Gluten-free, paleo-friendly, healthy and delicious is this Filipino-style coconut chicken curry flavored with fresh ginger and other spices. We added some sweet potatoes and bell peppers for extra nutrition and yum!
The other night we had dinner over at our friend’s house. A missionary visiting from France who spoke at our church last Sunday stayed with them.
For his last night, we decided to have dinner together, sort of a pot luck. I didn’t have time to prepare a main dish as we toured him around the area during the day (though I made some French clafoutis for dessert in his honor). Hubby and I just decided to get a couple of rotisserie chicken as our contribution.
We had a lot of food! One of the roasted chickens was not even touched so we had to bring it home. As I was wondering about what to use the chicken for, I remembered that I haven’t yet made any Filipino curry version for the blog.
While we normally use uncooked chicken when we make curry in the Philippines, I thought using the already roasted one would make cooking easier and shorter, too. Besides, you can always use another idea on how to use left-over chicken, right? This is one such recipe!
Filipino chicken curry is a little different compared to our Asian neighbors. Technically, it doesn’t really use a curry powder mix but simply relies on ginger, perhaps some turmeric, too for flavor.
Since ginger and turmeric are often included in curry mixes and recipes anyway, I think this qualifies as curry, too. However, I decided to add some curry powder and some sweet potatoes to the mix (hubby is trying a more paleo-friendly diet these days and I am joining him, too).
Bell peppers were also incorporated for flavor and color. If you wish to make it more traditionally Filipino, you can use green unripe papaya instead of sweet potatoes or sweet peppers.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any papayas when I made this but feel free to sub if you do. Likewise, the sugar (or a little honey as sub) is not meant to make this curry sweet but simply to balance the flavors of the dish.
As with any cooking, simply adjust to taste. If not doing a paleo diet, be sure to enjoy this with some Jasmine rice!!! This is a very tasty dish so we hope you try it soon! 🙂
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FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.
What are the INGREDIENTS for Filipino Coconut Chicken Curry?
Gluten-free, paleo-friendly, healthy and delicious is this Filipino-style coconut chicken curry flavored with fresh ginger and other spices. We added some sweet potatoes and bell peppers for extra nutrition and yum!
- Coconut Oil or oil of choice.
- Garlic cloves – peeled and crushed.
- Onion or Shallot – the latter is traditional for cooking in the Philippines so use that if you can find it in your grocery stores.
- Ginger root – use fresh for better flavor.
- Red Curry Powder – you may also use yellow curry powder.
- Ground Turmeric
- Sweet Potato (or Yam)
- Left-over Chicken or Rotisserie Chicken
- Canned Coconut Milk – use the full-fat coconut milk for better flavor. Also, use one without any additives or preservatives.
- Fish Sauce – this seasoning sauce adds a lot of flavors so use it if possible. Buy only the purest quality ones like the ones from Vietnam or Thailand. If you can’t find it or don’t like it, substitute it with soy sauce or liquid aminos.
- Bell pepper – chopped.
- Brown Sugar – substitute with a little honey if you want to make it paleo-friendly. Adjust to taste.
- Salt and Pepper – to taste.
- Cilantro – for garnish (optional).
How do you make Filipino Coconut Chicken Curry?
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy cooking pot with a lid. Saute the garlic, onion and fresh ginger until aromatic about 1-2 minutes. Adjust the heat to the lowest setting and add the curry powder and ground turmeric to the onion mixture and stir.
- Add the sweet potatoes and chicken. Pour the coconut milk plus 1/2 a can of water, fish sauce and some freshly ground pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, cover and then simmer on low for 8-10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add the chopped bell peppers and the brown sugar or honey to balance out the flavor (not to make it sweet). Cook for another 2 minutes or until the peppers are heated through. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add some more water. Adjust the seasoning if desired. Garnish with some chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
FILIPINO COCONUT CHICKEN CURRY
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 6 cloves Garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 inch-long fresh Ginger root, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp Red Curry powder
- 1 tsp ground Turmeric
- 1 Sweet Potato (or Yam), peeled and chopped into cubes
- 3-4 cups left-over Chicken or 1 ( 3-lb) Rotisserie Chicken, chopped or cubed
- 1 can Coconut Milk
- ½ can water (use the 14 oz coconut can and fill it halfway wirh water to measure)
- 2 tbsp paleo-friendly Fish Sauce
- 1 large red Bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp brown Sugar (or Honey for paleo), adjust to taste
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- chopped Cilantro for garnish, (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy cooking pot with a lid. Saute the garlic, onion and fresh ginger until aromatic about 1-2 minutes. Adjust the heat to the lowest setting and add the curry powder and ground turmeric to the onion mixture and stir just until the spices are aromatic (about 30 seconds more or less).
- Add the sweet potatoes and chicken. Pour the coconut milk plus 1/2 a can of water, fish sauce and some freshly ground pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, cover and then simmer on low for 8-10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add the chopped bell peppers and the brown sugar or honey to balance out the flavor (not to make it sweet). Cook for another 2 minutes or until the peppers are heated through. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add some more water. Adjust the seasoning if desired. Garnish with some chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 06:04 pm
This is a wonderful curry recipe….and it looks amazing. Wish I was there at your party, you wouldn't have had any leftovers 🙂
Thanks, Sandi! Perhaps I will contact you next time! 🙂
I LOVE the look of this dish. Lately we've been gorging on way too many sweets. Time to get back to healthy eating. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks Abigail
Thanks, Diane and hope you enjoy this!
A good curry recipe is always hard to find. You do such a wonderful job with this recipe. I love your use of coconut in this recipe. The Filipino twist makes this very unique.
Thanks, Rini! I love cooking with coconut – makes everything delish!
I love a good curry but I never think to make it at home, I always order it at restaurants. Can't wait to try this, pinned for later!
We are huge curry fans in our house, too Sara and hope you get to try this!
What a gorgeous dish, Abigail!
Thanks, Justine!
This Filipino version sounds heavenly to me! I love ginger. My husband is a little ginger averse but I'm slowly winning him over.
Perhaps this will help his conversion! 🙂 Thanks, Alisa!
Love using leftover chicken. This dish is so beautiful and healthful with the coconut oil and turmeric. Love it, Love it and can't wait to make it! 🙂
Please enjoy and thanks, KC!
I'm so glad I came across your blog this morning! My husband and I are in the process of adopting from the Philippines and I really want to learn to cook traditional Filipino food. I can't wait to dive into some of your recipes!
Hi Jessica! I hope all goes well with the adoption and thank you for doing that. There are many needy children in the Philippines for sure. Hope you enjoy our dishes!
This looks absolutely wonderful, a must try recipe!!
Thanks, Tara!
Mmm, I love this variation because I love ginger! Looks hearty and delicious!
Ginger is one of my favorite spices, too Katerina! Thanks for stopping by!
I am a huge curry lover and I'll be adding this to my recipe list. Looks delicious.
Thanks, Janette and hope you enjoy it!
What a beautiful recipe! I love filipino food 🙂
Thanks, Elena! Glad to know you enjoy Filipino cuisine!
This is a delicious dish full of wonderful flavors.
Thanks, Joanne!
Beautiful colors and perfect balance of flavors in this dish! It looks perfect!
Thanks, Debi!
Oh man I wish I had a huge bowl of this in front of me right now! It looks perfect!
Thanks, Lauren! Hope you get to try it!
Oh how delicious. Love the silky texture of the sauce. And beautiful to boot. 🙂
Thanks, Susan – that sauce is perfect to drizzle over rice!
Abigail I so love your recipes and this caught my eye and my tummy xoxo
Awww, thanks Beverley! Hope you get to enjoy this!
Honey this recipe is DE-LIC-IOUS, even my toddler finished his plate. I served it with basmati rice. Wouldn't change a thing.
I am so glad to know you and your toddler enjoyed it Genevieve! Thank you for letting us know. Appreciate it much. Thanks!
I am pregnant and can barely stand to eat anything besides cookies, but this is amazing—I make it every week. I double the veggies and add eggplant since it's pretty much to only way I'll eat them right now. My toddler loves it too!
Delicious!!!!! I used potatoes instead of sweet yam……I served it with basmati rice……
Author
I am so happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for trying and letting us know!
Abby, I told my 14 year old son tonight what I was making (on his way to hockey practice) and he said “No! Can’t we just order take out?” When he and my husband got home they not only raved about it as they ate it, but both had seconds (and we’re ‘mmmmm’ after each bite). And I also caught my son licking the bowl which he never does. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
Author
I am so delighted to know that you all enjoyed this! Thank you very much for trying and for letting me know!
I love this recipe! I made it for my Filipino mother when she visited and she loved it! Thank you!
Author
I’m so delighted to know this!! Thank you very much!!
Can you use yellow curry powder?
Author
Yes, you certainly can.
Turmeric, garlic, onion, yum I am a huge fan of recipes that have this great depth of flavour! Just looking at your photos makes me hungry and I can see all of the good stuff in the dish. Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Oh wow! This chicken looks amazing and so delicious! My family is going to absolutely love this! Can’t wait to make this!
So good! This will be one of my new summer recipes on rotation!
This Filipino Coconut Chicken curry is so rich in flavor and is super satisfying!! All of the spices really just warmed me up from the inside out!
I love any curry with coconut in it and this Filipino Coconut Chicken Curry looks delicious.
So good!! This will be one of my new summer recipes on rotation!
Delicious …..I added a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
22 April 2022. What an awesome flavor. Light taste pleasing to the taste buds. Loved it. Thanks.
My husband and I’s favorite dish!! So much flavor!
Author
So glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for letting us know.
I swear there’s no better comfort food than a delicious curry. This was SO GOOD, I could eat it every day!
Chicken curry is my absolute favorite! 🙂 This looks so, so good. Going to add this to my weekly dinner plan.
This coconut curry is so rich, flavorful and satisfying! It was the perfect dinner for our family this week!
This coconut chicken curry looks absolutely fantastic! I am loving all the flavors and that you used leftover chicken.
This is a delicious and flavorful curry, and so easy to make. We have a niece who is Filipino and I can’t wait to make it again for her.
A very nice curry recipe and a great way to use leftover chicken.
What an amazing recipe! So good and can’t wait to have the leftovers tomorrow for lunch.
My mom is a Filipina and I love Filipino chicken curry. It’s not spicy like the Indian or Thai version but it’s very tasty.
We are huge fans of this chicken recipe! A wonderful way to use up any leftover chicken, and the spices and ginger in the sauce are delicious!
We made this last night and I have to say It was gorgeous. Love the coconut flavour and it was a great way to use up leftover chicken.
It looks so delicious and easy! This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!
Can I use red Thai curry paste in place of the curry powder. Thanks
Author
Sure. Just adjust the amount to your taste preference. Enjoy!