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- How To Make Coconut Curry Chicken
- Can You Eat Curry On A Keto Diet?
- How Many Carbs In Chicken Curry?
- How To Use Coconut Milk In Curry
- How To Make Coconut Chicken Curry Ahead Of Time
- How To Freeze Keto Chicken Curry
- What to Serve with Coconut Cream Curry
- Tools To Make Coconut Curry Chicken
- Coconut Curry Chicken: A Keto Low Carb Curry Recipe
Have you been missing your favorite Indian takeout meal? Then this low carb chicken curry recipe is for you! It’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Coconut curry chicken is rich and warming, with a little spice and a whole lot of coconut cream curry flavor. I serve this keto chicken curry recipe over cauliflower rice for a classic taste, but it would also be fantastic over zoodles!
Indian restaurants can be tricky to navigate on a low carb or keto diet. There are all the sides – the rice, the naan. None of them work for us! Then it’s hard to know what is in all of the rich stews and curries. Are they low carb? Are they not? Are there potatoes or cornstarch in there?
And even if you aren’t low carb, no one wants processed ingredients in their coconut chicken curry, right?
So, we’re just going to make it ourselves! Sound good?
How To Make Coconut Curry Chicken
Coconut cream curry is one of those ethnic dishes that’s a little intimidating to make at home. At least it was for me. But then I made it and I don’t know what I waited so long! Let me show you how to make easy chicken curry with coconut cream:
First we saute the diced onions in a pan. Get them as brown as you like – I like them almost caramelized.
Next, you’ll push the onions off to the side and brown the chicken. You don’t need to worry about the chicken cooking through, it will continue cooking throughout the process.
Then you’ll add the tomatoes, coconut cream, and all of the spices and let it simmer away.
You can simmer it to your liking to make thinner or thicker coconut curry chicken. Up to you!
Can You Eat Curry On A Keto Diet?
You can eat curry on a keto diet – but it’s got to be this keto curry recipe! 😉 Because there are so many different curry recipes and styles, it definitely depends on the recipe. Many curries are made with higher carb vegetables like potatoes and peas, which are definitely not low carb or keto friendly.
How Many Carbs In Chicken Curry?
So you might be wondering, how many carbs are in chicken curry? One serving of my keto chicken curry has just 6 net carbs! Pretty great, huh? The full nutrition stats can be found below the recipe card, but here are the highlights, per serving of coconut cream curry:
- 251 calories
- 8 grams total carbs
- 6 grams net carbs
- 14 grams protein
How To Use Coconut Milk In Curry
It’s best to use coconut milk in curry dishes. Not only does it make the dish dairy-free (which is important for some!), it also means that it’s paleo and whole30 compliant, AND it imparts a delicious flavor that would be sorely missed if it wasn’t included.
PRO TIP: This is the important secret trick for making coconut curry chicken – you don’t want to miss it! The best way to use coconut milk in curry is to use only the coconut cream portion of the canned coconut milk. The curry will still taste good and be creamy, but if you want your curry to taste like it came from an Indian restaurant (which you do!), only use the cream. Thanks to my friend and team member, Emily from My Everyday Table, for this tip!
Most cans of coconut will have directions to shake the cans before using. DON’T do this. Simply open the can and scoop out the thick cream portion.
How To Make Coconut Chicken Curry Ahead Of Time
You can absolutely make low carb chicken curry ahead of time! In fact, it’s similar to soups and chilis where it gets even better after a day in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container and simply reheat on the stove or microwave until hot. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water or broth, or even a bit more coconut cream.
PRO TIP: Store curry in a glass container, it will stain some plastic storage containers.
How To Freeze Keto Chicken Curry
Stews like this low carb chicken curry recipe freeze quite well. Once the chicken curry with coconut cream has cooled, store it in a glass or plastic container (see note above if using plastic!) or to save room in the freezer, put it into a freezer bag and lay it flat so that it freezes flat. Once it’s solid you can stand it up, but it won’t be as bulky as a container.
What to Serve with Coconut Cream Curry
This is important… because you don’t want to lose any of the flavorful curry sauce! I love serving low carb curry with cauliflower rice – it doesn’t overpower the dish and soaks up all of the sauce from this keto curry recipe. Top it with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro if you wish!
Here are a few other low carb side dishes that will pair perfectly with keto chicken curry recipes:
- Best Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Recipe
- Easy Garlic Roasted Bok Choy Recipe
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
For a different flavor of low carb curry, try paleo Bangalore chicken curry.
Tools To Make Coconut Curry Chicken
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan – I use these pans daily, they are the best.
- Food Processor – The quickest and best way to make cauliflower rice!
Keto Low Carb Curry Recipe
Reader Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers that made this also viewed these recipes:
Coconut Curry Chicken: A Keto Low Carb Curry Recipe
This flavorful keto chicken curry recipe (a.k.a. coconut curry chicken) is EASY, with a secret trick! You're just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes away from low carb coconut cream curry.
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Ingredients
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Wholesome Yum App: Macro Tracker & Custom Meal Plans
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for about 7 to 10 minutes, until translucent and browned.
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Push the onion to the side. Increase heat to medium high. Add another tablespoon oil and the chicken in a single layer. Saute the chicken for just 1 to 2 minutes per side, only to brown the outside.
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Add the diced tomatoes, coconut cream, chicken broth, garlic, curry powder, ground ginger, paprika, and sea salt. Stir everything together. Adjust salt to taste.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, sauce is thick, and flavors develop to your liking.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 3/4 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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189 Comments
Jason
So I worked out the carbs on this meal and I come out with around 10 net carbs per serving. Not sure where I’ve gone wrong, but 6 seems low. Maybe its the ingredients I’m getting personally from the supermarket, even though I try to get the lowest carb versions they sell.
But great recipe none the less, tastes great and really helped me with my keto.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Jason, I’m glad you are enjoying the curry recipe! The biggest variance with carb counts in this recipe is the tomatoes. Be sure to read labels on canned tomatoes too. Some contain added sugar or spices that you don’t want.
Adele
Why can’t I print the recipe? I prefer to print and cook not have to keep going to my phone for the next step
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Adele, There is a ‘Print it’ button in the recipe card. If you can’t find the recipe card in the post, please use the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top of the page and it will take you to the right location.
Marlene Alcorn
I looked so forward to trying this recipe but then I was so disappointed. I thought it was very bland. It was not what I was expecting … no heat … just bland. What did I do wrong?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Marlene, I am sorry this recipe didn’t turn out as expected. By chance, did you use the whole can of coconut milk or just the cream? Using the whole can adds a lot of water to the recipe that can wash out the flavors. I recommend only using the thick coconut cream.
Chrystal Welham
I made this tonight for dinner from a Google search. I served my partners meal with rice as he needs extra filling up then i added in courgette quarters to mine. It was so delicious omg Im ashamed to say, i licked the plate. Partner said it was bloody good and hes very picky. Love, love,love!!!!! I see why it has high ratings.
Cammi Quinton
Made this tonight for dinner and the family really liked it. I doubled the recipe (doubling all ingredients) and ended up adding 1 tsp. of crushed red pepper (which would be 1/2 tsp. to the additional recipe). The family would like me to make it hotter/spicier next time. Any recommendations? Just add more crushed red pepper, or something else? Thanks!!
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Cammi, Yes, you can add extra crushed red pepper, or a teaspoon of hot sauce will also work. Enjoy!
Nancy Sproull
Made this tonight and it was perfect! I used a little more ginger and curry, but other than that it was perfectly seasoned for us and we will make it many more times, I’m sure!!
Elizabeth
I enjoy this easy recipe, and you’d never know it is keto.
Carolyn Brul
This recipe is awesome! Probably one of the best low carb recipes I have ever made! Thank you for posting this I will come back to it again and again!
Ann
This was amazing! Simple to make and incredible on the taste buds!
Mindy
I have never tried curry at home this was so easy and soooo good! I added it to cauliflower rice!
Will definitely be a favorite here!
Sue Ashby
I have made this recipe a few times and it is delicious. I also add some chilli and cardamon, but thats cause I like a bit of heat in the curry. Every recipe I have made from this site works perfectly and is delicious.
Andrea
I just made it for a quick early dinner! Easy, and delicious! Will be part of my weekly keto rotation. 🙂
P.S. I did sub in canned chicken(all I had) and only used one fresh tomato to cut down on carbs, but it was still awesome.
Nik
Thanks for the recipe but it was hard to follow on mobile with there being way too much content. I appreciate SEO and so on but all I wanted was the video, ingredients and the steps. I had to keep scrolling down the lengthy page to check ingredients and measurements as I progressed with the steps which wasn’t great. Once I found the ingredients, i then had to scroll back up to try and find the step I was at which was difficult.
My suggestion is: Why not have the key info first and maybe add the rest as questions after or ideally remove or shorten as it’s just way too much and hard to go back and find the step you were following. Perhaps put the receipe in numbered steps!
Thanks
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Nik, Thank you for the feedback. The recipe card gives a full list of ingredients, amounts, and numbered steps to make the recipe. I hope this helps!
Ann Wilson
I had the same problem. Take screenshots of the ingredients and steps. Works great!
Kat
This is outstanding! It was so good that I made some for my father too and he ask for more.
nicole
is there anyway i can use coconut milk and maybe add cream so it is a bit thicker i would love to make this tonight but only have a can coconut milk and no way of getting any coconut cream tonight?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Nicole, Place your can of coconut milk in the fridge for a couple of hours before making dinner. When it is time to add the coconut cream, open the can scoop out the coconut cream solids. The water in the can is not necessary for the recipe, so you can either throw it out or save for another use.
Andy
Very easy and tasty, I used thighs as I think it’s more juicy than breast and through in a chilli for a little spice. Great tip re the coconut cream. Tasted even better after a day or two in the fridge.
Mai
Just made this curry and it really hit the spot, so flavoursome! Will be a on regular rotation.
Robert Jepsen
Loved the recipe! So easy and delicious!! I did have one issue with the site…when the ad video doesn’t load there is just a big black box blocking over 50% of the screen with no way to close it.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Robert, Thanks for your feedback. Ads keep the Wholesome Yum website running and allow me to develop recipes that readers like you can access absolutely free. However, you may be interested in Wholesome Yum Plus, which includes an ad-free version of the website, along with other perks.
Andy
Loved it!
Nicole Jowers
I love your recipes and make them more than any other. I would love to make this but am having a problem with the curry powder. Curries consist of so many different spices, what spices did you combine to make your curry?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Nicole, I purchased curry powder. This brand of curry powder is the one I always use.
Toony L.
I’m generally not a fan of curry, but man, this is by far the BEST curry I’ve ever had! Super easy to make and delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Kim
We made this tonight and it was SO GOOD! We had a spicy curry powder and used a can of Rotel’s (as that is what I had on hand) and it gave it a nice spice. We served it with a cauliflower rice stirfry mix we got from Costco and it complimented it well. Thanks for making chicken fun tonight lol.
Jen
This is a delicious recipe! I only change it a bit by making my own curry blend. You’d never know this keto!
KG-Atl
Looks fabulous – can’t wait to make it tonight. Have you made this either in Instant Pot or in a slow cooker? if so, please post any changes you would recommend that I make. In addition, I was thinking I’d ad some cauliflower/broccoli florets (probably frozen=easier). Any suggestions on when to add that (esp if doing in either slow cooker or Instant Pot)? Any help/suggestions appreciated.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi KG-Atl, I think this recipe would do well in a slow cooker, however, the sauce won’t be as thick due to the cooking method. Frozen broccoli will thin the sauce as well, so be aware of that. If you are setting this recipe up to cook all day on LOW in a slow cooker, then I would add the broccoli in the last hour (1 – 1 1/2 hours) of cooking, so it doesn’t get too mushy. Best wishes!
Kristy
Thanks so much. I will def add veggies toward the end. And I can do a corn starch/water addition to thicken. Please keep publishing more Indian low carb (slow cooker/IP friendly) recipes! Your site is the best!!!
Karen Fincham
Can you freeze the curry sauce?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Karen, Yes this sauce should freeze nicely.
Heather Jones
I’ve just cooked this curry and have to say it’s the most delicious curry I’ve cooked and I love my curries. Absolutely gorgeous.
Jo
I want to try this recipe, is it okay to add turmeric spice?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Jo, Curry powder does contain turmeric, but you can add more if that is your preference.
Ketan Patel
I made this recipe today using ready cooked chicken instead of fresh chicken. I also didn’t have curry powder, but I had all the ingredients for making curry powder and made it on the fly. I’m indian and my wife has all the spices. This recipe is my favorite and I will be making this on a weekly basis. Too good! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Steven Bosecke
nice recipe, easy to prep, delicious result, thanks.
Dianne
Simple to make and delicious..
Savanna
I will definitely be making this again! Thank you so much.
Rachael
Hello this looks amazing and I’m making it tomorrow. I don’t suppose you know how I’d calculate the nutrition if I used Tofu instead? I’m new to keto sorry!
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Rachel, You can enter the recipe (along with the addition of tofu) in an online recipe calculator to help you get the revised macros. I hope this helps!
Monica
Best curry recipe ever! I keep cooking it and never get sick of the taste. There’s only a few spices used but it really has deep flavours. Yum!
Justine
Amazing recipe! Even better than my local Indian place! I used hot curry powder to give it a bit of a kick and it was perfect! Highly recommend!
Sum
I want to try this recipe next week! Instead of ground ginger, can I use ginger paste instead?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Sum, Yes! You may want to use a little less. You can adjust the amount of ginger to taste.
Akhil
Sumptuous! Really easy to make and turned out delish. Thanks for sharing the recipe! Being an East Indian, I like a bit of heat. The only addition I did was, added 2 Thai peppers when adding spices/garlic and other ingredients in the chicken.
Agnes
This is soooooo gooood! I paired it with keto-friendly naan and it’s like I am in an Indian restaurant! Thank you so much for the recipe!!
Deborah Williams
This recipe was great. My family loved it. It was easy to prepare and very tasty.
Cyndi Heaton
Made this recipe last week, realized I did not have diced tomatoes too late…substituted Habanero Rotel tomatoes and prayed it would not kick it over to texmex, lol. It was delicious, my husband raved about it! We had it on Costco’s cauliflower rice mix…..so good, I am making it again tonight! Thanks for your hard work! Been doing Keto since last August and feel better, have lost a total of 71 lbs total!
Samara
This was soooooooo good. It now will be a regular on our table from now on. Thanks for the recipe.
This is what makes keto worth doing.
Samara
OMG. This was sooooooo good. The first time I’ve made this and it now will be a regular for us. Thank you for the recipe.
Joyce
Really good flavour! I used meat from a cooked chicken and added some more spices to my liking. Also I used the whole can of a 28oz can diced tomatoes. We like things with more sauce. Turned out great!
Cathleen
So good! Made this a week ago. Making it again. 13yo alway leery of new recipes. He gobbled this one up and asked for more.
marcy e McNally
You know what ? I don’t even need to taste it (it’s simmering on the stove as I type this and it smells soooooooo good. I’m using tofu in place of the chicken because I’m not really a chicken person…but anyway, I’ve made several of your recipes and I’m sure this one will be delicious as well ! Thank you !
Sonia
J’ai tellement hâte de faire la recette, j’en ai déjà l’eau à la bouche.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Sonia, Thanks! I hope you love it!
Chuck
Pretty good, little bland. I added some keto sugar and spice (raw chiles) and it boost a bit of flavor. Any other recommendations?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Chuck, If it needs a little extra kick, I would add a little more ginger and paprika.
Lou
OMG! I’m new to keto (1week in). This recipe surprised and delighted me. I ended up shaking the can by mistake and put more coconut milk than I should have. But the curry the most amazing flavour! I used coconut oil instead of olive too. Xx
Joanne Swift
This was so easy and very tasty! Thank you !
Libby Grubert
Just totally delish!!!
Juz
This was so delicious! I added my cauli rice and grated zucchini to the curry towards the end of cooking to boost the veg content. I can tell it will taste even better tomorrow.