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Crockpot Coconut Chicken Curry with Crispy Shallot Basil Oil. A cozy Thai-inspired chicken curry for cold winter days. Made in the crockpot by mixing chicken with ground turmeric, ginger, and spices, then adding coconut milk, sweet potatoes, and a splash of fish sauce for a Thai-inspired curry. It’s perfectly creamy, spicy, and warming. Serve over basmati rice with crispy shallot oil and fresh herbs. Looks fancy, but is so easy!
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The very first recipe of 2023 and it’s such is a cozy one. Oh, how I love this slow cooker curry chicken. It’s a reflection of how I cook today, simple, but with plenty of flavor and one special element (the shallots you all!). I am so excited to share!
With the short, cold January days, my plan is to share only cozy, yet wholesome recipes. We may all be doing a January reset, but our food should still warm us up inside!
This curry is that perfect dish! And I love how simple it is to create.
My family has all been here in Colorado for the holidays. New Year’s Eve was filled with snow, it was very pretty and so cozy.
The only thing I wanted to cook was soup or curry. Since everyone had been outside in the snow all day, I thought a creamy slow cooker chicken curry could be perfect. Especially one with some spice to help keep the winter cold away!
I wanted this dish to have flavor, so I used a mix of turmeric, ginger, shallots, and garlic. A touch of fish sauce and fresh lime juice helped to tie in the Thai flavors even more.
Here are the details
There’s really nothing fancy about this dish. Everything is put together in the crockpot. Mix the chicken (I use a mix of breast and chicken thighs) with ground turmeric, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper. Use the cayenne to your taste.
Then, the fresh ingredients: shallots, garlic, and a handful of ginger slices. Pour over a couple cans of coconut milk and add the sweet potatoes and fish sauce. If you don’t enjoy fish sauce, use a touch of tamari or soy sauce.
Let everything slow cook and allow the crockpot to do its thing. If you’re cooking longer than 4-5 hours, I recommend adding the sweet potatoes about 3 hours before serving. The sweet potatoes get really soft and fall apart the longer you cook. They end up melting into the coconut sauce, which actually makes it even creamier.
So it’s up to you! Just a heads up that they will break up the longer you cook them.
The shallot oil
Technically, this step makes this a 2-3 step cooking process, which I know is annoying when using the crockpot. But the oil is worth it.
First, fry the shallots in sesame or peanut oil. This only takes a few minutes. Next, remove the heat and add Thai red curry paste and lots of fresh basil. I used regular Italian basil since it’s all my grocery had, but if you have access, use Thai basil.
Fry the shallots before serving. Then make a big pot of rice, you could also do cauliflower rice. Enjoy the chicken and curry sauce over the rice with lots of chili oil and shallots. Oh, and be sure to find some naan bread or your favorite flatbread to really sop up all the sauce.
I always add fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime too. Leftovers can easily be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Such a flavorful, colorful dinner to start off the New Year. Fresh, but cozy! Exactly how I want 2023 to feel!
Looking for other cozy, wholesome dinners? Here are some favorites:
Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Chinese Mushroom Dumplings with Sweet Chili Ginger Sesame Sauce
Easiest Coconut Cauliflower Adobo
Sheet Pan Salmon with Citrus Avocado Salsa and Potatoes
Roasted Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Olive Dressing
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Coconut Chicken Curry with Crispy Shallot Basil Oil, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Coconut Chicken Curry with Crispy Shallot Basil Oil
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/4-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 cans full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
- kosher salt
- 2 cups sweet potato chunks, thicker is better
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Crispy Shallot Oil
- 1/2 cup sesame or peanut oil
- 3-4 shallots thinly sliced
- 1-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- chili flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Thai or regular basil
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. In the bowl of the crockpot, toss the chicken with the turmeric, ground ginger, cayenne, and sesame oil. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, sweet potatoes, and fish sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours.2. Remove the lid, cook 30 minutes on high to thicken the sauce. Stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt.3. To make the shallot oil. In a skillet, cook the sesame oil and shallots over medium heat until they begin turning golden and crisp, 5 minutes. Using a fork, remove the shallots from the oil. Set aside.4. Turn the heat off, stir in the red curry paste, basil, and chili flakes. Season with salt. 5. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice. Drizzle with oil and top with shallots.
Instant Pot – done in 30 minutes
- 1. In the bowl of the instant pot, toss the chicken with the turmeric, ground ginger, cayenne, and sesame oil. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, sweet potatoes, and fish sauce. Cover and cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes. 2. Release the steam, switch the instant pot to sauté, and cook 10 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt.3. Finish as directed above.
Stove – 45 minutes or so
- 1. In a Dutch oven, combine the chicken with the turmeric, ground ginger, cayenne, and sesame oil. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, sweet potatoes, and fish sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and falling apart. 2. Remove the lid, and simmer over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt.3. Finish as directed above.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
what should I change to reduce this recipe in half? Would it be less cooking time?
Hi there,
You can cut the recipe in half and then cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
Seriously, amazing!! This was the tastiest dish! Even my kids liked it! They said, “Mom, you should open your own restaurant!” Ha!
Hey Michele,
Awesome! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I have been making this crockpot dish for a couple years, since my first baby was one. The whole family loves it, it’s so easy and flavourful! Im making it for dinner tonight and my second baby, who just turned one, will get to try and enjoy it! Thanks for making such wonderful family friendly, healthy, fresh recipes. 🙂
Hey Myriah,
Big thanks for making this recipe so often and sharing back. So glad it always hits the spot!
Have the best week!
I thought this was delicious!! I only used one can of coconut milk because I read the recipe wrong (whoops).. but turned out great.
Hey Ashleigh,
Fantastic! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks so much for making it!
Have a wonderful week!
Can you make this in a bigger batch (x4 let’s say) but not use a slow cooker. Like on the stove or in the oven? Asking for a community cooking class. Thank you
Hey there,
Sure, I don’t see why not! I would just be sure the pot you are using is large enough to hold all of the ingredients.
I hope you love this dish!
I loved much of the curry but the sweet potatoes completely overpowered the dish!!!! Wayyyyyyy to much for me!!!!Not sure I’ll make it again but if I do I’d omit or substitute the sweet potatoes?? With what?????
Hi Janie,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback! So sorry about the sweet potatoes. You could certainly use another veggie of your liking next time!
This recipe is soooo good ! Im gonna make it again tonight because I dream of it ! 😅😇
Hey Sophie,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your thoughts—so happy it worked for you!
Have the best weekend!
Not curry…not even close. We made the slow cooker version which doesn’t include the curry paste other than as an oil topping. It’s coconut milk and chicken with overcooked sweet potatoes and undercooked ginger. Tossed the rest in the garbage.
Making this this week…quick question, toasted sesame oil or regular? I love and have toasted but not sure how it would taste here.
Hey Lisa,
For this recipe, I use regular sesame oil, not toasted:)
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
This curry is absolutely incredible. I added mini sweet peppers and carrots and it turned out perfectly. Will now be a regular in the dinner rotation.
Hey Dani,Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad it was enjoyed:)
Happy Holidays!
I am making this tonight so hopefully you’ll see this. I’m wondering if I cut up the chicken before putting it into the crock pot and if so, how big should the pieces be?
Thank you
Hi there,
No need to cut the chicken before adding it to the crockpot:) I hope you love this recipe!
I thought this was delicious. My husband asked why it didn’t taste like curry and I thought, hmm, good question. It didn’t really have a curry flavor. Still, I’ll make it again.
Thanks so much, Jane! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it and your feedback!
I made this last night using the slow cooker button on my pressure cooker. My husband and I agreed- it might just be the most delicious savory recipe I’ve ever made. It was a little tedious to fry the shallots- I made the mistake of trying to fry too many at one time. Once I made the batches smaller, it was quick. It was rich and creamy and while the sweet potatoes cover any trace of the fishiness, the fish sauce adds a umami flavor that sends this dish over the top. The curry paste loaded with basil is another layer of flavor. The crispy shallots added texture to the creaminess. I served it over half jasmine rice and half quinoa. I toasted some naan I had in the freezer and it was a perfect accompaniment. The only bummer was that I forgot the cilantro! It is listed in the ingredients but is forgotten in the steps. I’ll be adding some as I devour the leftovers today. This will be a dish I serve to guests- the presentation is gorgeous.
Hey Dana,
Love to hear this! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your comment. Have the best weekend!
Love this so much. Its on rotation as a meal prep for me, and I’ve probably eaten it at least 30 times in the past 9 months. The shallot oil is too much fuss for me, especially with meal prepping, so I add the extra ingredients (minus the extra oil) to the crockpot at the beginning. Can’t go wrong with this.
Hey Isa,
Awesome! Love to hear you have been enjoying this recipe, I appreciate you making it so often!
Have a wonderful day!
We used fresh grated turmeric and only had one can of coconut milk and bone-in chicken thighs – still came out delicious! I mixed the leftovers with chicken broth and served over rice vermicelli and bok choy to make really yummy noodle soup!
Hey Elaine,
Really appreciate you making this recipe and reporting back. Thrilled it turned out well!
Absolutely delicious. It’s curry but even better. The crispy shallots with curry oil is amazing. You will want to serve this to guests. It’s that good!
Hey Debbie,
Awesome! Love to hear this dish turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it!
Delicious I will keep this in rotation. The only thing I added was chicken broth and it was delicious.
Hey Nichole,
Happy Sunday!🎃 Thanks for giving this recipe a whirl, so glad it turned out nicely for you!