Healthy Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

One taste of this Healthy Chicken Curry, and you won’t want to order Indian takeout anymore! This lighter version is made with unsweetened full-fat coconut milk, which creates a healthier curry without sacrificing creaminess. It’s also packed with veggies for extra nutrients!

Overhead image of healthy chicken curry with garnish.

This healthy chicken curry is the perfect alternative to takeout. It’s creamy, rich, and filling, though it uses less oil and salt than traditional takeout. Serve this yummy recipe with basmati rice or cauliflower rice for a satisfying (and more wallet-friendly than takeout!) meal.

Try these other Indian-inspired recipes when craving takeout: Easy Coconut Curry Shrimp, Butter Chicken Pasta, or Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy – Using canned coconut milk helps create the creamiest healthy chicken curry.
Bold flavors – Spices like garam masala, curry powder, and cumin add a bold taste to this easy chicken curry recipe.
Chicken breast – Using boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs keeps the dish lower in calories.
Healthy – By making this recipe at home, you can more easily adjust the salt and oil to your needs.
Slightly sweet – The honey helps balance out the other flavors in this dish.
Kick of heat – Cayenne powder creates a slight heat in this simple, healthy chicken curry recipe.
No chicken broth – You won’t need chicken broth for this recipe, as the juice for the crushed tomatoes will act as the base.
Veggies – I’ve included veggies like spinach and tomatoes in this dish for more nutrients.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Overhead image of ingredients needed to make healthy chicken curry.

Garam Masala: This is an Indian spice available in most grocery stores. It’s a crucial flavor for this dish, so don’t skip it. If you can’t find it in your local store, you may need to visit an Indian grocery store. Or, you can order garam masala online.
Cayenne: Use less or more cayenne pepper when making this healthy chicken curry based on your heat tolerance/preference.
Coconut Milk: Use canned coconut milk when making this curry recipe. Other kinds of coconut milk won’t work, as they have additional ingredients (like gums) that can alter the curry consistency. Make sure the coconut milk is unsweetened.
Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Curry

Quick Overview

Sauté ingredients.
Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer.

Step by Step Instructions

Ensure you start with a cold pan, which helps keep the spices from burning.

Step 1: In a cold large skillet, toss the oil, chicken, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, salt, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne.

Step 2: Turn the heat to medium high and sauté the chicken until brown bits form in the bottom of the pan and it is mostly cooked through.

Step 3: Add the onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Add the garlic and ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

Allow the sauce to thicken/reduce before adding the spinach and cilantro.

Step 5: Deglaze the pan with the crushed tomatoes, scraping any brown bits off the bottom.

Step 6: Stir in the coconut milk and honey. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and allow the curry to reduce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. I usually prepare the rice while the curry simmers.

Step 7: After the sauce has been reduced, stir in the spinach and cilantro. Once the spinach has wilted, turn off the heat. Serve over rice.

Step 8:

Slow Cooker Instructions

Instead of making this in a pan, you can turn this into a healthy chicken curry recipe (slow cooker version) with the instructions below.

Add everything but the cilantro and spinach to a slow cooker.
Cook the healthy chicken curry on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Stir in the cilantro and spinach at the end.
Serve over basmati rice.
Enjoy!

Recipe Serving Suggestions

Garnish this healthy chicken curry with fresh cilantro/green onions, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a spritz of fresh lemon juice.

I love serving this healthy chicken curry with vegetables with rice or bread to soak up the delicious curry sauce. Here are a few ideas:

Expert Tips

Let the sauce thicken. The best way to create a richer flavor in this healthy chicken curry is by allowing the sauce to thicken. You can do this by letting the sauce simmer once most of the ingredients have been added. It should be reduced before you add the spinach and cilantro.
Pre-chop ingredients. The steps can move quickly in this healthy chicken curry recipe with coconut milk. To avoid burning or overcooking the ingredients, ensure everything is prepped before beginning the recipe.
Use full-fat coconut milk. Using full-fat coconut milk helps create a silkier, creamier curry. You won’t get as rich of a sauce if you use a low-fat version like light coconut milk.

Additions & Variations

Add more veggies: You can also boost the nutrients in this creamy curry recipe by including more veggies. Options like broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers are all excellent in curry.
Use tofu: Tofu is a great source of lean protein. Those wanting a dish with higher protein can add tofu to this healthy chicken curry Indian recipe alongside the chicken.
Swap chicken with beans: If you want to create a healthy chicken curry with more fiber, you can use beans instead of chicken. Use 1-2 cans of beans to replace the chicken breast with this swap.

Up close image of healthy chicken curry with garnish.

Recipe FAQs

How healthy is curry chicken?

Chicken curry can be considered healthy since it has protein and veggies. However, traditional chicken curry takeout has quite a bit of sugar, salt, and fat. So, takeaway chicken curry is best eaten in moderation.

Can I eat chicken curry on a diet?

Yes, you can eat chicken curry on a diet, especially if you make a lighter version like this healthy chicken curry. Of course, it’s always best to consult your doctor/dietician before making any major diet changes.

Why is curry considered unhealthy?

Because of the high levels of sugar, salt, and fat, a portion of chicken curry is quite small. So, consuming multiple portions in one sitting can be easy when eating curry recipes.

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