One Pot Chicken Rice Peanut Coconut Curry

The Pot That Feeds a Crowd

Hello, my dear. Come sit. Let’s talk about a good, simple supper. This is my one-pot chicken and rice. It is pure comfort. Everything cooks together in one big pot. That means less washing up for you. I still laugh at that.

Why does this matter? A meal like this brings everyone to the table. It is warm and filling. It says, “You are home.” Do you have a favorite one-pot meal? I would love to hear about it.

A Little Story About Flavor

Now, the magic is in the sauce. It is a peanut coconut curry. It sounds fancy, but it is easy. You just stir a few things in a small pot. The smell is incredible. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

I learned to love peanut sauces years ago. A friend from Thailand shared a similar recipe with me. I was so nervous to try it. But one taste and I was hooked. It taught me to be brave with new flavors.

How to Make It Yours

First, you cook onion, garlic, and ginger. This is the flavor base. Fun fact: grating garlic and ginger makes them melt right into the rice. It makes everything taste so good. Then you add the rice, coconut milk, and water.

Next, lay the chicken right on top. Season it well. The steam from the rice cooks the chicken perfectly. It all becomes tender and juicy. Do you prefer chicken thighs or breasts for recipes like this?

The Secret Sauce

While that cooks, make the sauce. Curry paste, the rest of the coconut milk, peanut butter, soy, and fish sauce. Fish sauce might sound strange. But it adds a deep, salty flavor. It is the secret.

Why does this matter? Making a sauce from scratch feels special. It turns a simple chicken and rice into a feast. It shows you care. Let it simmer until it gets nice and thick.

Bringing It All Together

When the pot is done, let it sit. This is important. The rice needs to rest for ten minutes. Then, sprinkle fresh cilantro and scallions on top. The green makes it so pretty.

Serve the chicken and rice with that wonderful sauce drizzled over. Everyone can add as much as they like. I love seeing the happy faces around my table. What is a meal that always makes your family smile?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Olive or coconut oil	1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon	Divided use: 1 tbsp for chicken/rice, 1 tbsp for sauce
Yellow onion	1 medium	Finely diced
Garlic cloves	10	Grated
Fresh ginger	2-inch piece	Peeled and grated
White jasmine rice	2 cups	Rinsed; other rice can be used
Coconut milk (15 oz can)	1 can	Divided: 1 cup for chicken/rice, ½ can for sauce
Water	2 1/2 cups
Sugar	1 tablespoon
Kosher salt	To taste
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs	2 pounds
Black pepper	To taste
Cilantro	1/4 cup	Finely chopped
Scallions	3	Thinly sliced
Red curry paste	1 heaping tablespoon
Peanut butter	1 heaping tablespoon	Chunky or smooth
Soy sauce	1 tablespoon
Fish sauce	2 teaspoons

My Cozy One Pot Chicken & Peanut Curry

Hello, my dear! Come sit. Let’s make a supper that hugs you from the inside. This is my One Pot Chicken Rice Peanut Coconut Curry. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It all cooks together in one pot. That means less washing up for us. I love that. I learned this from a friend years ago. We laughed so much that day. My kitchen smelled wonderful for hours. I still smile thinking about it. Let’s get your hands busy. It’s simpler than it sounds, I promise.

Step 1: Let’s start our flavor base. Warm your oil in a big, wide pot. Add your diced onion. Now, grate in all that garlic and ginger. It will sizzle and smell so good. Cook it until the onion looks soft and shiny. This is where the magic starts. (A hard-learned tip: grate the ginger right over the pot. You won’t lose any of its tasty juice!).

Step 2: Stir in the rinsed rice. Let it dance in the oil for one minute. Now, pour in the coconut milk and water. Add the sugar and a good pinch of salt. Give it all a gentle stir from the bottom. The liquid will look cloudy and rich. That’s just perfect.

Step 3: Time for the chicken. Season your thighs well with salt and pepper. Just lay them right on top of the rice. You can overlap them a little. It’s like tucking them into a creamy bed. Bring the pot to a little simmer. Then cover it and turn the heat way down. Let it cook quietly for 20 to 25 minutes. What do you think the rice is doing under the chicken? Share below!

Step 4: While that cooks, make the magic sauce. Warm oil in a small pot. Stir in the red curry paste. It will get very fragrant. Now add the rest of the coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Let it bubble until it gets thick. It will coat a spoon nicely. Then turn it off. See? Two things cooking at once. You’re a pro!

Step 5: Your main pot is done. But don’t peek yet! Take it off the heat. Let it sit, still covered, for 10 more minutes. This steams the rice to perfection. Then, uncover your masterpiece. Scatter the fresh cilantro and scallions over everything. Serve it right from the pot with that luscious peanut sauce. Dinner is served, my dear.

Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner, Main Course

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a favorite sweater. You can dress it up differently each time. Here are three ways to play. Use sweet potatoes instead of chicken. Cube them and add them with the rice. So cozy! Add a big spoon of chili crisp to the sauce. It gives a wonderful spicy crunch. Try it with cauliflower. Break a small head into florets. Roast them and add them at the end. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It Up Just Right

I love to serve this right from the pot at the table. It feels so homey. A simple cucumber salad on the side is lovely. It’s cool and crisp. Extra lime wedges for squeezing are a must. For a drink, a cold lager beer pairs beautifully. For a cozy night, try sparkling water with a slice of orange. Which would you choose tonight? I think I’d go for the sparkling water. It lets all those lovely flavors sing.

Keeping Your Curry Cozy for Later

This curry makes wonderful leftovers. Let it cool completely first. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay happy for three to four days. You can also freeze it for a month. I freeze mine in single portions. It’s a gift to my future, tired self.

Reheating is simple. Add a splash of water to a pot. Gently warm the rice and chicken over low heat. Stir it now and then. I once reheated it too fast. The rice got a little dry. A little patience makes it perfect again.

Batch cooking this meal saves busy nights. It means a good dinner is always ready. That matters more than you know. A ready meal brings peace to a hectic day. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Curry Hiccups

Is your rice still a bit hard? Just add two tablespoons of water. Put the lid back on for five more minutes. The steam will finish the job. I remember when my rice was crunchy. My grandson just smiled and ate it anyway.

Is the sauce too thick? Thin it with a little warm water. Is it too thin? Let it simmer a minute longer. Getting the sauce right builds your cooking confidence. A good sauce ties the whole dish together beautifully.

Worried about the chicken cooking through? Just pierce the thickest part with a fork. The juices should run clear, not pink. This simple check ensures your food is safe. It also makes the chicken tender and juicy. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Curry Questions, Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Then it is perfectly gluten-free.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Yes! The sauce can be made two days early. Keep it in a jar in the fridge.

Q: No peanut butter? A: Use any nut or seed butter you like. Almond butter works very well here.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Use a very large pot. You may need five extra minutes of cooking time.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A squeeze of lime at the end is lovely. Fun fact: The acid wakes up all the other flavors. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table. I hope it fills your kitchen with wonderful smells. Most of all, I hope it brings you a moment of joy. Cooking is about sharing, even across miles.

I would love to see your creation. Your version of this cozy dish makes me smile. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @ChloesCozyKitchen. I can’t wait to see what you make.

Happy cooking!
—Chloe Hartwell.