The rich flavors of Thai red curry chicken combined with a serving of jasmine rice create and easy and delicious weeknight meal. You will love the flavors of the curry, tamarind paste, coconut milk, lemon grass and ginger.
What does Thai food taste like?
The flavors, the smells, the textures. Thai food is truly interesting. Thai red curry chicken is one of my go to weekly meals. It's so easy to make and you can really adapt it any way you want. You can even do a vegetarian version if you prefer.
Last summer my daughter backpacked through Asia with a couple of her friends. In a couple of the hostels she took a Thai food cooking class with a local chef. What an awesome experience! She sent us a small cookbook she purchased from the class, and I have adapted the recipe to share with you. This is one of my family's favorites. I will be joining her in Asia next summer for a similar experience minus the backpacking part, just thought I would clarify that, LOL!
What is in Thai red curry paste?
The key ingredient in Thai red curry is red curry paste, a staple in every Thai kitchen. You can purchase it in the Asian section of major stores or you can make your own. Soon I will, but for this recipe I have used store bought and it is pretty darn good. Thai curry paste is made by grinding chilies to a paste and adding in garlic, shallots, lemongrass and other spices too.
Thai recipes often call for lemongrass, another ingredient in Thai food. As always fresh is best, but I have yet to find it fresh. I purchase lemongrass in a jar. It already comes chopped, and keeps really well in the fridge.
Do other countries make this dish?
Thailand has so many culinary influences, not only from its neighboring countries: Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, but from western explorers who at one point or another traded with this country. Chilies, for example, are a legacy of the Portuguese traders who brought them from the Americas. Curries were brought by the Indian and Persian traders. The list of influences goes on and on. In this recipe you will find a need for tamarind paste, another key ingredient in most Thai dishes. Tamarind is a brown fruit that comes in a bean-like pod. It is a fruit from the tamarind tree native to Africa. The tamarind traveled to Persia (modern day Iran) where it was named tamar-hindi (Indian date). If you are unable to find tamarind paste you can mix lime juice or white wine vinegar with equal parts of light brown sugar.
Does red curry have coconut milk?
As in most Thai dishes that are served in a sauce, coconut milk plays a huge part. I love coconut anything, so Thai red curry chicken is right up my alley. Enjoy it with a serving of jasmine rice; the aromatic, floral quality of this rice is a perfect complement to the spicy flavors of red curry paste. Thai red curry chicken is an easy way to bring an international flair to any weeknight meal.
How to make Thai red curry step by step
- Gather all your ingredients and have them ready to go. This dish comes together very quickly so have everything prepared: chicken breast cut into 2 inch cubes, a small onion minced, vegetable oil, salt, ground ginger, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, fish sauce, tamarind paste, lemon grass minced, cilantro chopped and brown sugar.
- In a large skillet heat the vegetable oil on medium then quickly sauté the chicken until is lightly brown on all sides.
- Add the onions and cook until translucent.
- Add the coconut milk and give it a stir and this will deglaze the pan.
- Add the Thai red curry paste and stir well to combine. Allow this to come to a slight boil and reduce the heat to low.
- Add the fish sauce and tamarind paste.
- Add the minced lemon grass and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Add the brown sugar and stir in then add the chopped cilantro. Serve over jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I make this dish up in advance? Yes you can make this a day ahead and reheat in the microwave and serve over fresh made rice. It reheats very well but do toss on some fresh chopped cilantro.
- How long can I store this dish? I try to use up any leftovers up within one or two days.
- Can I freeze Thai red curry chicken? I would not freeze this as the sauce would have a tendency to split and separate upon thawing and that is not good.
If you want to explore some other tasty Thai recipes here are a few to bookmark for later. Thai beef salad is a great dish for the grilling season and it has a fantastic marinade and homemade peanut lime dressing. Thai coconut chicken soup has that really nice combination of sweet and savory flavors that many Asian dishes bring to the table. If you want dessert then you have to try this Thai mango sticky rice that is rich, sweet and creamy with tangy mango slices. Thai-Style Pork Loin has the flavors of Thailand for grilling season, pair it with the spicy peanut sauce. Spicy Thai-Style Lettuce Wraps make a healthy app or side. They're made with ground turkey and spicy Thai spices and served in crunchy bibb lettuce.
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Thai Red Curry Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1 onion small, minced
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp ginger ground, fresh
- 8 oz coconut milk
- 3 Tbsp red curry paste
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp lemongrass
- 1 Tbsp cilantro chopped
- ¼ tsp brown sugar
Instructions
- In a skillet heat vegetable oil on medium heat. Quickly saute chicken until it is lightly brown on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and ginger.
- Add the onions and cook until onions are translucent.
- Add in the coconut milk and the curry paste. Stir well as this will deglaze the pan for extra flavor.
- Allow the mixture to come to a slight boil. Reduce heat and add the fish sauce, tamarind paste, and lemon grass. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Add in the brown sugar and cilantro.
- Serve over jasmine rice.
Notes
Q: Can I make this dish up in advance?
A: Yes you can make this a day ahead and reheat in the microwave and serve over fresh made rice. It reheats very well but do toss on some fresh chopped cilantro. Q: How long can I store this dish?
A: I try to use up any leftovers up within one or two days. Q: Can I freeze Thai red curry chicken?
A: I would not freeze this as the sauce would have a tendency to split and separate upon thawing and that is not good.
Nutrition
Carlee
That sounds like so much fun. Cooking classes from the chefs? What an experience! And this red curry chicken looks delicious!
Analida
It does look like a lot of fun. I can't wait to do it next summer. I love red curry.
Elena
This looks wonderful! I have been craving curries nonstop lately, I'll have to add this to my list!
Analida
thanks Elena
Denise Wright
My husband and I love Thai curry and he just told me yesterday that it was time to visit our favorite Thai restaurant. Maybe I'll surprise him with this dish. Looks great!
Analida
thanks Denise. Let me know how it turns out.
Lou Lou Girls
This is perfect! Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to party with us! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we get to see your fabulous new creations. The party goes until Friday at 7 pm. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Analida
Thanks Lou Lou Girls!!
🙂
Laura @MotherWouldKnow
I adore green curry chicken, so I'll bet that red curry chicken will also become a favorite of mine. Your daughter's trip sounds wonderful, but I have to admit that when you said you won't be backpacking when you go with her this year, I smiled - we moms are a bit past the backpacking part of such an adventure.
Analida
Yes, I am a bit past the backpacking stage, LOL!!! I also told her to reserve a cute hotel for us, not the hostels where her age group stays 🙂 Ah, the joys of getting older!
Lisa
I often make and love Thai green curry chicken. Now I've got to try yours with red Curry - it sounds so good! My family could eat Thai food like this every night!
Analida
Hi Lisa! I have never make Thai green curry. I need to try it out Do you have a recipe on your blog
Let me know if you try my red curry.
Mindy
This looks delicious! And how fun to travel with your daughter! I know you'll have a blast.
Analida
Hi Mindy!
Thank you. Yes, I am so looking forward to it.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
That cuisine is a go to at our place almost every week. Red curry is so versatile and delicious, and I can see this flavors work with fish or a vegetarian protein. Yum! What an amazing experience for a young girl to cook in Asia with a local chef!
Analida
Hi Nicoletta! Yes, isn't Thai red curry awesome! My daughter had an amazing experience. I hope to be able to do that some day soon. I did however take a cooking class in Vietnam from a local, my daughter's friend.
We love Thai food at our house too. 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Totally enjoy making curry at home. I love experimenting in the kitchen with all kinds of flavours and ingredients. This sounds delicious.
Andrea The Petite Cook
Thei red curry is a favourite in our house! I usually make it with fish, but I'll definitely give chicken a try!
Analida
Hi Andrea, give it a try with chicken. I think you will like it.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
I'm a sucker for Thai flavors, I love that sweet and spicy combination! Will be adding this to my 'to make' list!
Analida
Hi Carrie! Yes, those sweet and spicy flavors are to die for. Let me know how you like my Thai red curry chicken. 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I really shouldn't be reading this just before dinner! It sounds amazing. I love the spices that are going on. I'm becoming fonder all the time of curry. Loaded with flavor but not with calories. That is a win-win for me.
Analida
Hi Marisa, thanks so much for commenting.
Yes, curry is so wonderfully flavorful! I've always loved it, my dad was a big fan. 🙂
Leslie Haasch
I've been craving thai food like crazy lately - adding this to my list!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
I don't make curry at home often but this looks like a wonderful recipe to try!
Stacey
Thai curries have to be one of my favorites, and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be making this very soon!
Analida
I hope you make it Stacey. Let me know how you like it. I also love Thai curries. My daughter got me hooked. 🙂
Jodie Morgan
You know, as a girl who grew up in the South, cooking Thai cuisine has always terrified me! I love to eat it but I have no idea how to cook it. One of my goals this year is to branch out and try more ethnic recipes and this one sounds like a great place to start. Thanks so much for sharing!
Analida
You are welcome Jodie. I think you will find that this Thai red curry chicken recipe is easy to make. 🙂
Veronika
Love the combination of curry and chicken. Little spicy and lots of flavors!
Analida
Curry is a favorite in our house. Lots of flavors is right. Let me know how you like it if you get to try it.
Sara
This looks so good! I can't wait to try your recipe!
Analida
Thanks Sara. Let me know how you like it. 🙂