Curried Chicken Thighs
Curried Chicken Thighs with a zesty cilantro-peanut salad and lime. This grilled chicken thigh recipe is flavor-packed, nutritious, and an absolute must-try!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Thai
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4 to 6
- 1.5 to 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup yellow curry paste
- Kosher salt
- 1 small bunch cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped (salted or unsalted)
- 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges from 1 lime for serving
- 1 tsp. soy sauce or tamari
- 1 Fresno chile, seeds and ribs removed, minced (optional - or use a pinch of Aleppo pepper or chili flakes)
- Suggested for serving: white rice
In a gallon size ziplock bag, combine chicken thighs, coconut milk, and curry paste. Remove air from bag before sealing. Massage marinade into chicken until well-coated. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours. (If you don't have a ziplock bag, use a large mixing bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.)
Before cooking chicken, prepare Cilantro-Peanut Salad by combining cilantro, peanuts, sesame oil, sesame seeds, fresh lime juice, soy sauce or tamari, and chile (if using) in a bowl; mix well. Taste and add a pinch of salt, if needed. Set aside while you cook the chicken. (The cilantro will soften as it sits.)
Preheat grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium heat. Coat grill grates or pan with cooking oil. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Sprinkle chicken evenly with kosher salt. Arrange chicken on grill (or in pan), and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.*Note: If you prefer baking the chicken, place chicken thighs in a 9x13-inch baking dish and bake at 425ºF for 20 to 25 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Arrange chicken on a platter and scatter Cilantro-Peanut Salad overtop. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over each serving.
- To Store. Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Store the cilantro-peanut salad separately.
- To Reheat. Rewarm chicken in a baking dish in the oven at 350ºF or a covered skillet over medium-low heat. Top with salad mixture after the chicken is warm.
- To Freeze. You can freeze the chicken alone (not the salad) in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving: 6oz. chicken with salad topping | Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4.5g | Sodium: 690mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 1g