The Perfect Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce Recipe for Dinner

Basil chicken tantalizes taste buds with its aromatic blend of vibrant herbs and rich, creamy spices.

Fragrant leaves infuse each tender morsel with an incredible depth of flavor that changes ordinary poultry into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Southeast Asian cuisine inspires this delightful dish, showcasing how simple ingredients can create magic in the kitchen.

Creamy coconut milk provides a luxurious backdrop for bold, zesty seasonings that dance across your palate.

Warm, complex spices mingle with fresh herbal notes, creating a harmonious balance that feels both comforting and exciting.

Skillful cooking techniques elevate humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you can craft at home.

This recipe promises to become a favorite in your cooking repertoire, offering a perfect balance of comfort and sophistication.

Why Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce Is a Weeknight Star

• Burst with Bold Flavors: Experience a vibrant explosion of curry, basil, and spices that dance together, creating a mouthwatering symphony of tastes that will make your taste buds sing with excitement.
• Super Quick Weeknight Warrior: This recipe transforms from simple ingredients to a gourmet meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks who crave delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Spicy Kick: Enjoy the luxurious smoothness of coconut milk blended with a gentle heat from jalapeno and chili powder, offering a comforting yet exciting culinary adventure in every single bite.
• Healthy Protein-Packed Delight: Lean chicken breast combined with aromatic spices provides a nutritious meal that feels indulgent while supporting your wellness goals, making it a smart choice for health-conscious food lovers.

Gather These for Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs the curry spices and creates the main body of the dish, choose fresh and boneless for best results.

• Curry Powder, Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder: Blend of warm spices that provide depth and heat to the chicken, choose fresh ground spices for maximum flavor.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds a bright, aromatic touch to the dish, select vibrant green leaves without any wilting.
• Ginger: Provides a zesty, warm undertone that complements the curry, select firm and smooth fresh ginger root.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor and aromatic base to the curry sauce, choose firm, compact bulbs without soft spots.
• Jalapeno: Introduces additional heat and complexity to the dish, select firm peppers with bright, glossy skin.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and chicken, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Onion: Provides sweet and savory base for the sauce, select firm onions without bruising.
• Coconut Milk: Creates rich, creamy sauce with tropical undertones, choose full-fat version for better texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce, select fresh, high-quality cream.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce and creates smooth consistency, use pure cornstarch without additives.
• Cooked Rice: Serves as the base for serving the curry chicken, choose long-grain white or jasmine rice.

Make Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce Tonight

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Slice chicken breast halves into bite-sized pieces and place in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Create Flavor Coating

• Curry powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder

Sprinkle the spice mixture over chicken and toss until evenly coated.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to develop.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatic Ingredients

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

• Diced onion
• Fresh basil leaves
• Minced ginger
• Crushed garlic
• Chopped jalapeno

Sauté until onions become translucent and fragrant.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

Add marinated chicken to the skillet.

Sprinkle additional salt if needed.

Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.

Step 6: Create Creamy Coconut Sauce

• Coconut milk
• Heavy cream
• Cornstarch

Pour the mixture into the skillet with chicken.

Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.

Step 7: Simmer and Thicken

Cook the sauce, stirring constantly, until it thickens and begins to bubble.

Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 additional minutes.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the chicken and sauce over steaming hot cooked rice.

Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves if desired.

Quick Tips for Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit in spices for the full 2 hours to maximize flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Chop Consistently: Cut chicken pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some chunks from overcooking.
• Spice Balance: Adjust chili powder carefully to control heat level, starting with less and adding more if desired.
• Simmer Smartly: Keep sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent separation and maintain creamy, smooth texture.
• Fresh is Best: Use fresh basil and ginger for more vibrant, aromatic flavors that elevate the entire dish.

Store or Heat Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce with Ease

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken curry to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of coconut milk to restore sauce consistency. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety. Avoid microwaving to prevent sauce separation.

Pairing Picks for Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce

• Pair with Tropical White Wine: Select a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the curry's spiciness and enhances the coconut's creamy texture.
• Match with Cooling Cucumber Salad: Create a refreshing side with sliced cucumbers, mint, and a light yogurt dressing to balance the warm, spicy chicken curry.
• Serve alongside Jasmine Rice: Use fragrant jasmine rice to absorb the rich coconut curry sauce, providing a perfect neutral base that highlights the dish's complex flavors.
• Recommend Mango Chutney Garnish: Top the chicken with a tangy mango chutney to add a sweet and zesty contrast that amplifies the curry's depth and spice profile.

Creative Spins on Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce

• Tropical Veggie Fusion: Replace chicken with tofu or mixed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy curry flavor.
• Spicy Seafood Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp or white fish for a quick-cooking seafood adaptation that absorbs the aromatic basil and coconut curry sauce perfectly.
• Slow Cooker Comfort: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after seasoning chicken, allowing the flavors to meld together over 4-6 hours for a hands-off, tender meal with minimal preparation.
• Green Curry Remix: Swap curry powder with green curry paste and add lime leaves for an authentic Thai-inspired variation that brings extra complexity and brightness to the original recipe.

Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Indian-inspired basil chicken dances with exotic coconut curry flavors, marrying tender chicken and aromatic spices. Delicate herbs and rich sauce invite palates to explore a culinary journey that promises pure comfort and authentic taste sensations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Vegetables and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 14 ounces (396 grams) can coconut milk (regular or light)
• ½ cup cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3–4 cups hot cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Dice chicken breast into uniform cubes, placing them in a mixing container.
2. Create a robust spice blend by combining curry powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder, thoroughly coating the chicken pieces to ensure even seasoning.
3. Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
4. Warm olive oil in a spacious nonstick skillet over robust heat, preparing for flavor development.
5. Sauté a fragrant medley of diced onion, fresh basil leaves, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño until onions become translucent and aromatic.
6. Introduce the marinated chicken to the skillet, stirring occasionally and cooking for approximately 5-6 minutes until the meat transforms from pink to a perfect golden white.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk coconut milk, cream, and cornstarch until smooth, creating a silky sauce base.
8. Pour the creamy mixture into the skillet, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and promote even thickening.
9. Allow the sauce to bubble and reduce, simmering for an additional 5-10 minutes to intensify flavors and achieve desired consistency.
10. Present the vibrant curry chicken atop steamed rice, garnishing with extra fresh basil if desired.

Notes

• Marinate chicken with spices for deep, rich flavor infusion that transforms the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Sauté aromatics like onion, basil, ginger, and garlic before adding chicken to build complex, layered flavor foundations.
• Use cornstarch as a thickening agent to create a silky, luxurious coconut curry sauce that coats each chicken piece perfectly.
• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breast halves for a lean protein option that absorbs spices and remains tender during cooking.
• Balance heat levels by adjusting chili powder and jalapeno quantities to suit personal spice tolerance and preference.
• Serve immediately over steamed rice to capture the sauce’s maximum temperature and flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 635
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg