Kaffir Lime Coconut Chicken Curry

by Kiran on December 13, 2012 · 22 comments

in Chicken, Curries, Malaysia

Good news, my friends!

My mom didn’t need much convincing in handing over most of her cookbooks & recipe collection she has in her possession.

I’m sensing the jealously from my siblings 😉

I was about to “cook” some stories to convince her in handing over the books.

Looks like mom was well-prepared, whereas I was left spell-bounded over the collection of authentic Malaysian recipes — from newspaper clippings to old cookbooks — all collected over so many years.

The scent of old-paper lingers in the air as I make my way over pages of delectable recipes — some of which I’m literally “dying” to eat. While others’ awaits to be tested in my kitchen.

Since landing in Malaysia last Friday night, profound emotions took over me. There’s no way anything can be better than returning to the soil where “home” and family awaits for us to visit.

While we are spending much needed time with the family, join us on your family table by making this simple curry.

Filled with aromatic flavors of Malaysia– this recipe translates simplicity to a whole new level. There’s slight sweetness from coconut milk which is complemented with aromatics from lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves.

I’m off to catch up on gossips, sip on local drinks and gobble my heart out with the most delicious street foods I’ve been eyeing for a while now. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram to catch us in action. Proceed with caution — it’s deliciousness from here on 😉

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (chopped bite size)
  • 3/4 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 2 to 3 dried red chilies, bruised
  • 1/2 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp lemongrass paste (or 2 stalks of fresh lemongrass, bruised)
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic paste
  • 4 small kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 can (1.5 cup) coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 to 3 tbsp fresh lime juice

Garnish: Fresh coriander leaves

Directions:

  1. Heat a non-stick large saucepan on medium. Add coconut oil and wait until it heats.
  2. Add red chilies and bruise for 30 seconds, before adding black mustard seeds. Wait for the seeds to sputter.
  3. Once mustard seeds sputters, add lemongrass, ginger-garlic paste and kaffir lime leaves. Fry for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
  4. Add chopped boneless skinless chicken breasts and fry for a minute. Drizzle in coconut milk.
  5. Gently simmer gravy for a few minutes before adding green beans.
  6. Cover and gently simmer for 12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, beans are tender and gravy slightly thickens.
  7. Add fish sauce, salt and fresh lime juice. Stir to combine.
  8. Serve hot with steamed rice.

 

Have a great week, my friends. I’m aware I have a lot of catching up to do, but family is a priority at the moment. We truly appreciate your readership and joining us in our journey 🙂

Off to pack for Bangalore — see you from India, tomorrow 🙂

Have you inherited a collection of recipes/cookbooks from your family? Any favorite “hand-down” recipes?

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Rosa December 13, 2012 at 8:52 AM

Lucky you! 😉

That curry looks and sounds amazing! What gorgeous fragrances. I love kaffir lime leaves…

Cheers,

Rosa

2 Laura (Tutti Dolci) December 13, 2012 at 11:50 AM

I love the flavors in this curry, how scrumptious!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-peppermint bundt cake {#25RecipestoXmas}

3 chinmayie @ love food eat December 13, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Curries are always close to my heart 🙂 Love this simple hearty coconutty curry. Just what I crave for on most days…

4 Alyssa (Everyday Maven) December 13, 2012 at 12:54 PM

That sounds amazing – printing now! I cannot wait to see what recipe gems you have uncovered and will be cooking!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..{Whole Wheat} Gingerbread Biscotti

5 Choc Chip Uru December 13, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Your mum my friend is such a sweetie!
And this dish looks incredibly delicious!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Guest Post #4: Chestnut Bread

6 tania@mykitchenstories.com.au December 13, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Cant wait for more adventures. This curry looks beautiful and the pictures more so
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au recently posted..Cocktail Food Ideas for Christmas

7 Sarah December 13, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Wow – what a wonderful gift to receive from your Mum! And this curry looks amazing, I love the way you have styled it as well. Gorgeous!
Sarah recently posted..Peach, Pistachio Cheesecake Fairy Bread – A Recipe

8 Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings December 14, 2012 at 12:49 AM

Oh, my heart is beating fast. I definitely want to try this! Anything stewed in coconut milk is a winner in my book! Wish I had a bowl of this now, with some steaming plain white rice!
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Mildly-Spiced Chicken (Murg ke Mokul)

9 Tadka Pasta December 14, 2012 at 1:10 AM

Mmm..what a curry! We’re big fans of lemon ‘n lime. Happy Holidays!
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10 Sommer@ASpicyPerspective December 14, 2012 at 10:17 AM

Wow, that looks ridiculously divine! Must try…
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Mini Cheese Balls in Fillo Shells

11 Katerina December 14, 2012 at 11:54 AM

No place is like home Kiran! Enjoy your vacations and the beautiful food of your countries! I am sure my husband would love this chicken as he is a big fan of coconut!
Katerina recently posted..Kataifi with Apples and Almonds and The Winners’ Announcement

12 Honey What's Cooking December 14, 2012 at 1:30 PM

OMG, I didn’t know you were born in Malaysia, whoops! Sorry! This looks so good, I love coconut curries with chicken, they remind me of Thai food. Where can I buy Kaffir leaves/paste? Would they sell it at the Indian grocery store, or do I need to visit the Asian store?

Thanks!
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Gift Guide – My Favorite Things under $200

13 Nancy/SpicieFoodie December 14, 2012 at 6:34 PM

How lucky are you! Congratulations its great. Your curry looks beautiful and so delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie recently posted..Cooking Mashed Potatoes by Feel and The Yummy Pics Community

14 Jennifer (Delicieux) December 14, 2012 at 11:46 PM

What a divine looking curry! I love all the flavours you have going on in there. Enjoy your vacation!
Jennifer (Delicieux) recently posted..12 Treats of Christmas: Candy Cane Cake

15 mustardseed December 15, 2012 at 1:18 PM

The dish looks amazing! I can imagine the flavors of the curry with kaffir lime, coconut milk and lemongrass! YUM!

16 Ina gawne December 15, 2012 at 10:23 PM

Kiran…my mouth is watering…I sooo want to dive into this dish! Enjoy your holiday! 🙂
Ina gawne recently posted..CURRIED WILD RICE AND CRANBERRY PILAF

17 Raymund December 16, 2012 at 2:45 AM

Nice curry dish, definitely I will ask lots of rice with those as I will definitely eat a lot when its served to me
Raymund recently posted..Smoked Chicken, Spinach and Camembert Pizza

18 Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking December 16, 2012 at 12:49 PM

I love the bright flavors of this beautiful curry, Kiran! It looks so delicious and comforting during this cold time of year for us!

19 Cass @foodmyfriend December 16, 2012 at 6:03 PM

Now I have to start plotting how I will steal my Mums recipe book! hehe. Love this. i would swap the chicken for potato 🙂
Cass @foodmyfriend recently posted..The Spider Man Cake

20 Asmita December 18, 2012 at 9:48 AM

I cannot wait to try this! Looks and sounds amazing!
Asmita recently posted..Home-Style Chicken Masala Curry

21 Mike March 19, 2014 at 8:22 PM

Where are the kaffir lime leaves in this recipe? Did I miss something or am I a complete newb?

22 Kiran June 29, 2015 at 8:46 PM

Oh yikes! Thanks for pointing it out. I just edited the recipe to include kaffir lime leaves 😀

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