Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Curry Recipe | Foodal (2024)

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I realize the week before Thanksgiving is not exactly the ideal time to post a Thai chicken curry recipe, not when the majority of American cooks at this very moment are abuzz with all kinds of plans revolving around turkey, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie.

But please, forgive me.

I have this habit of assuming all of you out there aren’t so different from me, so maybe this year your Thanksgiving is a little different from others in the past.

You might be celebrating the holiday on a different date, visiting with loved ones in different ways than you might have before, or sharing the meal with a different number of guests or a different menu than you might usually.

Maybe finding yet another Thanksgiving recipe is not the most pressing issue on your mind today, but rather, you’re more focused on what to make for dinner tonight. Or perhaps preparing a whole roast turkey just isn’t going to work for you this year, and you’re seeking an alternative.

I’m still going to be making turkey of some sort for the holiday, but I also know that I still need to eat this week! So I’m happy to share this delicious dish, something easy and quick to prepare that’s super flavorful.

With a few adaptations, you could even use this recipe to use up those roast turkey leftovers, or make it with turkey breast instead of chicken. Yum!

The truth is, even if I were in charge of serving a big meal next Thursday, that would typically mean remaking a dozen or so of the same dishes my family eats every year: turkey, potatoes, and green beans, maybe a gelatin mold, and some homemade cranberry sauce.

Overall, our Thanksgiving meals are generally pretty predictable. Can you relate?

In this social media-driven world of the latest and greatest, the newest and the best, the predictable can sometimes feel like a bad thing. But in truth, when it comes to the holidays, I’ve found predictable means the stability and security of gathering around the table to do the same thing we’ve done for so many past years.

That’s something I find as comforting as looking through old baby albums, or hearing the sounds of my dad making his coffee in the morning when we’re visiting them at home.

If you are celebrating the holiday this year in a way that looks a little different from the routine of years past, even if you’ll be dining on your own on Thanksgiving Day, I hope you’re able to prepare at least a few dishes that bring you comfort.

I hope you can share some laughter with friends and loved ones, and that you find a way to celebrate family togetherness in a way that feels meaningful, even if you’re far away.

This curry recipe that I have for you today may be a dish that you’re eager to make now, in advance of the holiday, or one you might put away for later. Maybe it will be the centerpiece of your holiday meal. I’m excited to share it with you, for whenever it might be the perfect fit.

This foolproof dinner is wonderful for busy days, and it’s an excellent meal that you can set and forget, so you have something warm and delicious to come home to if you’re able to turn your slow cooker on just a few hours in advance of meal time.

But mostly, if you’re that particular type of kindred soul that I have in mind as I’m writing this, the one who has tasted and loved a good Thai chicken stew enjoyed with friends – a dish that they thought was oh-so-good, with just the right amount of heat – and if this is something that you find yourself craving regularly while reminiscing about the slight burn that it left in your throat, you’re going to love this.

At my house, we love eating this meal for dinner and then chowing down on the leftovers again the next day. It has us reaching for our water glasses with smiles on our faces every time we make it.

Quick and simple, with the spicy fire of the curry paste, the kick of fresh ginger, and the cool splash of lime squeezed on top, this has become my go-to Thai slow cooker recipe, Thanksgiving week or not.

The only downside I see with this recipe is that you will need Thai curry paste to make it, and I’d hate to force you to make an extra trip to the grocery store. I’ve found it can sometimes be a little expensive, but I hope it won’t be hard to find – and in terms of flavor, it really makes this dish, so please don’t skip it.

You can choose to use red or green, whichever you’re in the mood for. For me, the jarred options have become a pantry staple.

Jars of red or green curry paste are also available from Thai Kitchen in packs of six. You can find them on Amazon.

Also, note that this recipe calls for onions and bell peppers as the vegetables, but you can feel free to substitute them with whatever you have on hand or whatever is fresh and in season. Chopped sweet potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini all make wonderful additions, as do carrots, snow peas, or mushrooms. There are loads of possibilities to try.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I hope you know how thankful I am for each of you.

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Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep and Measure Ingredients

Peel and mince a knob of fresh ginger that is about 2 to 3 inches in length.

Peel and mince 3 cloves of garlic, or push them through your garlic press.

Cut the chicken breast into 2-inch pieces. You could also use turkey breast to make this recipe.

Peel and chop one medium yellow onion. For me, this was about one cup chopped.

Remove the seeds and stems before chopping one red and one green bell pepper. I got 1 little under 1 cup chopped from each pepper.

If you’d prefer to use a different combination of vegetables, aim for about the same total quantity as whatever you are subbing out, and be sure to cut the vegetables uniformly to promote even cooking. Harder vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes should be peeled and then cut small enough to cook through.

Cut a lime into four wedges.

Measure out all of the remaining ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.

Step 2 – Combine in Slow Cooker

Add the coconut milk, soy sauce, curry paste, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, chicken, onion, and peppers to your slow cooker.

Stir to combine, and make sure everything is coated well.

Toss a lime wedge into the mixture. Reserve the remaining wedges, setting them aside for later.

Step 3 – Slow Cook

Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.

Remove the cover and stir in the salt. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired. Remove the lime.

Serve the finished dish over white rice, with the remaining fresh lime wedges for garnish.