• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact

Encore & More logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Published: Jul 20, 2022 · Modified: Aug 2, 2022 by Yvonne

    Healthy Chicken Curry

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This healthy chicken curry is comforting all around and ready in 30 minutes. Serve with whole-wheat naan or rice for scooping out the ultra-creamy sauce when indulging.

    Jump to recipe
    • Indulgent but healthy
    • Calories in chicken curry
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Top tip
    • More comforting recipes
    • Healthy Chicken Curry

    Indulgent but healthy

    Ever craved curry but didn’t have curry paste at home? I’ve been in this situation multiple times, which brings me to the developing process of this recipe. Because this healthy chicken curry is a creation out of desperation. I used the spices I had at home to mimic a curry paste but with fewer ingredients needed. It turned out amazing, so I needed to share this recipe with you.

    The savoury, creamy and spicy curry is the ultimate comfort food. It is super easy to make, only takes half an hour and bursts with heavenly flavours. Need I say more?

    For an easy vegan option, try my Quick Yellow Vegetable Curry which does without curry paste.

    Calories in chicken curry

    Most curries contain lots of butter, oil and other saturated fats, making them a calorie bomb with simple carbs. I tried to keep it light with this creamy curry chicken without compromising on flavour.

    The result: A healthy chicken curry that clocks in at just 396 calories and fits perfectly into a balanced meal plan. Moreover, this dish is keto-friendly when served with cauliflower rice.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken breasts – I use boneless and skinless chicken breast for a lean protein option.
    • Onion – I used yellow onion because they develop a perfectly savoury and slightly sweet flavour, perfect for the curry.
    • Garlic – Always use fresh garlic for the best taste.
    • Ginger – The anti-inflammatory spice is a staple in curries and brings so much flavour.
    • Vegetable oil – Use light-tasting vegetable oil like canola or rapeseed oil for the curry. You can also opt for coconut oil to intensify the coconut flavour.
    • Tomato paste – To get a subtle tomato flavour, I added tomato paste instead of fresh tomatoes. Using fresh tomatoes would be too overpowering for this curry.
    • Coconut milk – The coconut milk makes the sauce ultra-creamy and adds the beloved coconut flavour to the curry.
    • Chicken stock – I keep it light by adding chicken stock with coconut milk.
    • Curry powder – Yellow curry powder in combination with the other spices makes for a flavourful sauce.
    • Coriander – It is important to use ground, not fresh coriander, in this curry. Fresh coriander has a totally different taste but makes for a good garnish for this curry.
    • Cinnamon stick – You can substitute the cinnamon stick for ½ tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
    • Red pepper flakes – If you like it spicy, add red pepper flakes.
    • Salt – A little salt is enough for this curry because the other spices bring so much flavour.
    • Cornstarch – You can also use potato starch or flour as a substitute to thicken the sauce if needed.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    creamy chicken curry in bowl on grey background with ingredients in bowls

    Instructions

    1. Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks. Peel and finely dice the onion and garlic and grate the ginger.
    2. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saucepan on high heat. Transfer the chicken chunks to the saucepan and roast them for 2-3 minutes until slightly browned. Remove them from the pot and set them aside.
    3. Add the other tablespoon of vegetable oil into the same pot. Turn down the heat to medium and add the onion. Roast for about a minute, and add ginger, garlic, tomato paste, curry powder, coriander, salt, and red pepper flakes (optional). Roast the spices for a couple of seconds and add coconut milk, chicken stock and cinnamon stick.
    4. Add the chicken back in, put on a lid and let the curry cook on low to medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you want the sauce to be thicker, sift in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and stir well.
    5. Remove the cinnamon stick when the curry is cooked, sprinkle with cilantro or parsley and serve with whole-wheat rice and naan.
    creamy chicken curry in bowl on grey background with ingredients in bowls

    Recipe FAQs

    Can this healthy chicken curry be made in advance? 

    This dish is ideal for meal prep. Cook a big batch on the weekend, store portioned and eat during the week.

    What do I serve with this chicken curry? 

    To keep this meal balanced, serve it with whole-wheat rice or naan. 

    How long can this curry be stored? 

    Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it an ideal meal-prep dish for busy weeks. Want to keep it longer? Freeze it in portions for up to 3 months and have a comforting meal ready when you crave it.

    Top tip

    This curry is excellent for meal prep. Prepare a big batch, portion it and store in the freezer for up to 5 days. Perfect as a nourishing and comforting lunch or dinner warmed in seconds.

    creamy chicken curry in bowl on grey background with ingredients in bowls

    More comforting recipes

    Quick Yellow Vegetable Curry

    Coconut Curry Poached Chicken

    Potato Pepper Chorizo Goulash

    North African-Style Beef Chili

    creamy chicken curry in bowl on grey background with ingredients in bowls

    Healthy Chicken Curry

    Yvonne
    This Healthy Curry Chicken is comforting all around and ready in 30 minutes. Serve with whole-wheat naan or rice for scooping out the ultra-creamy sauce when indulging. 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 396 kcal

    Equipment

    • saucepan
    • cooking spoon
    • chopping board
    • knife
    • bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 400 g boneless skinless chicken breasts (0.9 lb)
    • 1 medium yellow onion
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
    • 2 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil
    • 400 ml coconut milk (full-fat)
    • 100 ml chicken stock (½ cup)
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon mild curry powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks. Peel and finely dice the onion and garlic and grate the ginger.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saucepan on high heat. Transfer the chicken chunks to the saucepan and roast them for 2-3 minutes until slightly browned. Remove them from the pot and set them aside.
    • Add the other tablespoon of vegetable oil into the same pot. Turn down the heat to medium and add the onion. Roast for about a minute, and add ginger, garlic, tomato paste, curry powder, coriander, salt, and red pepper flakes (optional). Roast the spices for a couple of seconds and add coconut milk, chicken stock and cinnamon stick.
    • Add chicken back in, put on a lid and let the curry cook on low to medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you want the sauce to be thicker, sift in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and stir well.
    • Remove the cinnamon stick when the curry is cooked, sprinkle with cilantro or parsley and serve with whole-wheat rice and naan.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 396kcal
    Tried this recipe?Mention @encore_more or tag #encoremore on Instagram!

    Nutritional values are estimates only calculated with online tools. The author of this website is not a nutritionist nor a doctor. All nutritional data provided in the recipes and correspondent blog posts are for informational purposes only. Do not use the information as nutritional or medical advice.

    More Recipes

    • Caprese Tortilla Pizza
    • Salmon Teriyaki Bowl
    • Very Berry Caipiroska
    • Healthy Mixed Berry Compote

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Yvonne! Welcome to my world of deliciously healthy food. Here you'll find recipes that are flavourful, seasonal and approachable. Ready to indulge?

    More about me →

    Connect with me

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Summer Recipes

    • Stone Fruit Salad
    • Frozen Strawberry Yoghurt Protein Bites
    • Mango Hot Sauce
    • 5-Ingredient Roasted Tomato Soup
    • Plum And Apple Crumble (refined sugar-free)
    • Watermelon Cardamom Granita

    Recent Recipes

    • Homemade Pita Chips
    • Healthy Chicken Curry
    • Caprese Tortilla Pizza
    • Very Berry Caipiroska

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    More

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Imprint

    Cookie Policy (EU)

    Recipe Index

    Breakfast

    Main Dishes

    Snacks & Sides

    Sweet Treats

    Drinks

    Contact

    Have questions or concerns?

    Get in touch

    Copyright © 2022 Encore & More. All rights reserved.

    Manage Cookie Consent
    We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}