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You’ll truly enjoy these classic Thai flavors with a hint of sweet basil! This Thai green chicken curry is such a simple and healthy dish, you’ll be making it every week!
I’m so happy to introduce you all to what is legitimately one of Etienne and I’s favorite dinner dishes. We’ve been making this for a few years now, slowly tweaking it along the way. You might have heard me mention a while back that one of our little traditions is to make a curry on Friday nights, and I alluded to this little gem of a recipe. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to actually post this curry on the blog (distractions), but by keen deductive reasoning I could probably tell you it’s because we scarf it down like wild animals before I can snap a photo.
Anyway, before we get to the wonderful aromatics of this dish, let’s talk about your weekend! What did you get up to!? The Calgary Stampede is in full swing here, and it’s always an exciting time in town. Free pancake breakfasts throughout the city, parades, bands, food, rides….what am I missing? Oh – the rodeo!! This year Etienne took Oscar downtown to watch the parade, and on Sunday night I was lucky enough to see the grandstand show! It was amazing. Jann Arden performed, there was a fiery (literally) tightrope walker, dancers, and acrobats galore. Won – der – ful!!! I don’t think we’ll make it to the actual rides because it’s a million degrees here in Calgary lately and I don’t think I could hack the heat along with the crowds.
So, with all this rodeo’ing going on, I should have probably posted something more outdoor bbq-esque, but I had snapped the photos for this curry quite some time ago and I just couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you.
What is Thai green chicken curry?
If you’ve ever had a Thai green curry from a restaurant, this dish will taste very similar to you! Basically, all you need is some fresh veggies, coconut milk, Thai green paste and chicken.
This particular recipe has more than a few wonderful qualities:
-It’s yummy
-SO super quick; and,
-It’s healthy
Check, check, check. If you like Thai spices (who doesn’t!?) you’re going to really appreciate this curry.
How spicy is this Thai green curry?
You can completely customize the amount of spice you use based on your preference and tolerance of heat. We like to use about 3 tbsp of green spice paste, and it’s fairly spicy. We’ve tried using the full package, and it’s do-able, but maybe a bit too intense for our liking. If you’re new to spice, I would start with 1-2 tbsp. We usually use these spice paste packages, found online or in many grocery stores.
How do you make Thai green chicken curry?
Start the curry by prepping the vegetables; cut and clean them.
You can use any variety of vegetables for your curry, but we usually stick to things like carrots, snap peas, peppers, baby corn and sometimes broccoli. As long as you keep it to about 2 cups, you can be as creative as you’d like! One thing to keep in mind is the moisture content of the vegetables; we find that when we use bell peppers the curry is a little more watery than it would otherwise be.
The special (and super important) ingredient to this winning dish? Fresh basil. And LOTS of it! I’m so pleased that I got to use my homegrown basil for this particular curry! My garden is really contributing! Hooray!
Cook the chicken next, in a large wok or frying pan. Once cooked through, start the liquid. It’s essentially composed of coconut milk with some chicken stock, and a splash of fish sauce. The fish sauce is not a requirement but definitely helps the flavor! I also prefer to use full-fat coconut milk!
The basil is chopped up and added to the sauce along with the vegetables, and it just adds the perfect depth of flavor to the dish.
I usually start my rice while the curry is cooking, so it’s ready at just the right time!
How long does it take to make this green curry?
From chop, to simmer, to serve, this green curry takes about 30 minutes. Not too shabby for a weeknight dinner! The next time you’re craving Thai food, give this curry a chance. I’m confident it could be on permanent rotation in your house too.
Until next time – and just because it’s Stampede here – I’ll throw in a YEEHAW!!!! before I go. Cheers!
Some of my other favorite curry dishes from the blog:
- easy Thai basil chicken
- Thai lentil curry
- easy vegetarian curry
- red Thai prawn curry with cilantro-lime coconut rice
Thai Green Chicken Curry
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
Description
Classic Thai green curry flavors with a hint of sweet basil and served with fresh vegetables and chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 can (400mL) coconut milk (light or full fat)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 2–3 tbsp Thai green curry paste*
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 large chicken breasts, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups assorted fresh vegetables (bell pepper, carrots, baby corn, snow peas)
- Rice, for serving
- Cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large wok over medium-high heat, whisk together the coconut milk, chicken stock, green curry paste, fish sauce and brown sugar. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then reduce the temperature to low-medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the diced chicken, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the basil, then the vegetables, and return to a boil, before reducing temperature again and simmering for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are fork-tender. Serve immediately over rice, garnishing with cilantro if desired.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
* Thai green curry paste can be found at most grocery stores in the Asian aisle. See full post for more details.
**Swap the chicken for pork, or for a vegetarian curry, omit step 2.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: curry
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
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That curry sounds delicious! I am not very good with cooking.. but this sounds fairly easy to me😬 I don’t think I can mess this up! I love a good Thai curry.. And this looks amazing.. Also, I am so jealous with your fresh homegrown basil 😜
I have a hard time believing you’re not great with cooking, based on all the delicious things you post!! I hope you get a chance to try this recipe out, you can definitely do it!!
OMG I looooove curries! Something about all the warm spices makes my heart happy :). This sounds awesome; looks like I know what I’m doing for dinner this week! Have a great day, Katherine!
YES I feel the exact same way Kelsie!! It’s so flavourful and warm. I bet you’ll love it!! Hope your week goes well Kelsie 🙂
Thai food is comfort food and making it at home is an excuse to eat more . Thanks for sharing,,,this recipe is gonna go down this week:)
Totally, especially when it’s healthy as well!! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Thanks Maria!!
This looks so tasty,it would make such a great lunch/dinner! 🙂
Thank you!! I can attest to that – I had it for lunch AND dinner. Cheers!!
I love how bright the colours are. And that copper vase is divine. Time for a Thai curry for sure.
Thanks Tandy 🙂 I love how bright and fresh Thai food can be too! Cheers!
Love that tradition on Friday night! I LOVE curry, love Thai food so I could eat every day and not tire of it. I especially love anything with spice so bring it on…gotta sweat while eating it, lol. I always have a hard time growing basil for some reason, but other herbs work well for me. Any tips 🙂 ?
I LOVE curry too, Dawn!! Haha – I agree. If I don’t have to blow my nose while eating the food, it’s not spicy enough 😉 Hmmm the only thing I can really suggest is keeping it away from direct sunlight! I found my basil likes some sun, but not that full, direct, afternoon sun. 🙂 Good luck!!
this looks so fresh and healthy! you’re from Calgary? I loved that part of Canada when I visited, I’d love to go to the Stampede!!!
Yes I am!! You should totally come to the Stampede some time. The whole city becomes alive for those 10 days – you have to wear your Western gear though 😉
I am loving that this is quick and healthy!! Thai Tuesdays #forthewin I definitely need to put this on my week night dinner list 🙂 Pinned! XOXO
Haha! #forthewin I love it Kelly. I hope you get a chance to try it out!! We never tire of it 🙂 XO
I LOVE curry and don’t make it nearly enough. You’ve totally inspired me Katherine!!!
I wish I could have it every night! I’m glad you got some inspiration Lindsay!! Cheers!
Yum! Thai green is one of my favorites and what I usually order at new Thai restos to check their food 😛 But I don’t make it often enough at home. Thanks for sharing this and inspiring me to include this in my dinner rotation!
I love how that’s the way you check their food!! So funny. There’s one Thai restaurant in town that was just perfect but it closed down. So tragic. I hope you love this dish as much as we do!