4.7 from 48 votes
Thai Red Curry
Thai Red Curry is a must-try if you love an aromatic blend curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and just the right amount of heat. This authentic red curry recipe with chicken uses simple, store-bought ingredients and takes only 20 minutes from prep to dinner table.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 186 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Thai
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red curry paste Maesri or Mae Ploy brand preferred
- 8 oz (250g) boneless and skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
- 80 ml. (1/3 cup) coconut cream
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots
- 1-2 Thai chilies or bird's eye chilies, lightly pounded, optional
- 1 red chili cut into strip
- 1/4 cup Thai basil leaves packed, stems removed
- 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar or Thai palm sugar
Instructions
- Heat a small pot with the cooking oil. Sauté the red curry paste until aromatic. Add the chicken to the pot and stir well to coat it with the curry paste.
- Lower the heat, then add the coconut milk, water, and bamboo shoots. Bring the curry to a boil.
- Add the red chilies and stir to combine well.
- Add the fish sauce and sugar, then stir continuously for about 10 seconds. Turn off the heat, add the basil leaves, and stir to combine. Dish out and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Coconut Milk: If you use coconut milk, cut down the water to 1/2 cup. Opt for good quality coconut milk, with a preference for coconut cream for extra richness. I recommend Kara brand coconut cream.
- Thai Palm Sugar: Ideally, use Thai palm sugar to sweeten the curry; if unavailable, substitute with regular white or brown sugar.
- Fish Sauce: Essential for the authentic flavor; avoid using soy sauce.
- High-Quality Red Curry Paste: I recommend Maesri brand red curry paste in a small can, available on Amazon. It’s convenient for storage and allows you to cook red curry multiple times without wastage.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2people
Calories
186kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
48mg
(16%)
Sodium
352mg
(15%)
Potassium
366mg
(10%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1468IU
(29%)
Vitamin C
26mg
(29%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 186
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2people | |
| Calories | 186kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 48mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 352mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 366mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1468IU | 29% |
| Vitamin C | 26mg | 29% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.