Panaeng Chicken Curry

Maesri panaeng curry with chicken, coconut cream, kaffir lime, and chili — served with rice and naan.

Prep
20 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Serves
4

Ingredients

  • 320 grams (about ¾ lb) boneless chicken breast, cut into ¼ inch thick pieces (any meat will work)
  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 4 tablespoons Maesri Panaeng curry paste
  • 1.5 cans coconut cream
  • 4 tablespoons red spur Thai chili, thinly sliced (jalapeños are a decent backup)
  • 8 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar (or substitute sugar)
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil

Coconut cream topping (optional)

  • 4 cups coconut cream
  • 8 teaspoons (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons) cornstarch

For serving

  • 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
  • 3 garlic naan from Trader Joe’s

Method

  1. Cut the chicken into ¼ inch thick slices.
  2. Heat the cooking oil in a large deep skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the Panaeng curry paste and cook until fragrant.
  3. Stir in half of the coconut cream and continue cooking until the oil begins to separate on the surface.
  4. Add the chicken and cook until it just turns white (about 20% cooked).
  5. Pour in the rest of the coconut cream. Stir in the fish sauce and palm sugar.
  6. Simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and the curry has thickened.
  7. Stir in the sliced kaffir lime leaves and red chili, then remove from the heat.
  8. If making the coconut cream topping, whisk together the coconut cream and cornstarch. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until slightly thickened.
  9. Create a mound of jasmine rice in the center of a pasta bowl and add the curry alongside warm naan. Garnish with the thickened coconut cream, additional kaffir lime leaves, sliced red chili, and fresh basil if desired.