Indian Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What does adding coconut milk do to a 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.

“Coconut cream is used in both desserts and curries, especially in Thai cuisine, where it serves as a base for cooking curry paste until the oil separates, enhancing the dish with a richer, more fragrant flavor and coconut milk is added in later for more body to the curries,” Suansilphong says.

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.

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to a dish to prevent curdling of coconut milk. Adding cornstarch will also thicken the sauce, so don't use it if you're making a dish that requires a thin sauce.

Chicken Korma Curry (India)

And what's more – they're full of creamy coconut milk! Try your hand at this delicious homemade spice mix, combining ground cashews with ginger, cloves, cumin, coriander, Garam Masala, turmeric, paprika and chilli.

Another simple way to improve the taste of bland curries is by adding some slightly roasted onions, garlic, ginger. You can toss or caramelize them separately and add them to the curry and simmer for sometime so that it can absorb the flavours.

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

Popular choices include Tandoori Chicken or Tandoori Paneer (cottage cheese). These dishes are not only lower in calories and saturated fats compared to their fried counterparts but also retain the essence of Indian flavors.

If your supermarket has a brand of dahi or Greek yogurt then use that in curries. Tangy creamy yogurt is the best in Indian cuisine.

Should I use unsweetened coconut milk for curry? ›

What's the Best Coconut Milk for Coconut Curry? We prefer using sweetened canned coconut milk by a brand called Thai Kitchen. If you can't find sweetened coconut milk, unsweetened will also work.

The use of cream and yoghurt can help to deliver balance to a curry dish, adding flavour whilst simultaneously mellowing the heat of the dish. At Freshways, we are a dairy supplier who believes that the addition of yoghurt and cream can embellish almost any curry dish.

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.

Now just in case you want to get rid of the coconut milk taste simply add some curry paste(without coconut) or simply add some garam masala, this should get rid of the coconut milk taste.

Add lemon juice and salt to taste. Add in the chicken and continue to simmer the curry in the skillet on medium-low to medium until the chicken is cooked through. Once the chicken has cooked through, add in the heavy whipping cream and stir.

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

Whether you're making a Thai curry or any other coconut-based curry, the addition of coconut milk or cream can make a significant difference in reducing the spice level. It provides a cooling effect to the palate, making the curry more enjoyable for those who prefer milder flavors.

Great for your immune system since coconuts are anti-bacterial, anti-parasite, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Helps your digestion absorb more minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. Helps manage and improve insulin secretion for people with diabetes. Improves good cholesterol which reduces the risk of heart problems.

Cooking: Coconut milk adds important flavor to certain dishes like Thai curry and can be used instead of dairy milk in things like creamy pasta sauces. Ice cream: Coconut milk can serve as a base for ice cream instead of dairy milk and maintain the creamy texture.