Thai Panang Curry Recipe with Tender Chicken

Thai panang chicken curry brings together a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable sophistication.

Rich, creamy, and beautifully balanced, this dish represents the pinnacle of southeast asian culinary artistry.

Fragrant spices mingle with coconut’s smooth embrace, creating a complex yet harmonious meal that feels both comforting and exciting.

Warm, rounded notes of ginger and lemongrass weave through the sauce, offering depth and nuance to each carefully crafted bite.

Tender chicken pieces nestle within the velvety sauce, absorbing layers of intricate seasoning that reflect generations of cooking wisdom.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this curry converts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

The magic lies in the delicate interplay of ingredients that simultaneously soothe and stimulate your senses.

Thai Panang Chicken Curry Highlights

• Burst with Bold Flavors: Thai Panang chicken curry delivers a tantalizing explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy tastes that dance on your palate with authentic Thai-inspired ingredients.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Warrior: This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful combination of tender chicken, soft bell peppers, and crunchy chopped peanuts that create a satisfying multi-dimensional eating experience.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: The recipe allows simple modifications like adjusting spice levels, swapping proteins, or adding extra vegetables to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

Pantry Checklist for Thai Panang Chicken Curry

• Chicken Breast or Tenderloins: Lean protein that creates tender, bite-sized pieces for the main protein of the curry.

• Red, Orange, or Yellow Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable that adds sweetness and crunch to the curry.
• Scallions, Garlic: Fresh ingredients that provide depth and sharp flavor to the dish.

• Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Creamy base that gives the curry its rich, smooth texture.
• Thai Red Curry Paste: Concentrated blend of spices that provides authentic Thai flavor and heat.
• Fish Sauce: Savory, salty condiment that enhances umami and adds traditional Thai seasoning.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a deep sweetness and helps balance the spicy and salty flavors.
• Lime Juice: Bright, acidic element that freshens the overall curry taste.

• Fresh Cilantro, Dry Roasted Peanuts: Crunchy toppings that add fresh herb notes and nutty texture to the finished dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil used for sautéing ingredients and preventing sticking.

Cooking Guide for Thai Panang Chicken Curry

Step 1: Sauté Colorful Peppers

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Bell peppers (diced)

Cook until peppers become tender and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Ingredients

• Scallions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until scallions soften and garlic releases its fragrant notes, around 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Create Creamy Curry Base

• Coconut milk
• Thai red curry paste
• Fish sauce
• Dark brown sugar

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Cook Tender Chicken

Add thinly sliced chicken pieces to the simmering sauce.

Cook until chicken is fully done and absorbs the rich curry flavors, approximately 5-8 minutes.

Step 5: Elevate With Fresh Garnishes

• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Finely crushed peanuts

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 6: Serve With Elegance

Plate the curry over steaming jasmine rice.

Garnish with fresh lime wedges for a zesty finish.

Enjoy your vibrant Thai Panang Chicken Curry!

Kitchen Tips for Thai Panang Chicken Curry Success

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe bell peppers and vibrant scallions for maximum flavor and color in your curry.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust the amount of Thai red curry paste to match your heat tolerance, tasting as you go.
• Slice Chicken Evenly: Cut chicken into uniform thin slices to ensure even and quick cooking throughout the dish.
• Toast Peanuts Briefly: Lightly toast chopped peanuts in a dry pan for enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch before adding to the curry.
• Let Curry Rest: Allow the curry to sit for 5-10 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.

Best Storage Tips for Thai Panang Chicken Curry

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Thai Panang Chicken Curry in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the curry in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of coconut milk or water to restore the sauce's original consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freezing Option: Pour cooled curry into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly until piping hot.

What Complements Thai Panang Chicken Curry

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer to complement the curry's spicy and creamy profile, cutting through the rich coconut milk and balancing the heat.
• Match with Refreshing Thai Beer: Grab a cold Singha or Chang beer, whose light and crisp nature perfectly offsets the curry's intense flavors and provides a cooling contrast.
• Enhance with Coconut Rice Side: Prepare jasmine coconut rice to amplify the curry's tropical notes, creating a harmonious and indulgent dining experience that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
• Add Bright Cucumber Salad: Create a quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and fresh herbs to provide a cool, tangy counterpoint that refreshes the palate between spicy curry bites.

Explore More Styles of Thai Panang Chicken Curry

• Seafood Switch: Replace chicken with shrimp or white fish for a marine-inspired curry that brings ocean flavors to your plate.
• Vegetarian Delight: Swap chicken with tofu or mixed vegetables like cauliflower, eggplant, and zucchini for a plant-based protein option.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Increase or decrease Thai red curry paste to customize heat intensity, catering to mild or fiery palate preferences.
• Regional Remix: Use green curry paste instead of red for a slightly different herbal and cooler flavor profile that maintains authentic Thai characteristics.

Thai Panang Chicken Curry Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Thai panang chicken curry blends rich coconut milk with tender chicken and a harmonious mix of aromatic spices. Fragrant kaffir lime leaves and authentic Thai seasonings create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.25 pounds chicken breast or tenderloins, thinly sliced into bite-size pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 small bunch scallions, light and dark green parts, sliced diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid, Sauce, and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 (14-ounce/400-gram) can unsweetened coconut milk
• 2.5 tablespoons (37.5 milliliters) Thai red curry paste
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fish sauce
• 2.5 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lime juice
• Lime wedges for serving
• 0.25 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 0.33 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Warm vegetable oil in a spacious skillet over moderate temperature, gently sautéing diced bell peppers until they turn tender and slightly translucent.
2. Incorporate scallions and minced garlic into the pan, allowing them to release their aromatic essence and soften elegantly.
3. Pour creamy coconut milk into the skillet, blending seamlessly with vibrant Thai red curry paste, umami-rich fish sauce, and caramel-like dark brown sugar.
4. Bring the fragrant mixture to a delicate simmer, creating a velvety sauce that will embrace the protein.
5. Introduce thinly sliced chicken pieces into the bubbling curry, ensuring they are completely submerged and cooking evenly until they reach perfect tenderness.
6. Elevate the dish’s complexity by stirring in bright lime juice, which will add a zesty dimension to the rich curry.
7. Sprinkle fresh cilantro and finely chopped peanuts over the surface, providing contrasting textures and nutty undertones.
8. Taste and refine the seasoning, balancing flavors with additional citrus if needed.
9. Transfer the luxurious curry onto a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, presenting with vibrant lime wedges for an optional tangy accent.

Notes

• Softened bell peppers create a vibrant base for this aromatic curry, releasing sweet undertones that complement the spicy sauce.
• Quick-cooking chicken absorbs the rich panang curry flavors, transforming simple protein into a restaurant-quality dish in minutes.
• Crunchy peanuts and fresh cilantro provide unexpected texture and bright finishing notes that elevate the entire curry experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg