Slow Cooker Nut-Free Thai Coconut Curry

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A creamy, aromatic coconut curry with chicken and vegetables, slow cooked to tender perfection without any nuts, suitable for Whole30 reintroduction testing. This thai-inspired chicken (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 375 minutes pairs carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk (full fat)
• 2 tbsp red curry paste (Whole30 compliant)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 1 medium diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Transfer the sautéed aromatics to a slow cooker. Add 1.5 lbs cut chicken thighs, 3 sliced carrots, 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, 1 can (14 oz) full-fat coconut milk, 2 tbsp red curry paste, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp salt.
3. Step 3: Stir ingredients in the slow cooker to combine well. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
4. Step 4: Just before serving, stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for a bright finish.