This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This easy Thai Green Coconut Chicken Curry has all the right flavors and textures: slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and packed with vegetables! It’s sure to become a weeknight staple with the ease of your slow cooker or Instant Pot. It only requires 8 minutes of cook time!
Today’s simple Thai Green Coconut Chicken Curry is inspired by the oddest of places: an airport restaurant.
Yep. The place where most of us dread having to grab a bite, usually because the lack of healthy options and fresh ingredients. As a nutritionist, I have the hardest time finding healthy options in the airport.
But let me tell you, Houston airport, you nailed it!
My daughter’s first bite was classic: “oh my gosh, mom, you need to make this at home!”
While I love my Turmeric Coconut Braised Chicken that is made on the Stovetop, this Instant Pot meal is a lot more hands off and perfect for a busy weeknight!
Thai Curry in the Instant Pot:
It seems like a no brainer that the Instant Pot is the perfect tool to make curry. I have several Asian inspired dishes that use the Instant pot: Peanut Butter Chicken, Cilantro Lime Coconut Chicken, Thai Chicken Zoodle Soup, just to name a few.
But no classic chicken curry! It’s time to change that.
How to make Thai Green Coconut Chicken Curry:
The slightly sweetened creamy coconut curry sauce, crunch and texture of veggies, and added tang with lime juice are what make this dish superb! And it’s so easy to make. Let’s get to it!
Here is what we need to do to make this Chicken Curry:
- I start by prepping all of the ingredients. Chopping the veggies and cutting the chicken into pieces. You can also hold off on chopping the bell pepper and zucchini, and wait until the chicken is cooking if you prefer.
- Saute the onion and fresh ginger in the IP. Select cancel.
- Add in the watery part of the coconut milk. To do this, pierce the top of your coconut milk with a fork or knife, and pour the liquid through the hole. Reserve the top thickened part for the end of the dish.
- Stir in the fish sauce, curry paste, curry seasoning, coconut sugar (if using), and the chicken.
- Secure the lid and cook for 8 minutes on high pressure. Use a quick release when cook time is complete.
- Toss in the zucchini and bell pepper, and let simmer for another 5 minutes or so. The stir in the coconut cream from the remainder of the can.
- Add in the optional ingredients: bamboo shoots, cilantro, and shredded coconut. Salt to taste and serve!
Can I make this in the Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! Add the onion, ginger, chicken, coconut milk, curry, curry paste, fish sauce, coconut sugar (if using) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours. After 4 hours, add the bell pepper and zucchini—this summer veggie brings freshness to the curry and works beautifully in dishes like Lemon Basil Ratatouille, Zucchini Chips, and Vegetable Garden Pasta.
Adaptations/Variations:
- Thai Curry Paste: you can absolutely substitute for yellow or red curry paste
- Make it spicy: add in a tad bit of red hot chili peppers or crushed red pepper
- Whole30/Keto version: omit the coconut sugar and serve over cilantro lime cauliflower rice
- Zucchini/Bell pepper: you can substitute other veggies! Green beans and broccoli make a great addition.
Serving:
Serve over rice or cauliflower rice. My personal favorite is Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice! Top with Thai basil or cilantro, and shredded coconut. I love the slightly sweet taste and fun texture.
Enjoy!
Instant Pot Green Thai Coconut Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 large sweet onion, diced
- 2 tsp chopped fresh ginger
- 1.5 lbs raw chicken breast, chopped into bite sized pieces
- 3 tbsp green Thai curry paste
- 1 14 oz can of coconut milk, full fat
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar*
- 1 tbsp fish sauce**
- 2 small zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots, (optional)
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 small diced red chili pepper, (optional)
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper, (optional)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or thai basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Select the saute function on your Instant Pot. Once hot, coat the pot with oil. Now add onion and ginger. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Poke a hole in the top of your canned coconut milk (the firm portion). Pour out the liquid in the coconut milk (save the cream portion for the end) and mix with curry paste, curry powder, coconut sugar (if using), and fish sauce. Select the cancel function, and add the chicken.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is in the sealed position. Now select manual, cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Use a quick release. Once steam is completely released, remove lid. Press cancel, then saute. Stir in zucchini and bell pepper, and let cook for 3-5 minutes or until veggies are softened. Now stir in the cream portion of the coconut milk.
- Select cancel or warm. Stir in lime juice, bamboo shoots (if using), and any pepper to add additional heat. Serve over rice, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with shredded coconut and cilantro or basil.
Very yummy but literally took me 2 hours in total which would have been helpful to know that 30 mins is not realistic