Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 small bunch scallions, sliced diagonally into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
- 2½ tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2½ tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
- 1¼ pounds chicken breast or tenderloins, thinly sliced into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
- ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- ⅓ cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
Instructions
Preparation:
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat.
- Add the diced bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the scallions and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, making sure not to brown it, as that can make it bitter.
Step 2: Prepare the Curry Base
- Add the coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, and dark brown sugar to the pan.
- Whisk everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Add the thinly sliced chicken to the simmering curry sauce.
- Stir occasionally and let it simmer gently for about 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Avoid letting the sauce boil vigorously, as this can toughen the chicken.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
- Stir in the lime juice, chopped cilantro, and finely chopped peanuts.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more lime juice if needed.
- Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice and lime wedges on the side.
Notes
Cooking Notes
- Red Curry Paste: The intensity of Thai curry pastes varies by brand. Start with 2 tablespoons and adjust according to your spice preference.
- Coconut Milk Separation: If your coconut milk separates in the can, whisk it together before adding it to the curry.
- Balancing Flavors: Thai cuisine is about balance. Adjust the fish sauce (saltiness), brown sugar (sweetness), and lime juice (acidity) to taste.
- Toasting Peanuts: For an enhanced nutty flavor, lightly toast the dry roasted peanuts before adding them.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Sugar: ~10g
- Sodium: ~890mg
- Fat: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Protein: ~38g