Tamarind-Coconut Chicken Curry
A fragrant Peranakan-inspired curry with tender chicken simmered in coconut milk and tamarind, finished with kaffir lime leaves. This Singaporean-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, coconut milk, tamarind paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 lb, boneless and skinless chicken thighs
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, torn kaffir lime leaves
- 2, sliced (optional) chili peppers
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Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp curry powder and 1/2 tsp turmeric, cooking for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Step 5: Add the chicken cubes and cook for 3 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp tamarind paste and 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk, then add 3 torn kaffir lime leaves and 2 sliced chili peppers (if using).
- Step 7: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 8: Remove kaffir lime leaves before serving.








