Description
Savory slow cooker thai basil chicken curry blends aromatic spices with tender chicken and fresh herbs. Coconut milk creates a rich, creamy base that invites you to explore complex Thai culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) boneless and skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
- 1 can (13.5 oz/400 ml) coconut milk
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) curry powder
- 1 tbsp (15 g) coconut/palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (or bird eye chili)
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon (6 g) ginger, grated
- ¼ cup (15 g) cilantro, chopped
- ⅓ cup (10 g) basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Assemble all ingredients and ready the slow cooker for an aromatic Thai-inspired culinary journey.
- Base Layer: Arrange chicken pieces as the protein foundation, creating a flavorful canvas for the curry.
- Liquid Foundation: Cascade coconut milk over the chicken, establishing a creamy, rich base that will tenderize and infuse the protein.
- Flavor Infusion: Generously dust curry powder across the mixture, introducing warm, complex spice notes that define the dish’s character.
- Umami Enhancement: Splash fish sauce to deepen the flavor profile with an authentic Thai seasoning essence.
- Flavor Balancing: Squeeze lime juice, bringing a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the rich, creamy components.
- Seasoning Harmony: Sprinkle sugar to calibrate the interplay between savory and tangy flavor dimensions.
- Aromatic Layering: Disperse chopped onions, contributing a subtle sweetness and textural complexity to the curry.
- Heat Integration: Scatter jalapeño peppers, introducing a gentle warmth that complements the dish’s intricate flavor landscape.
- Aromatic Intensification: Distribute minced garlic and ginger, unlocking traditional Thai seasoning nuances and creating depth.
- Mixture Unification: Gently blend all ingredients, ensuring comprehensive coating and flavor distribution.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and simmer on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches ultimate tenderness.
- Final Transformation: Delicately shred chicken using two forks, creating succulent, easily consumed morsels.
- Herbal Elevation: Incorporate fresh cilantro and Thai basil leaves, introducing vibrant, aromatic finishing notes.
- Presentation: Plate over steamed jasmine rice, garnishing with additional herbs to amplify the sensory experience.
Notes
- Optimize Slow Cooker Timing: Cooking duration varies by chicken cut – boneless breasts need less time to prevent dryness, while bone-in thighs offer richer flavor and remain more tender.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on heat tolerance; remove seeds for milder curry or include for extra kick.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast curry powder in a dry skillet briefly before adding to intensify its aromatic compounds and develop more complex taste profile.
- Prevent Watery Consistency: Allow curry to rest 15-20 minutes after cooking to let sauce naturally thicken and flavors meld together seamlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg