NEW RECIPE: Quick Coconut Curried Chicken

© Constantine William Spyrou

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved curry chicken. It has a nice mild heat and great flavor, and goes very well with rice, which was a staple in my Asian mom-run household. In college, its hard to make a really nice curry chicken stew with onions, potatoes, etc. because it costs a lot of money. However, if you can bring a spice rack from home, all you need is rice (which is a college staple), soy sauce, chicken, and coconut milk, and you're set to make this dish! It will be warming and delicious without being overly spicy. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pounds chicken breast, cut into tenders
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Madras curry powder (or any yellow curry powder) 
• 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
• 1/2 tablespoon coriander
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Green Onion, Chopped, for garnish
• Avocado oil (any neutral-flavored oil will also work)

Cooking:

Massage the salt and pepper into the chicken cubes so they are nicely coated with seasoning. In a hot pan, add a small amount of canola oil. When it just starts to smoke, add chicken pieces. Brown on each side until each side starts to turn brown. When each side is browned, deglaze the pan with coconut milk by adding it then folding around the coconut milk and chicken in order to help get the drippings of the bottom of the pan. Add soy sauce and the rest of your spices, and milk well. The coconut milk should go an orange-yellow, and the chicken should be coated with the sauce evenly. Lower the heat and let the chicken simmer uncovered for 5 minutes so that the sauce can reduce. Once its cooled, the sauce will be slightly thick as a result. Cover the chicken afterward and cook for about 15 minutes. Serve the curry chicken with rice (or naan bread or other bread if you so desire.)

Again, this recipe is super simple, which is why I love it so much. It makes cooking extremely quick and efficient. You guys should try to make it and let me know what you think and if you would modify it in any way! Enjoy!