Love Thai Chicken Curry? It’s super easy to make as a one-pan casserole in the oven. This Thai Chicken Curry Casserole is a fast and easy Southeast Asian inspired Whole30 supper that the whole family will enjoy!
Some people stockpile emergency rations like pasta and beans, but in my pantry, you’re more likely to find a stash of Thai curry paste and coconut milk. When an emergency hits (like ravenous dinner guests), I can combine these ingredients to create a potent one-two flavor punch. And with this recipe, prep time is negligible: I just stir together the curry paste and coconut milk with a few pantry staples, toss in some meat and veggies, and bake. Crisis averted!
COOKING TIPS, SUBSTITUTIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Can I use a different color Thai curry paste, like green or yellow?
Yes! I use whatever color Thai curry paste I have available in my fridge or pantry. Normally, I use yellow or red because those two varieties are usually less spicy than the green kind, and my kids don’t love super spicy food.
Favorite Thai curry paste brands?
My two favorite brands are Aroy-D and Mae Ploy because they don’t contain any weird ingredients and they taste the most authentic. Warning: these curry pastes are a bit spicier than the Thai pastes you can buy at American grocery stores. Use a little less if you don’t like spicy! You can find them at your neighborhood Asian grocery store or online.
What other protein can I use?
I’ve used sliced beef sirloin and sliced pork with great success. I don’t recommend adding a quick cooking protein like shrimp or fish—they’re more likely to get overcooked in the casserole.
Can I change the vegetables?
Definitely! I’ll throw in chopped bok choy or cauliflower in place of the broccoli to add some variety. The vegetables tend to get a little softer in this casserole, so pick a veggie that you don’t mind getting saucy and tender in the curry sauce.
How do you make this ahead?
You can toss all of the ingredients into a casserole dish and keep it in the fridge for up to a day or two before baking.
What can I do with the rest of the Thai curry paste?
Make more Thai dishes! I have a more traditional stovetop quick and easy recipe for Thai Curry Chicken here. Also, if you’re going with a Thai theme for dinner, you might as well make my Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup) as well! Got beef? Make my Instant Pot Thai Beef Curry recipe! All three are Whole30-friendly.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Thai red curry paste (or whichever color you prefer), use only 2 tablespoons if you’ve got a spicy Thai paste and you want it more mild
- 1 (14-ounce can) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoons Red Boat fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1½ teaspoons Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt (use ¾ teaspoon salt if using Morton’s kosher salt or fine grain salt)
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch slices
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into thin strips
- Juice from 1 lime
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Equipment:
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Large bowl
- Measuring spoons
- 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish
- Aluminum foil (or an oven-safe lid for casserole)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle position. Prep the ingredients as the oven heats up.
In a large bowl, combine the curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce, coconut aminos, and kosher salt.
Whisk well.
Add the sliced chicken…
…and the onion, carrots, broccoli, and bell pepper. Toss well.
Transfer the contents to a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole or baking dish.
Cover tightly with foil…
…and shove it in the oven.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through and bubbly.
Stir in the lime juice and herbs, and serve immediately. This Thai Chicken Curry Casserole pairs perfectly with Simple Cauliflower Rice!
Want more inspiration from my past January Whole30s? Check out my Day 14 posts from 2018 and 2017!
- 2018 Whole30 Day 14: Big-O Bacon Burgers
- 2017 Whole30 Day 14: Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Frittata Muffins
A note to my Nomsters: This is one of a series of daily blog posts I’m writing in the month of January 2019 to help those doing a Whole30 to kick off the New Year. Not sure what the Whole30 is, or want info on how to get started? Read my Whole30 prep post—and then come back to Nom Nom Paleo every single day for recipes to inspire, delight, and sustain you on your Whole30!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Thai Chicken Curry Casserole
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Thai red curry paste or whichever color you prefer, use only 2 tablespoons if you’ve got a spicy Thai paste and you want it more mild
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoons Red Boat fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt use ¾ teaspoon salt if using Morton’s kosher salt or fine grain salt
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion thinly sliced
- 3 large carrots peeled and cut into ¼-inch slices
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 1 medium red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and cut into thin strips
- Juice from 1 lime
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle position. Prep the ingredients as the oven heats up.
- In a large bowl, combine the curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce, coconut aminos, and kosher salt. Whisk well.
- Add the sliced chicken, and the onion, carrots, broccoli, and bell pepper. Toss well.
- Transfer the contents to a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole or baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and shove it in the oven.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through and bubbly. Stir in the lime juice and herbs, and serve immediately. This Thai Chicken Curry Casserole pairs perfectly with Simple Cauliflower Rice!
