22-Minute Coconut Chicken Curry

A quick and flavorful curry combining tender chicken pieces with coconut milk, aromatic spices, and fresh spinach. This Indian-inspired dish features a creamy sauce made with curry powder, ginger, and garlic, topped with optional crunchy cashews and mustard seeds.

4 servings
22 min

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • teaspoons mild curry powder
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut or vegetable oil
  • ½ medium onion
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 piece ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • teaspoons yellow and/or black mustard seeds
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • to taste cilantro leaves and rice or naan

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Toss chicken with curry powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

    2 min

  2. 2.

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet (at least 12" in diameter) over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Purée coconut milk, ginger, and garlic in a blender until very smooth.

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Add chicken and coconut milk mixture to skillet and cook, tossing occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, 7-10 minutes.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Meanwhile, if using, heat 2 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium. Add cashews and mustard seeds and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Immediately transfer mixture including the oil to a small bowl.

    3 min

  6. 6.

    Fold spinach into chicken mixture and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Divide among 4 bowls. Top with cilantro and cashew mixture, if using. Serve with rice or naan alongside.

    2 min

  7. 7.

    Editor's note: This article has been updated as a part of our archive repair project.