How to Make: Authentic Vietnamese Chicken Curry / Cà Ri Gà

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: light coconut milk

💰Cheaper: almond milk

Light coconut milk reduces calories while almond milk is often more affordable.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: pork

Tofu is a plant-based alternative, while pork can be less expensive.

curry powder

🥗Healthier: homemade curry blend

💰Cheaper: turmeric

Homemade blends can be fresher, and turmeric is often cheaper.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt

Soy sauce provides umami flavor, while salt is a basic seasoning.

Wash your hands.

Marinate 4 lbs of chicken drumsticks with 2 tbsp yellow madras curry powder. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Wash all herbs and vegetables. Peel 2 lbs each of carrots and potatoes.

Cut carrots and potatoes into irregular pieces, making potatoes larger than carrots for even cooking.

Process lemongrass by removing top and bottom, then bruise it with the back of a knife.

Dice an onion and chop cilantro for garnish.

Fry carrots and potatoes in vegetable oil in batches for a couple of minutes until they start to brown. Remove from pot.

Fry the marinated drumsticks in the same pot to activate the curry powder and lock in flavors. Remove and discard oil, leaving the fond behind.

Add diced onion to the pot and sweat it down. Deglaze with a touch of water to pick up flavors.

Add 1 tbsp minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

Return the fried carrots, potatoes, and drumsticks to the pot. Add 4-5 stalks of lemongrass and enough water to cover everything. Add 3 bay leaves.

Season with 2 tbsp curry powder and 2 tbsp chicken bouillon. Bring to a boil, skim off impurities, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 1 hour.

After 1 hour, add a 14 oz can of coconut milk and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Season with a 1 inch nub of rock sugar, 2 tbsp MSG, and 3 tbsp fish sauce. Adjust flavor to taste.

Serve the chicken curry in a bowl, garnished with cilantro. Optionally serve with bread, rice, or noodles.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens