Keto Coconut Chicken Curry (30 Minute Thai Style)
This keto chicken curry is a cozy Thai-inspired dinner with bold red curry flavor, creamy coconut milk, and fresh vegetables, all ready in under 30 minutes! A low-carb takeout fakeout you’ll want on repeat.
Table of Contents
Watch The Recipe Video
Note: You can also watch this recipe video on YouTube.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Curry
I used to rely on my favorite Thai restaurant for coconut chicken curry until I realized how easy it was to make at home. The first time I recreated it, I couldn’t believe how authentic it tasted. Fragrant red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables.
By making it from scratch, I get to control the ingredients: this dish is keto, Whole30, dairy-free, gluten-free, and completely satisfying. Served over cauliflower rice, it’s my go to for easy, nourishing weeknight dinners.
One skillet, fast, and even better as leftovers, this curry is a true weeknight win! If you’re into cozy, flavor packed keto meals, you’ll also love my Whole30 + Keto Crispy Verde Chicken or this crunchy, refreshing Keto Chinese Chicken Salad. Both make great low-carb dinner pairings!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick rundown of the real food ingredients that make this Thai red curry shine:
- Here’s a quick rundown of the real-food ingredients that make this Thai red curry shine:
- Chicken breast or thighs: Tender, protein packed, and quick to cook when chopped into 1″ pieces.
- Coconut oil: For searing the chicken and sautéing veggies.
- Zucchini, red bell pepper, green onions, yellow onion: Use what you have! This combo adds crunch, color, and depth.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: A must for vibrant, aromatic flavor.
- Red Thai curry paste: I love Thai Kitchen brand (Whole30 + keto friendly).
- Full-fat canned coconut milk: Creamy and rich. Avoid coconut creamers or sweetened varieties.
- Salt and black pepper: Always essential.
Garnish Ideas
Red pepper flakes, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro take this curry over the top.
Serving Options
My favorite: over cauliflower rice. You can also serve it over regular rice or even a baked sweet potato if it works with your diet.
How to Make Keto Chicken Curry
Step 1: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Pat chopped chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Add coconut oil to the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate.
Step 4: In the same skillet, add zucchini, bell pepper, green onions, and yellow onion. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until tender-crisp and slightly browned.
Step 5: Add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 6: Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add red curry paste and coconut milk. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Step 7: Spoon over cauliflower rice and garnish with lime juice, cilantro, and/or red pepper flakes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips + Variations
- Pro Tip: For keto, I always choose canned, unsweetened full-fat coconut milk. Avoid coconut creamer or boxed milk. They often sneak in sugar and don’t give the same creamy texture.
- Ingredient Swap: You can use shrimp, sliced turkey, ground pork, or even tofu to make this curry suit your preferences or dietary needs.
- Veggies: Mix and match based on what’s in your fridge – broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, green beans, kale, or squash all work.
- Spice Level: This version is mild enough for kids. Add Thai chiles or extra red pepper flakes if you want heat.
- Whole30 Tip: Check labels to ensure your curry paste and coconut milk are compliant.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Stores beautifully for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
To freeze, let the curry cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep well for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen in a covered skillet with a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen the sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but the sauce won’t be as rich. For best results, stick with full-fat.
To keep it mild, use less curry paste and skip chili flakes. For more heat, add Thai chiles, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to taste.
Cauliflower rice keeps it keto, but jasmine or brown rice works too if you’re not low carb.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
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Keto Coconut Chicken Curry (30 Minute Thai Style)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, chopped into 1" pieces
- salt + pepper
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 zucchinis, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, grated or finely minced
- 2 tablespoons red thai curry paste, or more to taste
- 1 13.5-ounce can full fat coconut milk
- Garnish Options: red pepper flakes, fresh cilantro, wedge of lime
- Serve With Options: cauliflower rice, on top of a baked sweet potato, regular rice if it works with your diet
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Pat the chopped chicken dry and season with salt + pepper.
- When the skillet is warm, add coconut oil and cook the chicken breast until golden brown and cooked thru, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
- With the heat still over medium heat, add in all the zucchini, bell pepper, green onions and white onion. Season with salt + pepper. Cook the vegetables until starting to brown slightly on the edges, but still crisp tender, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and ginger, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Add in the red curry paste and can of coconut milk, stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated thru.
- Spoon the coconut chicken thai curry over cauliflower rice (or regular rice or baked sweet potato) and serve warm. Top with desired garnishes.
- See the Recipe Notes below for more tips, FAQs and ingredient substitutions.
Notes
- Veggies: Mix and match based on what’s in your fridge – broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, green beans, kale, or squash all work.
- Spice Level: This version is mild enough for kids. Add Thai chiles or extra red pepper flakes if you want heat.
- Whole30 Tip: Check labels to ensure your curry paste and coconut milk are compliant.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Stores beautifully for up to 5 days in the fridge.
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179 Comments on “Keto Coconut Chicken Curry (30 Minute Thai Style)”
Modified with shrimp and different veggies but it was amazing ! Loved it
I have made other curries before but this one just turned out perfectly. I knew it was going to be good when the veggies were cooking. I will definitely be adding this to the rotation.
So happy to hear this Jill! Thank you for making this recipe– totally makes my day to hear how well it turned out!
I plan on making this tonight but wonder if I can use yellow curry?
Yes! That works too!
This was delicious! So glad I doubled it for leftovers tomorrow. Added cilantro as a garnish and we sure did enjoy it. Thanks!!
Thank you, Julie! So happy to hear this and so smart to double the recipe!
The taste was outstanding! I probably did something wrong because the coconut milk was very thin so I added several tablespoons of corn starch to thicken up the dish. I will definitely make this again.
Hi Jim! So glad to hear you loved this dish and were able to save it with the corn starch. Did you use canned coconut milk? The refrigerated version is too thin so I always recommend using the unsweetened canned version.
I just made this!!!! I used carrot instead of zucchini and holy crap ot was sooooo good! I had to take a pic during the process because it was so beautiful
Awww this is so great! Thank you Julie!
Very tasty. Delicious and easy to make.
So glad you like it, Shirley!
Three words… YUM, YUM, YUM!!!!!
This was so easy and so delicious! I didn’t have squash, so I added a bag of mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots). I doubled the milk, because I like it as a soup. Gave the hubs and kiddo rice. They loved it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Thank you, Tammy! These swaps are great! So glad you loved it and the family did too!
I’m soooo glad I decided to double the recipe. It was absolutely delicious!!! I’ll definitely be making more! Thanks
Thank you, Sara! I am so happy to hear that you liked it. Doubling the recipe is genius- it reheats so well and makes the best lunches!
This recipe is a keeper. It’s so flavorful and delicious. My whole family love it!! Super easy to make and I almost always have the ingredients on hand.
Hi Amy! I love to hear this! It’s such a staple recipe and I am so glad your family loves it too!
This was so good and simple. I ended up doubling up the coconut milk and curry paste to get more broth. My daughter loved it and my husband was having leftovers before the night was over. Yum!
Yea! So smart to double those ingredients to get more broth! I am so happy to hear your family loved it. Leftovers before the night is over is major compliments to the chef! You nailed it!
Will make again, but only with the pre-chopped TJ’s squash you mentioned…the squash took me way too long to peel and chop, but I made it exactly as written- honestly shocked the grocery store had the exact kind of squash!
Love a prechopped veggie! Way more convenient. Glad you liked it and will make it again!