Cheap Creamy Chicken Curry
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
Food52 Review: 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
Serves: 3
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
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2
tablespoons Canola or Vegetable Oil
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2
Fresh Garlic Cloves, Finely Minced
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1
Large Yellow Onion, Finely Chopped
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2 1/2
teaspoons Curry Powder
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2
teaspoons Ground Cumin
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1/4
teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
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1
teaspoon Ground Tumeric
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1
pound Boneless Chicken Breasts, Cut into 1"Bite Size Pieces
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1 1/2
teaspoons Tomato Paste
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1
cup Coconut Milk
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2
teaspoons Kosher Salt
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1
cup Hot Water (optional)
- 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.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Dirt Cheap Dinner
More Great Recipes:
Stew|Chicken|Make Ahead|One-Pot Wonders|Entree
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Skipped the chicken and added roasted cauliflower and potatoes. Yum.
Please, save the ziploc bag to the planet and just toss the ingredients in a bowl
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!
Taste was wonderful , but gritty
with the spices . What should I do? Thanks
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.
We add half a bag of frozen petite green peas a few minutes before serving and it adds a nice contrast in flavor and color. Serve with brown rice and chopped peanuts, lime and cilantro and it's delicious.
What is a recommended side dish for this curry? I've made it a few times (love it) and always serve it over rice. Curios to know what ppl suggest on the side!?
Mangoes!
My kids love naan on the side
I decided to double the recipe and added the entire can of coconut milk. So amazing!
I made this recipe using shrimp instead of chicken. Not quite so cheap, but just as delectable! I used shrimp with tails off, and cooked them only about 2½ or 3 minutes, watching them carefully till they turned pink. Absolutely divine! Thanks so much for the recipe, Table9!
Made this tonight and it was Delish! Like others, I increased the spices a bit, used the whole can of coconut (no water) and doubled the tomato paste. Added some grated ginger and some diced carrot and zucchini since I had it on hand. What a revelation of a recipe! Thank you Table9!
Thanks for your comment! I made with similar alterations with wonderful results.
This is my favourite curry recipe!
Tried this tonight for the first time. It was great but we ended up making burritos with it. Just put curry chicken and white rice on burrito with cabbage and a little ponzu sauce. So yummy!
Also I did like several people suggested and put the whole can of coconut milk. The raw cabbage in the wrap really added to it!
Used the whole can of coconut milk and added more chicken. Delish!!
My 6th grade son used this delicious recipe for a class assignment. He needed local, seasonal "spotlight" ingredients, so he added potatoes, carrots and broccoli, we tweaked a few measurements - delicious!
Like others, we increased the spices, added the whole can of coconut milk, and I doubled the tomato paste too.
took a heavy hand with the spices and tomato paste, added some ginger, chickpeas, golden raisins and the whole can of coconut milk, and topped it with cilantro and toasted almonds. oh, yum. yum yum.
Yes! Will serve with roasted cashews, fresh cilantro and limes atop.
Looks like a winner. Recipe saved.
We enjoyed this comforting dish so much. I added a can of garbanzo beans, and poured in the whole can of coconut milk instead of just a cup. Thank you so much for this simple and delicious recipe
Did you keep all ratios the same but added the garbanzo beans? I may do that as well! extra protein.
Yup, all ratios were kept the same! I didn't need to add any water to the dish, and like I said before, I poured in a whole can of coconut milk, but the end dish was still wonderfully flavorful.
This turned out beautifully! Thank you for a great recipe that led to a wonderful dinner party. I used chicken thighs and doubled everything expecting leftovers...but there were none! I also added chickpeas and topped with lime and cilantro. Thanks again
Perfect recipe! delicious. I will cook this every week :D thx for the recipe
Lovely recipe. One of my fav's. Here are my tweaks: I use chicken thighs for better flavor, add vege with chicken- zucchini and or delicata squash. I omit the water. I serve it with a side of chard, basmati rice, chutney and dollop of greek yogurt. YUM
Showing 28 out of 104 comments