Flavorful Thai Panang Chicken Curry

Introduction

If you’re craving bold, comforting flavors, Thai Panang Chicken Curry offers a rich, aromatic experience that’s both simple and impressive. Its velvety coconut sauce, balanced with zingy aromatics and tender pieces of chicken, is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a standout dish for entertaining guests. With just the right amount of spice and a hint of sweetness, this curry is guaranteed to win over even picky eaters.

Deliciously Unique Panang Chicken Curry

What makes Panang Curry distinct from other Thai curries is its thicker, creamy sauce and depth of flavor from roasted peanuts and kaffir lime leaves. The blend of Panang curry paste, coconut milk, and tender chicken creates a dish bursting with complexity—sweet, savory, and spicy all at once. It’s a fantastic way to experience authentic Thai flavors without leaving your kitchen.

Preparing the Sauce for Maximum Flavor

The secret to an exceptional Panang Curry is in the paste and the coconut milk. Sauté the curry paste in oil until fragrant, then slowly stir in coconut milk for an ultra-creamy consistency. Adding a dash of fish sauce and sugar brings out that famous Thai balance of salty and sweet. Finish with kaffir lime leaves and crushed peanuts for an irresistible aroma and crunch.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Curry

Serve Panang Chicken Curry over jasmine rice to soak up every drop of the luscious sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or cilantro, sliced red chilies, and extra chopped peanuts for a vibrant finish. For a balanced meal, pair it with a side of steamed broccoli or a refreshing Thai cucumber salad.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields four generous servings. Each bowl contains roughly 425 calories, making it a hearty choice packed with protein and healthy fats from coconut milk. Pair with rice and vegetables for a nutritious, crowd-pleasing meal.

Flavorful Thai Panang Chicken Curry (Recap)

Combining tender chicken, creamy coconut, and punchy Thai spices, Panang Chicken Curry embodies everything that makes Thai cuisine irresistible. Its harmonious flavors and easy preparation guarantee rave reviews at any dinner table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Panang curry paste and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
2. Add chicken pieces and cook, stirring, until lightly browned on all sides—about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in coconut milk and stir until the curry paste is fully dissolved. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Add fish sauce, brown sugar, and kaffir lime leaves (if using). Simmer for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
5. Add bell pepper slices and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, until just tender.
6. Stir in crushed peanuts and half the basil leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serve curry over jasmine rice. Garnish with remaining basil, extra peanuts, cilantro, and chili slices, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Panang Chicken Curry is ideal for meal prepping—it reheats beautifully and the flavors deepen overnight. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan and let CookifyAI generate a consolidated shopping list that keeps you organized all week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates ingredient totals for all planned recipes
• Sorts your grocery list by store section
• Avoids overbuying—no more duplicate pantry items
• Simplifies weekly menu planning and prep

Pro tip: When planning multiple dinners, schedule your meals so CookifyAI merges duplicate items (like coconut milk or chicken) into one easy list, saving you time and money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes