The secrets to a really great Thai curry using store bought curry paste are: sautéing the curry paste with onion, garlic and fresh chilli, and simmering the curry with kaffir lime leaves (key tip). Plus my secret tip for a thick, extra saucy, extra tasty sauce with 1/3 less calories – MANGOES. Seriously. (Or if you’re after a classic Thai Red Curry with Chicken, here it is.)
Ever since my visit to the Groves Grown Tropical Fruit farm which I babbled about in the Coconut Shrimp/Prawns with Spicy Thai Mango Sauce recipe I shared a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been going a little mango-mad.
Mango sorbet. Mango cheesecake. Mango marinade (seriously SO GOOD!). Mango salsas.
I don’t want to overwhelm you with mango recipes so I decided to pick one more to share this summer. And really, there was no contention.
This Thai Mango Chicken Curry. There are no words. Honestly, I think it’s the best “from scratch” invention to come out of this kitchen for a while. LOOK how thick and saucy it is! With 1/3 less calories!!!
Everyone loves a great curry, especially creamy coconut milk ones. But I rarely have Thai curries midweek because of the calories….WOWZER! Coconut milk is seriously loaded with calories. There are 920 calories / 3,850 kilojoules in one 400g/13oz can of coconut milk. Did you know that??
Sure, you could go low-fat coconut milk. But it’s nowhere near the same……Those who have tried it will know exactly what I’m talking about when I say that the curry sauce is watery instead of creamy.
So the awesome discovery I made?? Switch out half the coconut milk with mango puree. That’s right, mangoes! In puree form it’s thick and creamy, has the sweetness of coconut milk – the PERFECT coconut milk substitute. With less than 1/3 of the calories of coconut milk.
And in case you are concerned, NO it’s not too sweet! Coconut milk is sweet anyway, so it basically replaces that. Plus, here are the ratios I use: 1 can (400g/13oz) coconut milk, 1 cup mango puree and 3/4 cup chicken broth/stock (thins out the mango, adds extra flavour depth).
There is no way anyone would taste this Thai Mango Chicken Curry and think “this is sweet”.
To be clear – I did not invent this Thai Mango Chicken Curry in a bid to lighten up curry! I made it simply because I thought it would be delish – and it blew me away. And my taste testers. Especially when I told them it was so much healthier than the usual red curry!
This is the very first recipe I’m sharing which uses a store bought curry paste. And it’s in response to a request from a friend who mentioned that curries she makes using store bought curry paste just never tastes as good as restaurant curries.
There’s no denying that a made-from-scratch curry paste makes a difference. But you know what? The bigger factor is using store bought curry paste properly – freshening up the flavours by sautéing it with onion, garlic, ginger and chillies.
And the ultimate tip I have? KAFFIR LIME LEAVES. That is the key. They smell limey but are earthier, and when you plonk them into the sauce to simmer away, that is when the magic happens and you’ll make a curry that rivals a restaurant one.
Just like it’s the secret to make a Restaurant Style Coconut Rice. 🙂
I need to stop here. Otherwise I’ll write a thesis.
I really hope you try this Thai Mango Chicken Curry. I can’t stress enough how delicious it is! Thick, creamy, EXTRA saucy with less calories. *Eyes fluttering* Thai curry heaven. – Nagi x
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Thai Mango Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, grape seed)
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger , minced (not critical)
- 1/2 - 1 tsp red chilli , minced (Optional. I used 1 tsp.)
- 1 small onion , sliced (brown, white, yellow) or 3 eschallots
- 1.2 lb / 600g chicken thigh fillets (or breast), cut into bite size pieces
- 4 - 5 tbsp Thai Red Curry Paste (Note 1)
- 1 can (400ml/13oz) coconut milk (full fat is better but low fat is ok too)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup mango puree , preferably fresh (1 large mango) (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 kaffir lime leaves
To Serve
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Coriander/cilantro leaves
- Lime wedges
- Fresh red chili , sliced
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Add garlic, ginger, chilli (if using) and onion and saute until the onion is starting to soften.
- Add chicken and cook until white all over but still raw inside.
- Add curry paste and saute for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add coconut milk and chicken broth. Bring to simmer, stirring to dissolve the curry paste into the liquid. Then add the mango, fish sauce and kaffir lime leaves.
- Turn heat down to medium and simmer for 12 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened. Adjust saltiness using fish sauce.
- Serve over jasmine rice, garnished with coriander/cilantro, wedges of lime and slices of red chilli, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Hsi says
This is my first time to make Thai Curry. Besides chicken, onion, and all the spices, I also added sliced bell pepper, carrot, and mushroom. It is so delicious! 5 stars! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
Alan says
Great recipe! I modified a little…used chopped mango instead of purée, omitted the chicken stock, added an extra tbsp of fish sauce and 2 tbsps of palm sugar. A few extra veggies…bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, red bell peppers, sugar snap peas, thin sliced carrot. Superb!
Sherif says
Thank you but there is a video for it ? want to pass it to my mother but she doesn’t understand English 🙁
Nagi says
Hi Sherif, yes it’s one of my older recipes I don’t have a video for just yet sorry! N x
Lori says
Thank you!
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Lori! N x
Lori Green says
What specifically is the red chili in this recipe–thai chili? Fresh, not dried?
Nagi says
Hi Lori – fresh red chilli, you can use any one you like depending on how hot you want your curry 🙂 N x
Heather says
Have you tried adding red bell pepper to the recipe? I have one that I’d like to use up but it is Mango Curry night and I’m absolutely not changing the menu. Thanks!
Nagi says
Go ahead and add it Heather – any chance to add a few extra veggies is great!
Cyndy says
Dear Nagi,
Here it is Mother’s Day, and I’m stuck in Florida doing laundry and making my own dinner. This pandemic is a bummer, but at least it’s Florida and not some cold part of the country, waiting for warmth.
My question is on the Thai Mango Curry (husband looooooooooooves, I should be making it on Father’s Day instead. 🙂
I have fresh kaffir lime leaves. They come attached in twos. When you say two kaffir leaves, do you mean two double leaves or one? leaf of two lobes? I usually use two doubles, but I was just wondering for other recipes how lime leaves are counted.
Hugs to Dozer, from our 12-1/2 yr old golden, Crosby. He doesn’t like to cook, but he sure likes to “help” by lying in front of the place I need to go first (pantry, fridge, sink…)
Nagi says
Hi Cyndy, I can’t believe you’re cooking your own dinner!!! When I say one, I generally mean one leaf (not the double) – however it doesn’t really matter, lime leaves are amazing and the aroma they give off is superb that you could always add more 🙂 N x
Samantha says
Hi Nagi, would this recipe work in a slow cooker?
Nagi says
Hi Samantha, not really – you need the sauce simmering to thicken and reduce slightly 🙂 N x
Heidi says
I only have green curry paste in the fridge, do you think it’s a suitable substitute? Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi Heidi – yes definitely! N x
aussiebushgirl says
Hi Nagi. Can I substitute fresh mangoes with frozen? Thanks.
Kristín Helga says
This recipe was so good. Whole family loved it my mom asked me where I got the recipe.
Addie says
Hi Nagi,
Can I freeze this recipe?
Nagi says
Sounds like you nailed it Kristin!! N x
Helen says
This was fabulous, have had requests to make again and again before mangoes become hideously expensive again in Melb
Nagi says
Yes! You must! N x
Debbie says
Hi just made this tonight so yummy and the whole family loved it. Will become the new favorite.
Nagi says
Wahoo! That’s great Debbie!
Penny says
How far ahead of time can this be made, would like to make it for a crowd
Nagi says
Hi Penny, this one reheats beautifully, so you can make a day or so ahead and just reheat to serve – N x
Lia a says
This turned out very good! In fact, it tastes similar to what we would order at a Thai restaurant. I doubled the recipe and added a few things I had on hand, used 1 onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 large carrot, a couple of handfuls of baby yellow potatoes, 3# of chicken thigh fillets, and a bag of peas (frozen and thrown in to simmer). Turned out great. I could probably throw in another handful of potatoes next time.
Nagi says
Sounds great Lia!!
Lyn says
This recipe is now a firm favourite, made it several times and add some green beans and red capsicum. I too find Maesri curry paste too hot so I use 1/3 of a can for this recipe and also the Thai Green Curry which is also a favourite.
Sally says
The flavour in this recipe was delicious….only thing we found that brand of paste you suggested was quite hot. Do you have a milder recommendation? Am really enjoying many of your recipes! Thank you
Nagi says
Hi Sally, If you found it too hot, try Volcom or Ayam brand – these are sweeter 🙂
Angela Stubbings says
Amazing curry added some peanuts and spinach.
Nagi says
A great addition Angela!
Tonya says
I made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! My husband loved it. The mango was a great added flavor. At the end I added a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (cooked in the microwave). Easy to make will definitely make again.
Nagi says
Perfect Tonya!
Miriam says
Very good! I used the low-fat coconut milk and added haricot vert and yellow bell pepper.
Nagi says
SOunds amazing Miriam!