Massaman Chicken Curry – aromatic, flavor-packed and full of curry richness, yet mild on spice (heat), this traditional Thai dish combines an exotic blend of spices and creamy coconut milk to make an irresistible and delightful curry chicken dish.
Massaman Chicken Curry is a traditional Thai dish that combines an exotic blend of spices and creamy coconut milk to make an irresistible and delightful curry chicken dish. It’s aromatic, flavor-packed, and full of curry richness, yet mild on spice (heat).
Massaman Chicken Curry is traditionally served with rice or noodles on the side. You can also enjoy this delicious meal as a soup by adding more broth to thin it out!
Origins Of Massaman Chicken Curry
You may have heard of massaman curry before, and as the name itself infers, there is an ongoing debate about its origin. Massaman curry is considered a Thai curry with origins in Southern Thailand. This flavorful, yet mild massaman chicken curry dish has tender chicken gently simmered with potatoes, onions, cashews, and authentic massaman flavor.
While most people consider Massman Curry as an authentic Thai dish, there is the common and highly probable belief that “massaman” curry has its origins in the middle east. The most obvious clue is “massaman” is known to be a derivative of masulman, an archaic form of the Persian word for Muslim, and later in the 19th century as mussulman.
The most compelling evidence is the ingredients used for this delicious chicken curry. Massaman curry can contain several spices in the curry mixture that are not traditional ingredients to Thai cuisine, such as turmeric, star anise, cumin, coriander or cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, to name a few.
Regardless of where the dish originated, this massaman chicken curry recipe has an authentic taste and is delicious! Using your choice of curry powder and a few key Asian sauces, you can skip the takeout and make Massaman Curry with Chicken at home.
Why You’ll Love This Massaman Curry with Chicken
- Easy one-pot meal that is easily adaptable to different diets.
- Quick and creative entree using pre-made curry powder.
- Rich in authentic flavor and tastes as good astake out!
Equipment Needed To Make Massaman Curry
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cup
- Large Non-stick Skillet
Ingredients For Thai Chicken Massaman Curry
For this incredible Massaman Chicken Curry dish, you need the following ingredients:
- 1 can coconut milk
- ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon tamari sauce
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed
- 3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup cashews
How To Make An Authentic Massaman Chicken Curry
(Full recipe below….)
- Streamline the process by combining the ingredients that will form the sauce: coconut milk, peanut butter, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, a little fish sauce for umami, and tamari sauce.
- Set the massaman curry sauce mixture aside and get started on dicing potatoes and onions.
Tip: Place diced potatoes in a bowl and cover with water. This removes some of the starch and keeps them from discoloring.)
- Drizzle sesame oil into a large non-stick skillet and turn the burner on medium-high heat, saute the onions then add in the garlic and ginger.
- Next, add the cubed chicken and cook until it is no longer pink.
- Stir in the massaman curry coconut mixture and potatoes; bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cashews and remove from heat.
What to Serve/Pair with Curry
- Jasmine or Basmati Rice
- Steamed Broccolini
- No Bake Coconut Cream Pie
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Add some cilantro leaves for a bright note of flavor and a pretty garnish.
- Make the dish vegetarian by using garbanzo beans or tofu instead of chicken.
- You can add various vegetables of your choice to the recipe, such as carrots, cauliflower, and spinach.
- Lightly toast raw cashews to deepen the flavor.
How to Store Massaman Curry
If you have any leftover massaman curry, cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in your microwave before serving.
You can freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers or bags. To thaw, let it sit overnight on the counter and reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in your microwave before serving.
Other Recipes We Think You’ll Love:
- Thai Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce
- The Best Thai Spicy Basil Chicken Stir-Fry
- Easy Instant Pot Tomato Curry Sauce Recipe
- Ginger Green Juice Recipe
Massaman Curry
Ingredients
- 1 can coconut milk
- ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon tamari sauce
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ¼ pounds skinless boneless chicken breast, cubed
- 3 cups potatoes peeled and diced
- ½ cup cashews
Instructions
- Combine first seven ingredients (coconut milk to tamari sauce) in a bowl and set aside.
- Heat sesame oil on medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. Add onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic.
- Add chicken and cook until it is no longer pink inside.
- Stir in the coconut mixture and potatoes and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cashews. Remove from heat.
Video
Nutrition
Massaman Curry with Chicken Recipe FAQs
Does massaman curry have peanuts?
Yes! Peanuts, or rather peanut butter, is an essential component of the dish.
Is massaman curry dairy-free?
Yes, massaman curry is dairy-free. It gets its creaminess from peanut butter and coconut milk.
Is massaman curry gluten-free?
Yes, because this recipe for massaman curry with chicken is made using tamari, it is gluten-free. It can also be made soy-free by substituting coconut aminos for the tamari.
Can I substitute the coconut milk with something else?
Yes! You can substitute coconut milk with heavy cream or evaporated milk, but your curry will not have the same flavor profile. I do not recommend substituting the coconut milk because it is such a big part of the overall flavor profile, but it can be done.
What if my curry is too thick?
If your curry seems too thick after it’s finished cooking, add a bit more coconut milk and turn the heat up slightly until all of the liquid has been absorbed into the sauce and reheated.
Will the curry be too spicy for my kids?
No, the curry won’t be too spicy for your kids because it is made with a homemade curry mixture and contains no spicy ingredients.
What type of potatoes is the best for this recipe?
Any type of potato will work in this recipe, but I prefer using Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes.
What if I can’t find fish sauce? What can I use instead?
If you can’t find fish sauce, you can substitute soy sauce. Just replace at a 1:1 ratio. Coconut aminos can also be used, but you’ll want to drop it down to a 1:½ ratio as the sweetness can be overpowering.
Can I use pork or beef in this curry recipe instead of chicken?
Yes! Massaman curry is traditionally made with chicken, but you can substitute pork or beef. You’ll want to slice your pork or beef in thin strips for this recipe.
What can I substitute for peanut butter in massaman chicken curry?
Sunbutter, sunflower seed butter, is a natural seed butter and is the substitute that will provide this dish with the closest flavor match for peanut butter. There are other tree nut-free alternatives like Wowbutter, which tastes like peanut butter. If tree nuts are not a problem, you can also try cashew butter or almond butter.
What does umami mean?
Umami is our fifth taste, also known as savory. This taste was discovered around 1907 by a Japanese chemist, Professor Kikunae Ikeda. Umami is classified as one of the five basic tastes, four of which are commonly known: salty, sour, sweet, and bitter.
Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Massaman Curry Turned Out!
Mary says
I did not see when you added the garlic & ginger…?? With onions?
Please advice…Thank You!
Lynda says
Oops! Thanks for pointing that out to me. I have updated the recipe card. I think it is best to add the ginger and garlic after the onions have softened just a bit. If you add garlic too early, it can burn.