Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this easy Thai green curry recipe. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish combines tender chicken with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, all simmered in creamy coconut milk.
Photos of Easy Thai Green Curry Recipe
If you're not familiar with green curry paste, fish sauce, or coconut milk, you may need to make a trip to the international aisle of your supermarket. These ingredients are essential for achieving the authentic Thai flavor.
Ingredients For Easy Thai Green Curry Recipe
chicken breast: Lean protein that becomes tender when cooked.
flour: Helps to lightly coat the chicken for better texture.
canola oil: A neutral oil for cooking.
carrot: Adds sweetness and crunch.
snowpeas: Provides a crisp, fresh texture.
green bell pepper: Adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
green curry paste: The main flavor component, made from green chilies, garlic, and herbs.
green onions: Adds a light, fresh onion flavor.
garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic base.
ginger: Adds a warm and slightly spicy undertone.
coconut milk: Creates a rich, creamy sauce.
fish sauce: Adds depth and umami.
white sugar: Balances the flavors with a touch of sweetness.
lime: Adds acidity and brightness.
avocado: Introduces a creamy texture and richness.
One reader, Alie Stafford says:
This easy Thai green curry recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are vibrant and authentic, and it's incredibly simple to make. The combination of fresh veggies and tender chicken in a creamy coconut sauce is divine. Perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner!
Techniques Required for Making Thai Green Curry
How to toss chicken with flour: Coat the chicken breast pieces evenly with flour to create a light crust. How to cook chicken in a skillet: Heat the skillet with canola oil and cook the chicken until it is no longer pink inside. How to cook vegetables in a skillet: Sauté the carrots, snow peas, and green bell peppers until they are tender-crisp. How to cook curry paste: Stir the curry paste in the skillet to release its flavors. How to chop green onions, garlic, and ginger: Finely chop the green onions, mince the garlic, and grate the fresh ginger. How to whisk ingredients: Combine the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest by whisking them together until smooth. How to cut an avocado: Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit, and cut the flesh into chunks.
How To Make Easy Thai Green Curry
Enjoy a rich bowl of this Thai green curry for dinner tonight! It’s packed with tender chicken and vegetables coated in a creamy coconut sauce.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lbchicken breast,boneless skinless, sliced thinly
- 1tbspflour
- ¼cupcanola oil,divided
- 1carrot,peeled, thinly sliced into coins
- 1cupsnowpeas
- 1green bell pepper,thinly sliced
- 2tbspgreen curry paste
- 2green onions,with tops, minced
- 3garlic cloves,minced
- 2tspfresh ginger,minced
- 2cupscoconut milk
- 1tbspfish sauce
- 2tbspwhite sugar
- 1lime,juiced and zested
- 1avocado,cut into 1-inch chunks
Instructions
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Toss the chicken with the flour, then add them to a large skillet on medium heat with half the canola oil.
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Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the pan, then add in the remaining canola oil into the skillet.
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Add the carrots, snow peas, and green bell peppers, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
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Transfer the vegetables to the plate with the chicken.
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Add the curry paste, then cook and stir for 30 to 45 seconds.
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Add in the green onions, garlic, and ginger, then keep stirring for another 1 minute.
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Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest, then whisk to combine.
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Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat.
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Turn off the heat, then add the chicken back into the pan with the avocado chunks. Stir them together gently.
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Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 684.59kcal
- Fat: 56.20g
- Saturated Fat: 26.56g
- Trans Fat: 0.17g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 19.13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.44g
- Carbohydrates: 22.80g
- Fiber: 5.42g
- Sugar: 8.77g
- Protein: 28.58g
- Cholesterol: 73.31mg
- Sodium: 497.01mg
- Calcium: 71.55mg
- Potassium: 941.00mg
- Iron: 5.66mg
- Vitamin A: 174.20µg
- Vitamin C: 38.59mg
Key Technique for Perfecting Thai Green Curry
When cooking chicken in a skillet, make sure to not overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to steam rather than sear, which can result in a less flavorful and less crispy texture. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a nice golden-brown sear.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Easy Thai Green Curry
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop carrots, snow peas, and green bell peppers in advance to save time during cooking.
Use pre-minced garlic and ginger: Opt for store-bought minced garlic and ginger to cut down on prep time.
Cook chicken in batches: If your skillet is small, cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking and save time.
Ready-made curry paste: Using store-bought green curry paste speeds up the process without compromising flavor.
One-pot method: Cook the chicken and vegetables in the same skillet to minimize cleanup and save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Thai Green Curry Recipe
Chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great plant-based protein that absorbs the flavors of the curry well.
Flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and is gluten-free.
Canola oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a subtle coconut flavor that complements Thai cuisine.
Carrot - Substitute with sweet potato: Sweet potatoes add a similar sweetness and texture to the dish.
Snowpeas - Substitute with green beans: Green beans provide a similar crunch and can be easily found.
Green bell pepper - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell peppers add a slight sweetness and vibrant color.
Green curry paste - Substitute with yellow curry paste: Yellow curry paste can be used if green curry paste is unavailable, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Green onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a similar mild onion flavor.
Garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh garlic is preferred for its robust flavor.
Fresh ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used if fresh ginger is not available, though the flavor will be less intense.
Coconut milk - Substitute with almond milk with coconut extract: Almond milk with a bit of coconut extract can mimic the flavor and creaminess of coconut milk.
Fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor and is a good vegetarian alternative.
White sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and can be used in place of white sugar.
Lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon can provide a similar acidity and brightness to the dish.
Avocado - Substitute with cashews: Cashews add a creamy texture and rich flavor similar to avocado.
Best Way to Present This Thai Green Curry Recipe
Serve smaller portion sizes: Plate a modest portion of chicken and vegetables to maintain elegance and focus on quality over quantity.
Use decoration: Garnish with thin slices of lime and a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions for a fresh and vibrant look.
Highlight textures: Arrange the snow peas and carrots to showcase their crispness, contrasting with the tender chicken and creamy avocado.
Create height: Stack the chicken and vegetables slightly to add dimension and visual interest to the plate.
Use a sauce drizzle: Artfully drizzle the coconut milk and green curry paste sauce around the plate to enhance both flavor and presentation.
Incorporate color: Ensure the green bell pepper, carrots, and avocado are prominently displayed to add vibrant colors to the dish.
Add a touch of luxury: Top the dish with a few microgreens or edible flowers to elevate the presentation to a Michelin-star level.
Serve warm: Ensure the dish is served at the perfect temperature to enhance the flavors and overall dining experience.
Essential Tools for Making Thai Green Curry
Large skillet: For cooking the chicken and vegetables, and combining all the ingredients together.
Tongs: Useful for turning the chicken and vegetables while cooking.
Cutting board: Essential for chopping the vegetables, garlic, ginger, and green onions.
Chef's knife: For slicing the chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Measuring spoons: To measure out the flour, canola oil, curry paste, fish sauce, and sugar accurately.
Measuring cups: For measuring the coconut milk.
Whisk: To combine the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest smoothly.
Spatula: For stirring the curry paste and other ingredients in the skillet.
Juicer: To extract the juice from the lime.
Zester: For obtaining the zest from the lime.
Plate: To temporarily hold the cooked chicken and vegetables.
Garlic press: For mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.
Grater: To grate the fresh ginger.
Serving bowl: To serve the finished Thai green curry.
Storing and Freezing Thai Green Curry
To store leftover Thai green curry, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, ensure the curry is heated through thoroughly. You may need to add a splash of coconut milk or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened during storage.
For longer storage, you can freeze the curry for up to 2-3 months. To do this:
- Transfer the cooled curry to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag.
- If using a container, leave about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Place in the freezer and store for up to 2-3 months.
To thaw frozen Thai green curry:
- Remove the container or bag from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw slowly.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the curry in the microwave using the defrost setting, stirring occasionally to ensure even thawing.
When reheating thawed curry, transfer it to a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a little extra coconut milk or water to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
It's best to store the avocado separately and add it fresh when serving, as it may become mushy when frozen and thawed.
How To Reheat Thai Green Curry Leftovers
Reheat the curry in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. This method ensures that the chicken and vegetables are heated through evenly without overcooking or drying out.
If the curry has thickened up in the refrigerator, add a splash of coconut milk or water to help loosen it up and restore its original consistency.
For a quicker reheating method, transfer individual portions of the curry to microwave-safe bowls and heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you have any leftover rice, reheat it separately in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to help steam it back to life. Serve the reheated curry over the warm rice for a satisfying meal.
To add a fresh twist to your leftover curry, consider garnishing it with some freshly chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or a squeeze of lime juice before serving. These bright, zesty flavors will help to liven up the dish and make it taste just as delicious as the first time around.
Interesting Fact About Thai Green Curry
A unique aspect of this Thai green curry recipe is the inclusion of avocado, which is not traditionally used in Thai cuisine. The creamy texture of the avocado complements the rich coconut milk and adds a modern twist to the classic green curry.
Is Making Thai Green Curry at Home Cost-Effective?
This easy Thai green curry recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like chicken breast, carrots, snow peas, and coconut milk are affordable and widely available. Specialty items like green curry paste and fish sauce might be slightly pricier but are used in small quantities. The inclusion of avocado adds a touch of luxury but can be omitted for cost savings. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost in USD for a household of 4 people: $20-$25.
Is Thai Green Curry Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Thai green curry recipe is a delicious and flavorful dish, but it may not be the healthiest option due to a few ingredients. The use of coconut milk, which is high in saturated fat, and the addition of white sugar can increase the calorie and fat content of the dish. However, the recipe does include a variety of vegetables, lean protein from the chicken, and healthy fats from the avocado, which provide essential nutrients.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the coconut milk with a lower-fat alternative, such as light coconut milk or a mixture of coconut milk and low-sodium chicken broth
- Reduce the amount of sugar used or substitute it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
- Increase the portion of vegetables in the dish to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Use a leaner cut of chicken, such as chicken tenderloin, to reduce the overall fat content
- Opt for brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish to increase the fiber and nutrient content of the meal
- Limit the amount of oil used in cooking by using non-stick cookware or cooking spray
By incorporating these changes, you can enjoy a healthier version of this Thai green curry recipe without compromising on taste. The dish will still be packed with flavor from the aromatic herbs and spices, while providing a balance of lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables.
Editor's Opinion on This Thai Green Curry Recipe
This Thai green curry recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, and lime zest enhances the aromatic profile, while the coconut milk provides a rich, creamy base. The addition of avocado is unconventional but adds a unique, buttery texture that complements the dish. However, the flour on the chicken might not be necessary and could be omitted for a more authentic experience. Overall, it's a well-balanced, easy-to-follow recipe that brings a taste of Thailand to your kitchen.
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Why trust this Easy Thai Green Curry Recipe:
This recipe is a must-try because it combines the authentic flavors of Thai green curry paste with the creamy richness of coconut milk. The use of fresh ingredients like garlic, ginger, and lime ensures a vibrant and aromatic dish. Plus, the addition of avocado gives it a unique twist, making it both delicious and nutritious. Trust this recipe for a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that brings the taste of Thailand to your kitchen.
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