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If you are tired of eating plain healthy meals, try this is High Protein Chicken Curry recipe. It’s quick and easy to make, with just simple ingredients, and it tastes so delicious that you won’t stop having it. Lower in calories and packed with protein, this chicken bowl is perfect for weight loss and lean gains! Meal prep friendly.
Table of Contents
- Who is this recipe for?
- The recipe at a glance: 4 reasons to love it
- Healthy chicken curry ingredients
- Recipe alternatives
- Low calorie chicken curry
- High calorie chicken bowl
- How to make protein chicken curry at home
- Meal prep
- Tips for the best protein curry
- Serving ideas
- More healthy high protein meals
- High Protein Chicken Curry Recipe
Who is this recipe for?
- Those who want to eat healthy: If you are trying to eat healthier but don’t want to sacrifice the taste, this recipe if for you. High in protein and nutritious, my homemade chicken curry will surprise your tastebuds with its taste and flavors.
- Those who want to build muscle: Packed with protein and nutrients, this high-protein chicken curry is a great meal to gain weight and bulk. You can easily increase the calories by adding more rice, chicken – and following my tips down below!
- Those who want to lose weight: With the proper adaptations, this protein chicken bowl is also perfect if you are on a diet and try to lose weight. The nutrients and the protein in the curry will satisfy and keep you full for hours!
- Those who want to eat healthy but have no time to cook: Made in a pan in under 30 minutes, this protein bowl is also great for meal prepping. Perfect if you are conscious about your food choices but are busy and have little time to cook!
The recipe at a glance: 4 reasons to love it
I love chicken curry, but long preparation methods and inaccessible ingredients always used to put me off making it. Unwilling to give up, I headed to the kitchen and tested until I finally came up with this recipe here. Quick, easy and so delicious, this may be the best healthy chicken curry ever. I love it, and you will love it too because it is:
- Quick and easy: This delicious meal comes together in a pan in under 30 minutes. Perfect for all those who have little time to cook or don’t like spending hours in the kitchen.
- Healthy and high protein: With chicken and Greek yogurt, this is the perfect high protein bowl for all those who are looking for a nourishing meal.
- Cozy and delicious: Besides its nutritional benefits, chicken curry is a satisfying meal to comfort your soul and satisfy your cravings with all its delicious flavors.
- Meal–pre friendly: This high protein chicken recipe is perfect for all those who have no time to cook during the week. Prepare a large bulk on Sunday, refrigerate and you will have meals for the entire week.
Healthy chicken curry ingredients
Time to leave recipes with hard-to-find ingredients behind! Making this high protein chicken curry is very simple. Chicken, onions and curry, my version only calls for a handful of basic ingredients that you can easily find at the local grocery store. Here’s all you need!
- Chicken breast: Use boneless and skinless chicken breast. For a healthier meal, I recommend getting raw chicken and cooking it at home by yourself. To save time, for convenience you can also use precooked chicken.
- Vegetables: This dish requires one small onion and red pepper. If you prefer, substitute the red bell pepper with green bell pepper or add extra vegetables.
- Spices and seasonings: As this recipe is very simple, you will only need curry powder, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Coconut milk: To get the tradition curry taste while trying to cut calories, I recommend low-fat coconut milk. But also regular coconut milk (full-fat) works. Do not confuse coconut milk with the coconut drink, they are two different products. Stick to coconut milk, which usually comes in a tin.
- Greek yogurt: The yogurt will make your protein chicken curry creamier and richer while replacing part of the coconut milk. Replacement options are Skry, quark, coconut yogurt or any firm nondairy yogurt you like.
- Olive oil: Use olive oil to prepare a dish that is flavorsome and nourishing at the same time. As an alternative you can choose vegetable oil, avocado oil, coconut oil or any other oil. Also butter (dairy-free if necessary) will work.
I recommend serving this protein curry with basmati rice or brown rice. It pairs incredibly well with the chicken and makes a more balanced meal. Nevertheless, nothing holds you back from enjoying it alongside some naan bread, sweet potatoes or more vegetables for a low carb alternative.
Recipe alternatives
- If you are not a fan of chicken or if you want to have something different, replace it with turkey, lean beef or any other meat. Or try seitan and tofu for a plant based vegan alternative.
- Feel free to include other vegetables such as a mix of green, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and even tomatoes.
- If you follow a dairy-free diet, substitute Greek yogurt with a nondairy yogurt of your choice. I recommend firm coconut yogurt. As an alternative you can also use cashew butter, which is going to make your chicken curry even creamier and more delicious.
- Add your own touch by sprinkling in additional spices such as turmeric, coriander and ginger. I also recommend trying with cinnamon; as weird as it may sound, this spice adds a delicious aroma.
Low calorie chicken curry
Are you on a diet and want to lose weight? Then make low calorie chicken curry by diminishing the quantity of oil and cooking fats (prefer low-fat coconut milk and yogurt). Also, choose lean skinless chicken breast over meat cuts with higher proportions of fat. Finally, consider serving your chicken with smaller amounts of rice or replace with konjac rice or more vegetables.
High calorie chicken bowl
If you are trying to gain weight and build lean muscle, this recipe is for you. Here are some tips on how to bump up the calories in your meal. First, stick to full-fat coconut milk and regular Greek yogurt. Second, make sure you increase the quantities of both rice and chicken. Especially rice; the extra carbohydrates will power your workouts and fuel your gains.
How to make protein chicken curry at home
- Prepare the rice. First of all, start by cooking the rice if it is necessary. Skip this step if it is already cooked or if you want to serve your curry with other foods such as naan bread or potatoes.
- Cook the chicken. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the diced chicken and stir-fry until it’s cooked through. Remove from the skill and set aside for later.
- Stir fry the vegetables. In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until golden, then add the sliced red pepper and continue cooking until tender.
- Make the curry. When all vegetables are ready, add the curry, salt and pepper, and give it a stir to infuse the foods with flavors. Pour in coconut milk and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes (about two to five minutes). Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes more. When the curry is ready, remove from the heat, stir in the Greek yogurt and adjust with salt and pepper to your likings.
Meal prep
This high protein rice bowl is an excellent dish for meal prep. It’s such a convenient and nutritious option for busy days! Prepare a batch ahead, portion it and store in airtight food containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when you ready to eat. For a longer storage you can also freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Tips for the best protein curry
- Experiment with spices. Adjust the amount of curry to your likings, sprinkle in some turmeric, cumin or the spices you like the most.
- Add extra vegetables. Feel free to toss in extra veggies such as spinach, broccoli, carrots or peas for more taste and nutrients.
- Try with different protein. If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can use lean beef, turkey, or tofu as a substitute.
- Use full-fat options. If calories are not an issue for you, prepare your protein chicken curry with full-fat coconut milk and Greek yogurt. They will make your dish extra rich and creamy.
- Meal prep the chicken. Make a larger batch of protein chicken curry and keep in the fridge for the entire week. Reheat when you are ready to serve and enjoy!
- Serve with your favorite side. Whether it’s rice, potatoes or bread, be sure to enjoy this protein chicken bowl with the sides you like the most.
Serving ideas
- Cooked rice: A great classic, side your chicken with rice. My favorite options are basmati rice, brown rice and Jasmin rice.
- Slices of bread: Whether it is the tradition naan or wholegrain, soft fresh bread goes incredibly well with the creaminess of this healthy curry.
- Whole grains: If you are not a fan of rice, replace it with farro, quinoa or other whole grains. Savory oatmeal is also great!
- Potatoes or pumpkin: Regular potatoes, white potatoes or pumpkin make the perfect side for this protein chicken. What is more, they are highly filling and nutritious.
- Vegetables: As a side, choose cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, spinach or your favorite vegetables for a high volume low calorie meal.
More healthy high protein meals
- Easy chicken pasta salad
- High protein pizza
- Chicken nuggets
- Low calorie chicken fingers
- Homemade protein bread
- Greek yogurt buffalo dip
- Greek yogurt pizza crust
- High protein savory oatmeal
- Air fryer salmon bites
High Protein Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 200 grams (7 oz.) chicken breast, boneless and skinless, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ garlic clove, minced (or more to taste)
- ½ red pepper, sliced
- 120 ml (½ cup) coconut milk, low-fat
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt, or preferred yogurt
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
To serve
- cooked rice, or your favorite side dish
Instructions
Cook the rice
- Cook the rice in salted water according to the package directions. Skip to the next step if you are using cooked rice.
Prepare the chicken curry
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the diced chicken and stir-fry until it's cooked through. Remove from the skill and set aside for later.
- In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until golden, then add the sliced red pepper and continue cooking until tender.
- When all vegetables are ready, add the curry powder, salt and pepper to taste, and give it a stir to infuse the foods with flavors.Pour in the coconut milk and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes (about two to five minutes). Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes more. When the curry is ready, remove from the heat, stir in the Greek yogurt and adjust with salt and pepper to your likings.
- Serve with cooked rice and enjoy!
