Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce

4.5 from 155 votes

Recipe by Danelle

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Posted July 10, 2024Last Updated October 28, 2024

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Tender chunks of chicken are simmered in a coconut milk based sauce with plenty of basil and Indian spices.

Coconut milk based curries are one of my absolute favorites, and this Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce is no exception.

The slightly spicy, creamy sauce is a perfect compliment to the chicken in this dish. This would also be wonderful with the addition potatoes or other vegetables, or with shrimp instead of chicken.

“This is DELICIOUS! I’ve made it several times now and we love it! Thank you.”

Sahm

Despite the lengthy looking ingredient list, this chicken curry comes together easily. Just make sure you leave enough time to marinate the chicken.

The longer, the better, of course, but even if you forget and throw it all together at the last minute, it will still be delicious.

I know this because I usually forget to throw it all together until the last minute.

Tips for making this recipe

Take your time — good curry doesn’t have to take hours but you do want to allow ingredients such as onions to cook properly for the most flavor.
Don’t be afraid to be generous with your spices. If you do go a little overboard with your seasonings, add a squeeze of lemon juice to neutralize the excess.
Serve toppings with your curry, like peanuts, golden raisins, green onions, chopped cilantro, coconut or toasted sesame seeds. They can add even more depth of flavor to your curry dish.

My husband is not a big curry fan, but my kids devoured this, and to my surprise, they all asked for seconds. There’s nothing I love more than a meal my kids eat without complaint.

And even my husband had to concede that this chicken was delicious.

“This was a truly delicious recipe!”

Crissy

I recommend serving this over some hot cooked rice. I also like to throw in a handful of freshly chopped basil just before serving if I have some handy.

If you’ve never tried curry before, this recipe is a great place to start, since the flavors are pretty mild. Like I said, even my husband liked it more than most curries he’s tried.

One thing is for sure, this easy Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce recipe will be making a repeat appearance at our dinner table very soon.

What should I serve with?

Rice is a must with any curry dish, as far as I’m concerned, but don’t stop there. Middle-eastern style salads, breads, and roasted vegetables are also great with this dish.

Here are some of our favorite things (besides rice) to serve with this chicken curry.

Roasted Curried Cauliflower — **Moroccan Roasted Potatoes**

FAQS

How can I lighten up this recipe?

Feel free to use light coconut milk in this recipe. You can also replace the cream with half and half or milk. The sauce won’t be as thick, but the end result will still be delicious!

Can I make this curry more or less spicy?

Of course! Feel free to adjust the amount of jalapeno peppers and other spices to make the dish your own.

What can I substitute for coconut milk?

Almond, soy or oat milk are all good substitutes. You can even use Greek yogurt in place of coconut milk.

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what do I need to make this recipe?

Chicken – I use chicken breasts, but any part of the chicken works
Spices: curry powder, salt and pepper, chili powder, basil, ginger
Olive oil
Red onion – white or yellow work too, and so do shallots
Garlic
Jalapeno – seeded with ribs removed
Coconut milk – regular or light
Cream
Cornstarch
Rice, for serving

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