Exploring authentic foods such as Thai food has grown in popularity over the years with an abundance of restaurants lining city streets. Most likely you’ve got your favorite go-to Thai restaurant that you call for delicious takeout on those nights you just don’t feel like cooking. As much as we all love to order from the extensive list of flavorful dishes, our friend Hanan from @ohmygoodiescc, has sent us her easy to make, favorite Thai Coconut Curry Chicken recipe featuring Pure Flavor® Aurora bites Mini Sweet Peppers. Ready in under an hour, it will have your family thinking you ordered out and asking for seconds!
Do you love the complex flavors of authentic Thai food? Or better yet, do you look forward to ordering Thai takeout at the end of a busy week when you just don’t feel like cooking? What if I were to tell you that you are fully capable of making a popular Thai takeout recipe in the comfort of your own home, in under an hour’s time, and using pantry items that you most likely already have? “Fake-out takeout” recipes are some of my favorites to create. I love being able to take a dish that I would order anytime I’m out and figure out how to make it at home for the family. This is especially rewarding when those dishes are as easy and delicious as my Thai Coconut Curry Chicken recipe.
The simplicity of this particular dish allows for incorporating some of my favorite fresh peppers! We enjoy having Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers on hand for lunches and everyday snacking, but they are also terrific to use in recipes! In addition to Aurora Bites being surprisingly sweet and crispy on their own, they complement this dish perfectly. The way they elevate the flavor of the sweet coconut milk and fresh basil will have your taste buds dancing! They’re also loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin B6 so they’re super healthy too —that’s a win-win in my books. If my kids are able to enjoy a dish and also add to their vitamin intake, I’m all in. I normally have to chop up extra peppers to replace the ones that my kids have eaten as I’m preparing my ingredients which goes to show you just how much they love them!
MUST HAVE INGREDIENTS
Aside from Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers, you’ll only need a handful of other ingredients – olive oil, chicken breast, garlic, onions, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, salt, pepper & fresh basil. Nothing out of the ordinary here! Most things are easy to find in your local grocery store and can be kept in the pantry for last minute meal options. I’ve added some heavy cream to make it a little creamier but that can be eliminated if you would prefer to keep your curry dairy-free. It will not change the flavor of the dish, it just adds an extra level of richness. Whichever option you choose, you will not be disappointed in the taste.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
The trick in putting this dish together quickly is to start with thin slices of chicken as they will cook quickly and evenly. Also, the thinner the slices, the better the chicken absorbs all the flavors that you’re going to add in the pan. A helpful tip you might want to try is mixing up the coconut milk before adding it to your pan. You may find that when you open the can that the milk has separated. Not to worry! Simply make sure to give them a good shake before you open or pour everything into a bowl and give it a quick whisk to combine.
This all comes together in one pan which I also love! On medium heat, add olive oil and then the chicken to a skillet and stir until fully cooked. Next, add crushed garlic and stir in evenly, then stir in onions and peppers. Allow the veggies to cook for about 5 minutes. For the best texture and flavor, you will want the Aurora Bites to be just a little tender but still maintaining their crispiness. This allows the peppers to still have the fresh crunch that we all love. Stir in coconut milk, cream and curry paste and bring to a simmer. At this point you can season to taste, reduce the heat to medium-low, and add in some fresh basil. Let this simmer all together for about 5 minutes while stirring continually and then it’s ready to serve.
I love to serve this over rice as it soaks up the creamy, delicious coconut curry sauce. Basmati is my favorite side for this dish, but this recipe also goes great with a side of rice noodles, or even steamed cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a lower calorie option. If you’re choosing Basmati, cook to package directions but for a little more flavor, I like to add 1 tsp of garlic powder and 1 tsp of dried basil to the water before it begins to boil. Choose the side dish that your family will love the most and get ready for them to fall in love with this “fake-out takeout” dish!
BETTER THAN TAKEOUT
Though we are often tempted by the quick turn-around time from ordering takeout to serving dinner, everyone knows there is nothing like a home cooked meal. By using high-quality, always in season vegetables like Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers, your home cooked dish can be full of authentic flavors that your family will love. The best part of making it yourself is that you get to control the type of ingredients that go into each dish and tailor it exactly to your family’s liking – this definitely increases the chances of the kids clearing their plates!
No matter what style of cooking you do, or the dishes that you are planning to try, Pure Flavor® has got you covered with providing fresh, healthy, and flavorful greenhouse grown vegetables all year round. This makes the choice to cook at home versus ordering in that much easier to make. Experience the difference Pure Flavor® veggies will make in your favorite recipes like this Thai Coconut Curry Chicken. Your family may not believe you when you tell them that this authentic and delicious dish was made right in your own kitchen and most certainly, they will be asking for you to make this again and again!
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