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 per serving assuming 4 servings using only Coconut Milk per Note 3.
Nutrition Information:
I made this for my family this evening and it went down a storm. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned it great!
Thanks so much, Nagi, and greetings from the UK! I’ve just discovered your site and can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Wow, this one was very easy but… another beautiful, restaurant quality meal that worked perfectly first time. I **love** that you make it possible to put together a themed banquet. You’re amazing. Thank you so much Nagi!
I want to make this – it looks amazing! But cant use the store bought curry paste as it has sugar in it. Would I just make the curry paste you have highlighted in the text?
Hi Monica, you could definitely make the curry paste from scratch that I have linked, yes! N x
Made this last night, it was so good. As you said Nagi it doesn’t taste sweet at all the mangos just blend into the sauce & thicken it u perfectly. My husband went back for 3rds!
I’m so glad it was a hit Jacinta, that’s great to hear! N x
This was my 2nd time making this, but I found fresh kaffir like leaves this time. OMG what a huge, delicious difference. I still added a can of garbonzo beans, so there would be enough for a freezer meal next time. My fiancé and I love this recipe!
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.
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!
Thank you but there is a video for it ? want to pass it to my mother but she doesn’t understand English 🙁
Hi Sherif, yes it’s one of my older recipes I don’t have a video for just yet sorry! N x
Thank you!
You’re so welcome Lori! N x
What specifically is the red chili in this recipe–thai chili? Fresh, not dried?
Hi Lori – fresh red chilli, you can use any one you like depending on how hot you want your curry 🙂 N x
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!
Go ahead and add it Heather – any chance to add a few extra veggies is great!
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…)
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
Hi Nagi, would this recipe work in a slow cooker?
Hi Samantha, not really – you need the sauce simmering to thicken and reduce slightly 🙂 N x
I only have green curry paste in the fridge, do you think it’s a suitable substitute? Thanks!
Hi Heidi – yes definitely! N x
Hi Nagi. Can I substitute fresh mangoes with frozen? Thanks.
This recipe was so good. Whole family loved it my mom asked me where I got the recipe.
Sounds like you nailed it Kristin!! N x