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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Dice chicken breast into uniform cubes, placing them in a mixing container.
- Create a robust spice blend by combining curry powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder, thoroughly coating the chicken pieces to ensure even seasoning.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious nonstick skillet over robust heat, preparing for flavor development.
- Sauté a fragrant medley of diced onion, fresh basil leaves, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño until onions become translucent and aromatic.
- 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.
- In a separate bowl, whisk coconut milk, cream, and cornstarch until smooth, creating a silky sauce base.
- Pour the creamy mixture into the skillet, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and promote even thickening.
- Allow the sauce to bubble and reduce, simmering for an additional 5-10 minutes to intensify flavors and achieve desired consistency.
- 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