Baked Keto Chicken Curry Recipe

Craving classic chicken curry but want a keto-friendly version? This easy baked keto chicken curry recipe delivers all the flavor without the carbs. With juicy chicken baked in a rich, creamy coconut curry sauce loaded with spices, it’s a new low-carb favorite. Read on to learn how to make this simple yet scrumptious dinner that fits into a keto lifestyle.

Ingredients for Keto Chicken Curry

When making keto chicken curry at home, having the right ingredients on hand ensures delicious results. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts – Using chicken thighs results in more tender, juicy meat but breasts work too.
• Full-fat canned coconut milk – This provides the creamy base for the curry sauce.
• Curry powder – A blend of up to 20 herbs and spices that defines the flavor.
• Garam masala – An aromatic Indian spice mix that typically contains cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom.
• Turmeric and ginger – These spices add extra flavor and color.
• Onion and garlic – Sautéed to soften and add aromatic depth.

Having all the ingredients prepared ahead of time ensures quick and easy assembly when it’s time to make this keto chicken curry.

How to Make Simple Keto Chicken Curry

With a simple yet flavorful ingredient list ready, it’s time to learn how to put together this easy low carb chicken curry. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1 – Sauté the Aromatic Veggies

• Dice 1 small onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic.
• Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Sweating the veggies brings out their natural sweetness which adds complexity to the sauce.

Step 2 – Brown the Chicken

• Pat dry 1 lb chicken thighs/breasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Raise heat to medium-high and brown chicken pieces well on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Browning the chicken builds tons of flavor and ensures beautifully glazed pieces after baking.

Step 3 – Simmer the Sauce

• To the pan with the aromatics, whisk in 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk, 1-2 Tbsp red curry powder, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 Tbsp grated ginger, and 2 tsp garam masala.
• Bring to a gentle simmer, while scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Let sauce thicken for 5 minutes, whisking frequently.

Simmering the sauce infuses rich flavor into the coconut milk for a creamy, fragrant curry.

Step 4 – Bake the Chicken

• Return seared chicken pieces to the pan and turn to evenly coat in spice-infused sauce.
• Transfer to a baking dish, evenly distributing pieces in a single layer.
• Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Baking the sauced chicken pieces delivers juicy, tender meat infused with flavor.

The full recipe is:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs/breasts
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1-2 Tbsp red curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tsp garam masala

Having the complete ingredient list and measurements handy ensures you can recreate this simple keto chicken curry anytime.

Tips for Perfect Baked Keto Chicken Curry

Making this easy chicken curry keto-friendly requires just a few tweaks to ensure delicious results:

• Use full-fat coconut milk – Lower fat versions simply won’t be as creamy or flavorful.
• Don’t skip browning the chicken – This builds a flavorful fond for the sauce and gives the chicken an irresistible glaze.
• Simmer the sauce before baking – Allowing the flavors to meld creates a rich, cohesive curry flavor.
• Bake in a single layer – This prevents overcrowding so all pieces bake evenly.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll have tender chicken in an aromatic, luxuriously creamy low carb curry sauce.

Keto Side Dishes for Chicken Curry

This easy keto baked chicken curry, with its rich, indulgent sauce is best when served over a vegetable side dish to help soak up the flavorful sauce. These make great low carb accompaniments:

Cauliflower Rice

Riced cauliflower is the perfect keto alternative to standard white rice. Simply pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor until reduced to rice-sized bits. Saute in oil or butter over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes until tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Sautéed Spinach

Fresh spinach sautéed with garlic makes an easy, nutritious side. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 2 garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add a large handful of spinach and toss continually for 2-3 minutes until fully wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Roasted Broccoli

For an easy roasted veggie side, toss bite-sized broccoli florets with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until caramelized brown.

Serving this keto chicken curry over your choice of these veggie sides adds heft and texture for a satisfying low carb meal.

More Delicious Keto Chicken Curry Recipes

While this easy baked version makes a fabulous weeknight dinner, there are lots of ways to enjoy chicken curry within a keto diet:

Thai Coconut Curry

Infuse classic red curry with Thai flavor by adding lemongrass, fish sauce, basil, and a squeeze of lime juice. Simmer diced chicken thighs in the aromatic sauce until cooked through for a low carb Thai take.

Indian Butter Chicken

Trade the coconut milk for butter and heavy cream simmered with tomato paste for rich, smooth Indian butter chicken. Gentle spices like garam masala pair perfectly with the velvety sauce.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Curry

In a pinch for time? Toss chicken breast cubes and sauce ingredients into the pressure cooker. In just 15 minutes, the meat and flavors meld into the perfect quick keto chicken curry.

Experiment with global flavor profiles to enjoy chicken curry in many deliciously distinct ways that all fit a keto diet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Chicken Curry

If you’re new to keto or curry, you may have a few questions when making this easy recipe:

Is this chicken curry recipe keto?

Yes! With only 8 carb-free whole food ingredients, this recipe fits perfectly into a keto eating plan. The combination of high fat coconut milk, spices, and chicken makes this a nutritious keto meal.

What spices are in chicken curry?

While spice blends vary across curry recipes, they typically contain coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, chiles, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Garam masala and curry powder add these spices to this recipe.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless breasts can be swapped for the thighs. Cut them into 1-inch chunks before browning to ensure tender meat after baking. Just be careful not to overcook.

Is curry powder spicy?

It depends. Blends labeled hot or Madras curry powder will pack some heat. But standard curry powder features a blend of mostly aromatic spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, and ginger that is more earthy than spicy. Adjust to taste.

What goes with chicken curry?

From cauliflower rice to roasted veggies, keto chicken curry pairs well with low carb sides. Top with cilantro or mint and serve with sautéed spinach or roasted broccoli to soak up the flavorful sauce.