies helped thicken the sauce. I'm sure we'll have this more frequently as the weather gets colder.

elizabeth June 18, 2019

I've made this recipe many times...however I recently got a crock pot for a wedding gift so I threw all of the ingredients into the crockpot on high for 2-3 hours and it was so delicious!! On low I would say 6-7 hours

Luce June 8, 2019

Made this tonight for dinner and I LOVED it. Due to dietary restrictions... I used light coconut milk, which is not as thick and creamy as I’d like. Would corn starch thicken this appropriately? Or maybe some Greek yogurt?

I will have to lessen the amount of chili flakes if I want the kids to eat it!!!

ctgal October 14, 2019

Yes, corn starch will thicken it, as will potato starch. I always use them since I have to be gluten free.

Rick May 18, 2019

Simple, straight forward curry chicken recipe, with a light creamy coconut palate pleasing flavor. I did top it off with some lime. Much enjoyed, its a keeper.

ortolan May 3, 2019

I LOVE this recipe. It’s so adaptable and easy to make.
I made it tonight with vadouvan curry powder and freshly ground Garamond masala blend (I use my demoted coffee grinder). I also add a little pomegranate molasses at the last stage of cooking.
Served with black rice, lime, and cilantro, it’s so hearty and delicious!

ortolan May 3, 2019

Garam masala not Garamond!

Bridget March 12, 2019

This was delicious and came together really quickly. Like other reviewers, I used a little more chicken, omitted the hot water in favor of a full can of coconut milk, and used a bowl rather than a ziplock to season the chicken. Also, I was out of cumin but had Garam Masala so I used that in place of the cumin.

Carrie W. February 18, 2019

I omit the chili and it makes for a really great recipe for children!

Martin December 22, 2018

I've made this a few times and with different brands of coconut milk. With one, it was too coconutty and I would water it down to 1.5 coconut and 0.5 cup water, but with the other, 2 cups of coconut milk was fine. And yes, soya sauce does wonders. I don't remember how much I put, but like a splash, 1 tbsp or something.

locustfeast November 17, 2018

this is a delightful and incredibly easy recipe. I did not have curry powder so i used the thai kitchen (brand) curry paste + i added broccoli florets to make it a complete dinner. LOVED it.

Margie V. November 13, 2018

Really delicious! Increased chicken to 1.5 pounds (increased spices a bit) and then 1 can of coconut milk was the right amount. Did not need cilantro, but lime juice really brightened it up.

Linda D. October 30, 2018

I agree with Martin. This dish is delicious! And like Marty, I used the entire can of coconut milk. I read Ann's comments and will try the roasted cauliflower and potatoes one time.

Martin October 8, 2018

This is delicious. I have never cooked an indian dish and didn't have any of the spices on hand, so I went to the shop to buy them just for this. This is easy and really quick to make; I absolutely love it.

Ann M. September 20, 2018

Skipped the chicken and added roasted cauliflower and potatoes. Yum.

Nohra August 21, 2018

Please, save the ziploc bag to the planet and just toss the ingredients in a bowl

Liz September 2, 2019

Yup!! Good note!

Marty H. April 28, 2018

This is really good! I added in some red bell pepper and a bit of chopped up broccoli. I added the entire can of coconut milk and skipped the water. My coconut milk had indeed separated but when the lumps hit the hot pan, they melt with a bit of stirring. I found it had enough spice and heat. Will definitely make again!

susan__ April 23, 2018

Taste was wonderful , but gritty
with the spices . What should I do? Thanks

EC March 20, 2018

LIke many of the commenters, added more spice, tomato paste, and whole can of TJ light coconut milk. Added red peppers while cooking the chicken and, carrots
and romancesco that was steamed in the microwave. Easy, comforting, highly adaptable weeknight meal. Great for winter if you want something rich but still healthy. Flavor wise is on the mild, lighter side. Lacks a bit of depth/umami which I fixed with a dash of soy sauce and a little sugar. Also made a little roux with tapioca starch to thicken it slightly. Tastes similar to mild Japanese curry but without all the additives you get in the prefab packs. The cilantro, lime (or acid of choice) and extra condiments like chutney, Japanese ginger, etc. really help to give it some flavor complexity and texture.