Peanut Coconut Chicken Curry

I have been making this dish for a long time, based on this recipe. Some of the ingredients in that recipe don’t fit into my own dietary restrictions (and some of that just seems bizarre–why use half and half with coconut extract when you can just use coconut milk?) so I decided to document what I actually do when I make this.

Oh, I also changed it to make it a one pan dinner. I don’t have the time or energy for recipes that use a bunch of skillets. Maybe my food would be better if I did, but this is a weeknight meal and my energy is limited after working all day. We all love this dish here–I nearly swooned when taste testing last time I made it–so I will stick with my one pot methods. We used to eat this over rice, but since we have been cutting back on the carbs, we just eat it as is, usually, although I sometimes make rice for the kids.

2 TBSP coconut oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into one inch chunks
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 – 2 cups chicken broth
1 TBSP sweet curry powder
1 – 2 TBSP sambal oelek (ground chili paste)
½ TBSP Bangkok blend
½ cup peanut butter
2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
2 cups spinach, fresh or frozen

Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet, then add the onions, garlic and chicken. Sautee until chicken is no longer pink. Add coconut milk, chicken broth and spices (including the chili paste). Stir well to combine and bring to a slow boil. Add peanut butter and mix well to melt the peanut butter and combine with the sauce. Add broccoli florets, cover and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened a bit.

I am not a big measurer, I generally add ingredients until they look right, but this is pretty close to what I do. As an aside, I mentioned the new Gordon Foodservice near me an earlier menu planning post, and I have to tell you I am developing an unhealthy love for it already. I bought a huge bag of IQF chopped onions there, and I love them. I told my daughter her new stepfather is going to be a bag of onions, because I love them so much, I want to marry them. She just laughed at me. Is it so strange to love time-saving delicious things?