Coconut Chicken Lentil Curry (Printable Recipe)

Creamy coconut curry with lentils and leftover chicken ready in 40 minutes for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Curry Base

01 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon grated ginger
05 - 2 green chillies, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon curry powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
09 - 1 teaspoon turmeric
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika

→ Main Ingredients

11 - 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
12 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
13 - 1 can (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
14 - 2.5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
15 - Salt, to taste
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and green chillies. Cook until fragrant and soft, about 5 minutes.
02 - Add tomato paste, curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and paprika. Stir for 2 minutes to release the spices' aroma.
03 - Add green lentils and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
04 - Stir in the shredded cooked chicken. Simmer for another 5 minutes to heat through.
05 - Pour in coconut milk, stir well, and let simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt to taste.
06 - Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or flatbread.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Green lentils retain shape better than red lentils, offering a firmer texture in the final dish.
02 - Cooked chicken speeds up the process, but raw chicken can be used if browned first and fully cooked in the sauce.