Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss is your new weeknight dinner savior, offering an effortlessly delicious and incredibly flavorful meal that minimizes kitchen time while maximizing taste. This recipe delivers exceptional results with minimal effort, making it a go-to option for busy families and culinary novices alike.
Key Ingredients for Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, for authentic depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Sliced red chilies or jalapeños, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss
This Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss is designed for ultimate ease and maximum flavor. In just under 15 minutes of prep, you’ll create a rich, aromatic curry that practically cooks itself. The slow cooker tenderizes the chicken to perfection while allowing the creamy coconut milk and fragrant basil to meld into a truly blissful experience. Enjoy a deeply satisfying and restaurant-quality meal with very little hands-on time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thigh pieces and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step isn’t strictly necessary for slow cooker dishes, but it adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture to the final curry. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet (no need to wipe it clean), add the chopped yellow onion. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate Curry Paste: Add the red curry paste to the skillet and stir it around with the onions, garlic, and ginger for about 1 minute. This allows the spices in the curry paste to bloom and release their full aroma.
- Deglaze and Combine Liquids: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and chicken broth. Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar (or honey), fish sauce (if using), turmeric powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the liquid ingredients and spices.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared chicken pieces into the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Pour the curry sauce mixture from the skillet over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on your slow cooker model.
- Stir in Basil and Lime: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves and fresh lime juice. This is a crucial step for infusing that bright, fresh basil flavor into the curry. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss over fluffy cooked jasmine rice. Garnish generously with extra fresh basil, chopped cilantro, and sliced red chilies or jalapeños, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss
You’ll fall head over heels for this Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss for so many reasons! Its main feature is the impossibly tender chicken, which practically melts in your mouth, swimming in a luxuriously creamy and fragrant coconut-basil sauce that’s bursting with Southeast Asian-inspired flavors. Imagine the warm embrace of spices, the subtle sweetness of coconut, and the refreshing zest of fresh basil all coming together in perfect harmony. This dish is a true budget-saver compared to restaurant takeout, offering a gourmet experience right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost. The vibrant fresh basil and optional garnishes of cilantro and chili add a beautiful freshness and a delightful pop of contrasting flavors and colors, elevating this simple slow cooker meal to something truly special.
Compared to a standard chicken stir-fry, this slow cooker version requires significantly less active cooking time, allowing you to set it and forget it. The slow cooking process ensures the chicken is incredibly moist and flavorful, something often hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods. The richness of the coconut milk creates a sauce that’s both comforting and exotic, making it a perfect cozy meal for any night of the week. Don’t just dream about delicious weeknight dinners – make them a reality! Give this Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss a try this week and discover your new favorite culinary comfort.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the curry to cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the curry in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure it is completely cooled before freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming and affecting the texture.
- Reheating on Stovetop: This is the preferred method for optimal texture. Gently reheat the desired portion in a saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. You may need to add a splash of water or coconut milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Reheating in Microwave: Place the curry in a microwave-safe dish. Heat on medium power (50%) in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can cause the sauce to separate.
- Thawing Frozen Curry: Thaw frozen curry overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
This Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss is a testament to how simple ingredients and a slow cooker can create a truly remarkable meal. Its ease of preparation and incredible flavor make it a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious, comforting, and stress-free dinner option. Give it a go – your taste buds will thank you!
Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thigh pieces and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- In the same skillet, add the chopped yellow onion. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.1 medium yellow onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- Add the red curry paste to the skillet and stir it around with the onions, garlic, and ginger for about 1 minute.2 tablespoons red curry paste
- Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and chicken broth. Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar (or honey), fish sauce (if using), turmeric powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the liquid ingredients and spices.1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk, 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari, 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Place the seared chicken pieces into the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Pour the curry sauce mixture from the skillet over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons red curry paste, 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk, 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari, 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves and fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.1 cup fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Ladle the Tender Slow Cooker Basil Chicken Coconut Curry Bliss over fluffy cooked jasmine rice. Garnish generously with extra fresh basil, chopped cilantro, and sliced red chilies or jalapeños, if desired.Cooked jasmine rice, 1 cup fresh basil leaves, Chopped fresh cilantro, Sliced red chilies or jalapeños