Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

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Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry - rich and creamy easy Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry using leftover cooked chicken to make this ready and on the table in 40 minutes.

Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry | Slimming Eats Recipes (1)

It's probably no surprise that I love a good curry recipe, as you will find heaps to choose from here on Slimming Eats.

Curries are probably one of my favorite dishes to eat, you can literally turn the more basic of ingredients into a curry that is delicious and packed with flavour and this Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry is full of flavour.

Easy Curry Paste

The base to any curry is what adds flavour, get that wrong and your curry will be tasteless and not very appetizing. All you need is a good blend of spices, that any storecupboard or pantry should contain.

I use a blend of spices, green chillies, onion, garlic, ginger and tomato paste to create an easy curry paste, that not only adds flavour, but also thickens the curry, making it feel lovely and creamy and rich.

Types of Lentils in Curry

You will see various types of lentils used in curry recipes. For dhal type recipes, it tends to be red lentils or similar, which when cooked soften completely and break down into a thick sauce.

If you want a lentil curry where the lentils retain their shape - green or brown varieties are best.

Buy any lentils in bulk and they are a super cheap and a really versatile ingredient in a many different recipes. Great subsititute for meat too, in dishes such as bolognese, chilli, shepherds pie etc.

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Can I use a different variety of Lentils in a curry?

In this recipe I use green lentils as I wanted the lentils to retain their shape. You can of course use any variety of lentil you prefer, just be aware that cooking time will vary to that specified in the recipe below and you may need to use more or less liquid.

The appearence will differ also if you choose to use a different variety of lentils.

Can I use raw chicken?

I used some leftover cooked chicken breast, as I had some on hand after roasted a whole chicken the previous day. So it was nice and quick to just throw some in at the end.

You can definitely use raw chicken if you don't have any cooked chicken on hand. But I recommend browning it in a pan prior to adding it into the curry at the end and ensure it is cooked through by simmering it in the sauce before serving.

Both chicken breast or chicken thigh will work well in this dish. You can even omit the chicken altogether and keep it as a Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry - yum!!

Sides for Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry

I kept it very simple and just went for some basmati rice and fresh cilantro (coriander). Basmati rice is so easy to cook. I use the 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of liquid method. You just add 1 cup of rice to a saucepan with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, and simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed, then add a lid, turn off heat and leave for 10 minutes. Do not stir or touch in the cooking process, the steam trapped under the lid for the last step continues to cook the rice to perfect. This method will work for long grain rice, jasmine rice and basmati rice.

Some other great sides for this are any kind of sauteed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms or if you want to make this even healthier, serve alongside this yummy Roasted Cauliflower Rice

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Can I use light coconut milk?

You can if you want to reduce the points, just be aware that the sauce won't be as thick and creamy, as light coconut milk has a higher water ratio.

Did you know the only difference between light and regular coconut milk is the water ratio, so you are actually paying more for light coconut milk. Even if you want light coconut milk, just buy the regular and add more water to it.

Any leftover coconut milk can be frozen for another day or use it in one of these recipes containing coconut milk

Cooking Lentil Curry in a Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

I haven't yet tested this in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, you would definitely want to reduce the amount of liquid used, as it won't reduce down like on a stove top. I also recommend making the paste part on the stove or using the saute method of the Instant Pot to ensure you develop all those flavours, before setting it to cook.

If adding cooked chicken as per the recipe, then add that in at the end with the coconut milk to ensure the chicken is not overcooked and dry.

More Lentil Recipes

Looking for some other delicious lentil recipes? Check out these:

  • BACON AND LENTIL SOUP
  • TACO LENTIL SOUP (INSTANT POT OR STOVE TOP)
  • LENTIL CHEDDAR SWEETCORN BAKE
  • ONE POT SAUSAGE AND LENTIL CASSEROLE
  • LENTIL BOLOGNESE
  • CHICKEN AND LENTIL SOUP
  • SPICY CARROT AND LENTIL SOUP
  • LENTIL CURRY (INSTANT POT AND STOVE TOP)

or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients, value and smart points etc

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Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry

Yield: SERVES 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry - rich and creamy easy Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry using leftover cooked chicken to make this ready and on the table in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the curry paste

  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tbs of freshly grated ginger
  • 2 green chillies, deseeded and chopped​
  • 1 teaspoon of chilli powder (I use a mild chilli powder)
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
  • 1.5 teaspoons of turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • ½ cup of water

For the curry

  • 1 cup (190g) of dried green lentils, rinsed
  • 3 cups (720ml)of water
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 cups (250g) of diced cooked chicken (breast)
  • 1 cup (240ml) of coconut milk
  • cooking oil spray (I use avocado)
  • fresh coriander​

Instructions

  1. Spray a deep frying pan or saucepan over a medium high heat with cooking oil spray.
  2. Add the onion and fry for a couple of minutes to soften, add in a little splash of water to prevent from burning (if needed)
  3. Add in the garlic, ginger, chillies, chilli powder, cumin, coriander and turmeric and continue to fry for about a minute just to infuse all the flavour.
  4. Add the paste to a mini food processor with the tomato paste (puree) and half a cup of water and blend to a paste.
  5. Add the paste back to the pan with the lentils and 3 cups of water, salt and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until lentils are tender, stir a few times through cooking to prevent any sticking to the bottom (if you prefer a softer lentil you can cook for a little longer (note: you may need some more water, if it is all absorbed).
  6. Once lentils are cooked, add in the two cups of cooked chicken and cup of coconnt milk and continue to simmer until chicken is heated through and curry is creamy.
  7. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
  8. Serve with fresh coriander and your choice of sides and enjoy!!

Notes

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  • Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
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Nutrition Information

Yield 4Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per ServingCalories 323Total Fat 10.5gSaturated Fat 6.4gTrans Fat 0gCholesterol 40mgSodium 598mgCarbohydrates 30.2gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 3.6gSugar 2.2gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 26.5g

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Coconut Chicken and Lentil Curry | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why do people add coconut milk to curry? ›

Coconut milk or water both give the dish different tastes and consistency. Coconut milk as a curry sauce base makes the dish creamy, sweet and give it a thicker consistency. The sweetness of the milk reduces the sharpness of spices and heat making the dish a little mild.

Is curry better with coconut milk? ›

If you're a fan of Thai curries or Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, canned coconut milk likely has a permanent spot on your grocery list. A few splashes add a creamy richness and nutty, slightly sweet flavor to everything from soups to desserts.

How long is coconut chicken curry good for? ›

Coconut Chicken Curry will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. Can this dish be made with different proteins? Yes, this dish can be made with different proteins such as tofu or shrimp, or even lamb or beef.

Do you put garlic in curry? ›

For this basic, starter curry, it's not necessary to add ginger and garlic but if you decide to do so, add it to the onions, once they are soft, grate an inch of ginger and two garlic cloves crushed will be fine.

How do Thai restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

Often, Thai curries are made using coconut milk as the main liquid, which results in a creamy consistency. You can use as much or as little coconut milk as you wish based on your preference for texture, spice, and flavor.

What is better for curry coconut milk or coconut cream? ›

It is thicker, has a higher fat content and is scoop-able throughout. Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

Is yogurt or cream best for curry? ›

A Yes, you can use cream or crème fraîche in your curries. What you will get is the same delicious creamy quality to the curry as if you had used yogurt, but it will simply be a little sweeter and milder in taste. You should spice your curry with this in mind.

When not to use coconut milk? ›

For example, if consuming products that are low in fat is a priority, coconut milk may not be your best choice due to its high fat content, which contributes most of the calories of coconut milk. In addition, regarding protein content, cow's milk and soy milk have more protein than coconut milk and almond milk.

Is Greek yogurt or cream better for curry? ›

While cream and Greek yogurt are both dairy products, they have different textures and flavors, so substituting one for the other can affect the taste and consistency of the dish. In Tikka Masala, Greek yogurt is often used to provide a tangy and creamy base for the sauce, while cream adds richness and sweetness.

What veggies are good in curry? ›

The curry base is made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and garam masala. I prefer to go with potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, corn and bell peppers. Though you can use other veggies like baby corn, sweet potato and broccoli, the curry will have different flavors.

How do you thicken coconut curry? ›

Use wheat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour plus a fat (like ghee, olive oil, or coconut oil) in equal amounts. Cook both ingredients for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, then add your curry ingredients. Once the whole curry dish comes to a boil, the sauce will thicken.

What can I use instead of curry powder? ›

Cumin and chili powder work together as a swap-out ingredient for curry powder that deliver spicy warming notes. These spices work with meat dishes, stews and curries.

What is the secret to perfect curry? ›

Slow-cooking your curry can make all the difference. Since onions form the base of most curries, getting them right is crucial. Anjum Anand suggests cooking them slowly, until soft, then increasing the heat to colour them. 'The deeper their colour, the more flavour,' says.

What is the secret ingredient for curry? ›

The sweetness of the honey is the perfect partner for the diverse flavors of curry, including the heat of spices like black pepper or chili pepper, the brightness of fresh ginger, the smokiness of black cardamom, and the earthy notes of turmeric. Honey makes for a great background flavor in more complex curries.

Do you cook onions before putting in curry? ›

Cooking onions is important for two main reasons. Firstly, it makes them easier to digest, as the high acidity of onion drops during the cooking process. Secondly, the sugars are released and broken down into smaller molecules that our tastebuds can detect - more cooking results in more sweetness.

At what point do you add coconut milk to curry? ›

Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

Does traditional Indian curry use coconut milk? ›

Yes, coconut milk is very much used in Indian cooking especially in the coastal areas. In Kerala the southern state of India, we use it mostly in the meat and sea food based dishes, desserts, or any stew/gravy you would like to .. well, we use a lot of grated coconut and coconu...

Will coconut milk thicken a curry? ›

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Is coconut milk necessary for Thai curry? ›

Most Thai curries, other than Jungle curry, use coconut milk to add the texture and sweetness to the dish, so it is very important to use a good quality "full fat" coconut milk. The low-fat varieties are not worth the compromise.

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