Description
Panang Chicken Curry is a luscious Thai dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy coconut milk-based curry sauce with aromatic spices and a hint of peanut. This dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect quick and satisfying meal. Serve it over steamed jasmine rice for an unforgettable dining experience!
Ingredients
For the Curry:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp Panang curry paste (Mae Ploy or Maesri recommended)
- 1 can (14 oz) full-fat coconut milk, divided
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 2–3 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces (or 1/2 tsp lime zest)
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts or smooth peanut butter
- Fresh Thai basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Optional for Extra Heat:
- 1–2 sliced Thai chilies or 1/2 tsp chili flakes
Instructions
1. Prepare Ingredients
Slice the chicken and gather all ingredients before starting. If using peanuts, grind them into a fine powder or finely chop them.
2. Sauté the Curry Paste
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add the curry paste and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add Coconut Milk
Pour in half of the coconut milk (about 1 cup) and stir to dissolve the paste. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken and stir to coat in the sauce. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
5. Season the Curry
Pour in the remaining coconut milk and add:
Fish sauce
Palm sugar
Kaffir lime leaves
Crushed peanuts or peanut butter
Stir well and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
6. Adjust & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If the curry is too thick, add a splash of water or broth. Garnish with Thai basil and extra chopped peanuts. Serve hot over jasmine rice.
Notes
- Sautéing the curry paste first enhances its depth of flavor.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Balance flavors: add sugar if too spicy, chilies if too mild.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~450
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~20g
- Protein: 35g