Curry is a delicious dish originating from India. When introduced to Vietnam, curry was adapted with Vietnamese ingredients and spices to better suit the local palate. There are many different versions of curry, such as chicken, goat, beef, lamb, Thai-style, and Japanese-style curry. Chicken curry is a favorite dish for many because of its tender, fragrant meat; potatoes that remain intact with a slightly crispy exterior and soft interior; and a rich golden sauce with a sweet and creamy flavor from coconut milk. This is a nutritious, delicious, and enticing dish that leaves a lasting impression.
The detailed guide from Food Vietnamese on how to cook fragrant and rich chicken curry with coconut milk below will help you add variety to your family meals.
Ingredients for Chicken Curry:
- Free-range chicken: 1 chicken weighing about 1.5 – 2 kg
- Taro: 1 piece
- Sweet potato: 1 piece
- Onion: 1 bulb
- Carrot: 1 piece
- Lemongrass: 3 stalks
- Chili: 2, finely chopped
- Garlic: 4 cloves
- Shallots: 3 bulbs
- Cornstarch: 2 teaspoons
- Curry powder (or curry paste): 1 packet
- Five-spice powder: 1 packet
- Chicken broth: 1 bowl
- Coconut milk: 300 ml
- Seasonings: Salt, sugar, MSG, seasoning powder, fish sauce, annatto oil, pepper
- Fresh noodles or bread to accompany, basil leaves
Notes on selecting chicken:
It’s best to choose free-range chickens weighing around 1.5 – 2 kg, as they tend to be slightly tougher, which results in firmer and more flavorful meat when stewed. If you cannot find free-range chickens, you can opt for industrially raised chickens, but make sure they are older birds.
Choose chickens with thin, smooth skin that is light yellow and highly elastic. Opt for chickens with a compact and firm body, a small, narrow breast, and meat that is pale pink to white. Avoid buying chickens with gray, dull, or unnatural-colored meat.
How to Cook Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Peel and finely chop the garlic and shallots. Remove the outer leaves of the lemongrass, trim the ends, and crush them with a pestle to release the aroma. Peel the onion and cut it into wedges.
Peel the taro and sweet potato, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and soak them in diluted salt water to reduce the sap. Then, drain them well. Fry them in a separate pan until they are golden and crispy on the outside to prevent them from falling apart when stewed.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Once you have purchased the chicken, which has already been plucked, rub it with lemon and coarse salt to remove any odor. Rinse it thoroughly, let it drain, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
You can also remove the chicken’s odor by using rice vinegar mixed with a little salt and crushed ginger. Rub this mixture over the entire chicken and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Avoid cutting the pieces too small; cut the chicken into larger pieces, about 6-7 cm, since the meat will shrink during cooking.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken with Spices
Marinate the chicken with a mixture of chopped garlic, shallots, curry powder, five-spice powder, crushed lemongrass, along with sugar, pepper, salt, chili, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of seasoning powder, and 2 teaspoons of annatto oil. Mix the ingredients well so the chicken absorbs the flavors, then let it marinate for about 1-2 hours.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Curry
Place a pan on the stove with a bit of cooking oil, and briefly fry the garlic and lemongrass to enhance the dish’s aroma. Then add the marinated chicken and stir-fry over high heat until the chicken firms up.
Next, pour in enough chicken broth to cover the meat and simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes. Once the chicken is tender, add the vegetables to the pot and continue cooking until the potatoes are soft. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Finally, add 200 ml of coconut milk and the onion wedges, cook for a little longer, and then turn off the heat.
Step 5: Final Dish
Once cooked, the chicken curry will have a fragrant aroma and a rich flavor, blending the herbal scent of curry spices with the natural aroma of the chicken. The sauce will have a beautiful golden color and a slightly thick or somewhat runny consistency, thanks to the combination of curry spices.
After cooking, the chicken curry is typically served on a large plate or bowl, accompanied by white rice, bread, or noodles, all of which pair wonderfully with the dish. You can garnish the dish with a bit of fresh herbs like cilantro, aromatic herbs, or scallions to enhance the flavor and add an appealing touch of color.
Tips for Cooking Delicious Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
Making your own coconut milk from fresh coconuts instead of using store-bought coconut milk will enhance the richness and flavor of the curry. Grate fresh coconut and press it to extract the milk, or use a blender to obtain the coconut milk.
Key spices in chicken curry include curry powder, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and basil.
Fry the chicken until the meat is firm and golden to retain its flavor and tenderness inside after cooking.
When cooking curry, simmer over low heat slowly so that the chicken and vegetables become tender while allowing the spices to penetrate the food. This helps create a well-cooked curry with evenly absorbed flavors, an amazing aroma, and delicious taste. When serving, don’t forget to add a bit of basil to enhance the fragrance and reduce greasiness.
Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Curry
Chicken curry contains antioxidants that improve blood circulation, especially for those at risk of atherosclerosis. Curry helps prevent atherosclerosis, ensuring the proper functioning of the circulatory system. It also prevents the adhesion of platelets and white blood cells to the vessel walls, ensuring good blood flow.
Curry powder often contains turmeric, which is a substance that protects the body against various types of cancer. Curcumin in turmeric helps stimulate the immune system, remove excess plaque in neurotransmitters, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
We hope this article from FoodVietnamese.com helps you achieve an authentic Vietnamese chicken curry recipe. Get into the kitchen and prepare this tender, spicy chicken curry infused with the creamy flavor of coconut milk, the nutty taste of potatoes, and the rich, smooth texture of carrots to treat your family over the weekend.
