Even though my vacation feels like it was months ago, I’m still inspired by the food that we ate and want to continue posting some recipes. Here is a simple coconut curry recipe that I made using chicken thighs & legs – we ate many coconut curry dishes while in St. Lucia. This also relates back to my post on chicken a few weeks ago where I recommended buying a whole chicken to save money. As long as your buying quality meat – naturally raised and/or free-range – the legs contain good fat. Like most men, people are partial to the breasts (couldn’t resist that one), but legs and thighs are equally delicious. I served this on a bed of cauliflower rice.
Ingredients (serves 4):
– 4 chicken thighs & legs (still in tact), skin on
– 1 cauliflower (to make the rice)
– 1 Tbsp coconut oil
– 1 Onion – finely chopped
– 5 garlic cloves – smashed and roughly chopped
– 1 red chili pepper – seeds removed, chopped (I used a Scotch Bonnet pepper)
– 1 can coconut milk
– 2 Tbsp curry powder
Directions:
- In a large skillet, heat coconut oil to a med-high heat
- Put chicken pieces into the skillet and cook until each side golden-browned (about 3 min per side)
- Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add onion, garlic and chili – saute for about 3 min or until soft
- Add the coconut milk and curry powder – mix together thoroughly
- Add back the chicken and simmer at medium heat covered for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to check and it should be about 155 before you stop cooking it (it will continue to cook up to 160 which is the perfect internal temp). The coconut milk that the chicken is simmering in should cover about 1/2 of the chicken – if yours’ doesn’t you can add more coconut milk or some chicken stock.
- For the cauliflower rice, either use your food processor to chop the cauliflower to a rice consistency or use a cheese grater. If you have a microwave you can cook it in the microwave for 3 minutes and it’ll be good to go. Otherwise you can steam it for a few minutes. I always cook my cauliflower after I’ve grated it.
- Serve the chicken on a bed of cauliflower rice.
- Enjoy!
I even served this to my non-primal dad and he loved it! I was really hesitant about his reaction to the cauliflower rice, but he quite enjoyed it. Semi-Primal Husband gave the following testimonial, “This is delicious. Ya, really good.”
April 24, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I am a recent paleo convert and have always LOVED Indian food. I have recently discovered that I prefer paleo Indian food to non-paleo Indian food! The cauliflower rice is such a wonderful substitute. I can’t wait to make your Coconut Curry Chicken.
April 24, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Your recipe is simple and it seems like it will be very tasty.
April 29, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Thanks for the great post and for sharing these delicious Paleo recipes. I’m always on the lookout for tasty Paleo meals.
I’ve got a recipe box, or actually a directory on my computer full of them. lol
October 29, 2010 at 3:21 am
Omg just finished cooking this. It is GOOOOD. I added parsley and lemon to mine. Thanks!
January 12, 2011 at 12:20 am
[…] am sitting here munching on my late-night Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken with cauliflower rice and wondering why on earth I ever bothered with rice and grains when cauliflower tastes so amazing. […]
January 20, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try.
March 15, 2011 at 12:35 am
Are Scotch Bonnet peppers hot? What other pepper do you recommend if one does not like spicy food?
Your recipe sounds very delicious, will try it soon. Thanks.
March 15, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Claudia – jalapeno would also work and it’s less spicy!
March 22, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for the recipe! Made it last night and it was delicious!!
March 24, 2011 at 3:17 pm
What other Indian type paleo recipes do you reccomend?
March 30, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@Ericka – I’ve got an awesome butter chicken recipe: https://cosmopolitanprimalgirl.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/paleo-indian-no-butter-chicken/
Here is a Tandoori recipe: http://stevepaleo.blogspot.com/2009/05/paleo-tandoori-chicken-wcurry-rice.html
And another: http://paleoblocks.blogspot.com/2011/01/grilled-tandoori-lamb.html
Enjoy!
April 5, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Can’t wait to try this tonight!
April 13, 2011 at 6:35 am
Great recipe……one pet hate microwaves, avoid using them if you want to maintain the nutritional value of your food. Dump the microwave!!
April 13, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I have!!! I stopped using it about 2 months ago:)
April 14, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Excellent to hear, they are monstrous things!
May 2, 2011 at 6:58 pm
[…] Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken « Cosmopolitan Primal Girl. LikeBe the first to like this […]
July 17, 2011 at 10:37 am
This is an old post, but I just discovered Paleo eating, and a google search led me to your site. I like it because I’m in Ontario as well.
This comment has nothing to do with the recipe (which I’ve yet to try), I just want to ask: is there a baby pig in the pot in the pic? Because it really looks like it. It’s the lighter pink thing in the middle.
July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm
HAAAAAAA!!! It really does look like it?!? It reminds me of when we had to dissect pig fetus’ in Grade 11 science. No, that is just a chicken leg that lost its skin.
September 1, 2011 at 2:47 am
This looks yummy! but how do you steam grated cauliflower?
September 3, 2011 at 2:02 pm
You can either microwave it for 2 min ( not the best option) or what I like to do is sauté it in a pan for about 3 min with some coconut oil….this works great and the taste is much better.
October 18, 2011 at 7:19 pm
[…] a perk. I made a few modifications per my usual recipe makin’ from the original recipe at Cosmopolitan Primal Girl but feel free to do what you like. (pictured below, unfortunately – curry never looks super […]
December 6, 2011 at 11:02 pm
[…] “Paleo Friendly” recipes that I cannot wait to make! Paleo Brownies Paleo coconut chicken curry Avocado cilatro chicken salad Paleo coconut ginger mushroom chicken Paleo Pumpkin cream […]
January 22, 2012 at 2:53 am
[…] http://mypaleodietblog.com/cordain-paleo-diet-program-for-athletes/ https://cosmopolitanprimalgirl.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/paleo-coconut-curry-chicken/ http://mypaleodietblog.com/paleo-diet-book-reviews/ […]
February 27, 2012 at 8:45 am
[…] They avoid starchy carbs from fast and easy refreshments throughout the use of the specific nature of the dairy products were not always know precisely what the launch connected with […]
March 12, 2012 at 7:43 pm
awesome, hubby made it last night and I licked the plate clean 🙂