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This Simple Coconut Chicken Curry with sweet sesame mango is full of yummy Indian-inspired flavors and is so quick to make. Made with flavorful yellow curry powder and red curry paste, lots of ginger, garlic, and creamy coconut milk. The chicken is simmered in the sauce with garden broccoli and served with a bright mango topping. A side of rice soaks up all that yummy curry sauce, so delicious. I highly recommend some fresh, warm naan too!
For the past few summers, every time the warm weather arrives, I lean more and more into creating only the simplest of recipes. Just like all of you, I want to be outside spending time chilling, hanging with family, or just enjoying the sun.
Plus, life in general is just busy. We’re traveling, entertaining, and pretty soon, we’ll all be heading back to school. That’s when things get really crazy busy.
Point is, I’m here for the simple recipes, the quick recipes, but most importantly, flavorful recipes.
So how do you make quick dinners actually taste good? Well, thankfully that’s my job. And with some thinking, I figured out a pretty good formula that really seems to work.
Use spices, use sauces, and use some help from the store. Which is exactly how I made this curry!
Fun fact about this recipe? It’s one of the very first recipes I shared with you all – way back in February of 2014. I updated it, but not by much, I just made it a little easier.
The process is simple
Grab a big skillet, toss the oil with the chicken, and stir in a mix of yellow curry powder and red curry paste. Then add tomato paste, butter, garlic, and ginger. Let that salty butter brown around the chicken, then toss in lots of fresh broccoli and pour over a can of coconut milk.
Once you’ve added the coconut milk, simmer the chicken in the sauce until it’s cooked through, no more than 8 minutes. Then stir in some cilantro and you’re done.
Easy, easy.
While the chicken cooks, I dress up some sweet mango. This is totally extra, but we love a bright pop of color and the sweet flavor alongside the spicy curry is delicious.
Toss the mango with cilantro, sesame seeds, lemon, and a pinch of chili flakes. Sometimes I throw in some mint too. This was not part of the original recipe, but we sure do love it.
The mango ended up being just what the dish needed to really elevate it to a special level.
For serving, keep it simple, steamed rice and lots of cilantro with a side of naan.
This dish is definitely becoming a quick, weeknight family favorite. Creighton has always loved this recipe, and the rest of the family enjoys it too. Even my dad, who’s not really a curry fan, thinks the sauce is delicious!
Looking for other quick summer curries? Here are some favorites:
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Saucy Coconut Curry with Rice Noodles and Garden Vegetables
Weeknight 30 Minute Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs
20 Minute Red Curry Basil Garlic Oil Noodles
Lastly, if you make this Simple Coconut Chicken Curry be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Simple Coconut Chicken Curry
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 435 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 2 tablespoons regular or spicy curry powder
- 3-4 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 2 1/2 cups canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- 1. In a large skillet, combine the oil, chicken, curry powder, and a pinch of salt. Set over medium-high heat, then cook 3 minutes. Add the curry paste, tomato paste, butter, garlic, and ginger. Cook another 2 minutes. 2. Add the broccoli, then pour in the coconut milk. Season with salt. Cook 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.3. Stir in the cilantro. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice and with mango topping on the side (recipe below).
Sesame mango topping
- 1. In a bowl, mix 1 diced mango, 1 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a pinch of chili flakes. Serve with the chicken.
Hey Tieghan,
Can I substitute green curry paste for the red one??
Thanks!
Hi Leah,
You bet, that would work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Tasty and easy! I embraced the Thai flavors and added fish sauce and some kaffir lime leaves as the chicken cooked, then added the broccoli later. Completely forgot to make the mango but I’m sure that would have added an extra delicious dimension. Thank you for another great recipe.
Hi Holly,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:)
Sadly I’m allergic to mango. Any suggestions as to what else I could use?
Pineapple would be a wonderful substitute for the mango.
Hi Renee,
Pineapple or peaches would also be great to use. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Made this tonight and it was so incredibly easy. The mango topping made it!!
I accidentally only bought one can of coconut milk and the recipe called for 2, so it was extra spicy and a bit less sauce than expected, but it was still wonderful! I may increase the spices by 1/4 or so to achieve the same spice level with more coconut milk.
Hey Georgina,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
This was so good! I had trouble getting the sauce to thicken, any suggestions? Also is there a side dish you think this might pair well with (for a dinner party)?
Hi Dana,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! I would just simmer the sauce longer to thicken and then I like to serve with naan. xTieghan
I just made this for the first time tonight. I love how easy and versatile it is, but I agree with one of the above commenters that it’s missing something. Maybe a little fish sauce? Or maybe it’s one of those dishes that needs to sit overnight. Luckily, I have leftovers!
Hey Shannon,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for trying it out! Fish sauce might be yummy! Have a great weekend:)
I love love this recipe! I’ve had it 2 times now and it’s so delicious. However…. I feel like there is an ingredient missing but can’t figure out what it is!! Needs a certain flavor added to it. 🙂
Hi Tayler,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! So sorry, let me know if you figure that out:) xT
I agree that something is missing and I think maybe it’s fish sauce. Or! Wait! What about a squeeze of lime!
Made this tonight and it was so tasty! Thank you for the stellar recipe!
Hey Gin,
Perfect! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! xx
so simple and so delicious
very easy to make as well and pairs well with almost anything!
had my bowl with green beans instead of broccoli
Hi there,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great day:)
Sesame oil substitute? Without losing too much flavor? Allergy alert? Thanks so much
Hi Lauren,
How about peanut oil? Can you use that? Let me know! xx
Tieghan, This was incredibly delicious! And I expect leftovers tomorrow will be even better. The mango salsa puts the flavor over the top. Thanks for yet another winning recipe. As we were eating this tonight, I was telling my husband about you and your culinary talents. You are a Superstar!!!!!
Hi Susan,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your kind message? xTieghan
I can’t seem to get the sauce to thicken. Any recommendations?
Hi Christina,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! I would allow the sauce to simmer a bit longer until it reaches the thickness of your liking. I hope you love the dish! xT
Made everything and added some naan I defrosted. Sooo delish. My house smelled so good and we had plenty of left overs. Thanks Tieghan!
Hey Miranda,
Fantastic! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xx
so simple to follow this recipe, and easy enough to be made during lunch on a WFH day!
Hi Amanda,
Happy Friday!? Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
Very easy and good! I made it for myself, a smaller recipe, as my husband wasn’t around for dinner. And now I have leftovers too! Delicious! Thank you for a great recipe.
Hey Alene,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out:)