Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice
A fragrant one-pot meal of tender chicken simmered in a creamy coconut curry sauce, served over fluffy coconut rice. This caribbean-inspired one pot ready in about 55 minutes pairs vegetable oil, finely chopped onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 491 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1/4 cup (for serving) coconut milk
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 minced tbsp fresh ginger, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp curry powder and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces) and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 cup jasmine rice to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup coconut milk and season with salt to taste. Let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Curried Chicken and Coconut Rice?
Caribbean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.