No matter what time of the year, Chicken and Corn Curry is a delicious easy dinner recipe. When in season, it’s made with fresh sweet corn giving it a wonderful texture and sweetness to compliment the exotic, spicy curry flavors!
For those who have jumped into hot summer temperatures you may be wondering why the heck I’m sharing a seemingly cold weather comfort food recipe.
This easy Chicken and Corn Curry is really a year-round recipe however is best with fresh, seasonal corn!
When I saw the first ears pop up at my local grocery store I knew I had to share it!
We have had a week of bone-chilling rainy weather which always makes me crave warming recipes like Chicken and Corn Curry. Curry is something I make all year long and though it’s hot, there is something about the type of spice that makes it work even in the summer.
I need to first share my very favorite tool to remove corn from the cob: The Corn Zipper. A friend gave me one a number of years ago as a gift. I poo-poo’d it initially doubting having a dedicated gadget to remove corn could make that big of a difference. It slices those kernels off like it is cutting through butter. It doesn’t remove any of the cob and DOES remove all of the corn kernels. Ok, now back to the curry….
One of my favorite dishes as a child was curry. I’m sure at that time it was a one-size-fits-all recipe. Always made with chicken. I loved the mustard-yellow color and sultry aroma unlike any other dish we had for dinner. Probably the best part were all the condiments served with it. Salty peanuts, sweet relish, chutneys, grated coconut and more that I’m sure I’m forgetting. I love ‘options’ for everything and this fulfilled that personal leaning fully for me.
As an adult I’ve had the chance to travel throughout Asia, live in Singapore, as well as enjoy dining in many restaurants which serve curry. Singapore at the time I lived there was evenly divided between three main resident cultures: Chinese, Malaysian and Indian. Curries could be found everywhere and it was then I realized how different varieties and curry recipes there are.
In the United States we can buy ‘curry powder’ in the spice section of the grocery door but in most other cultures where curry is a native dish, curry powders are all different. They are created from a blend of spices from scratch depending on the type of curry being made. For my recipe today I’m using Madras curry powder which is easily found in most grocery stores and is a traditional blend of spices for an Indian curry powder.
How To Make Curry from Scratch
There was a particular curry I learned to make in Singapore, Nonya Curry, which I’ve built many a recipe from, the curry I’m sharing today included. Rather than combining all the ingredients in the beginning and allowing them to simmer, the prepared curry powder is moistened with coconut milk then added to sautéed vegetables. It is allowed to become fragrant with the heat, fully developing the flavors before adding the chicken, corn and more coconut milk. The result is a robust flavored curry that is irresistible.
Though this recipe is made with fresh, sweet corn don’t let that stop you if you crave it during the winter months. Frozen corn, thawed, can easily be substituted and will add the same wonderful texture as fresh corn.
Curry is soul-warming as a stand alone recipe, but adding curry powder to other recipes can completely change the personality of the recipe. Nonya Chicken Curry (with from-scratch curry powder recipe) is a recipe that was given to me by the mother of a local Malaysian friend. It is a mouthwateringly delicious chicken recipe and it’s easy to make curry powder from scratch. Not so into meat? The Best Butternut Squash Curry (vegetarian) is full of flavor and great nutritional benefits with butternut squash.
Coconut Curry Turkey Rice Soup is one of our favorite turkey leftover recipes. It’s not only for using up extra turkey though. You can get turkey at your local deli, sliced thick, and make it anytime of the year. Seychelles-Style Chicken Coconut Curry was one we discovered when my daughter was doing a food project for her French class. It’s a beautiful spicy curry from the tropical Seychelles Islands.
Curry is one of those foods which builds depth the flavor the longer it is cooked making it a perfect option for a slow cooker. Slow Cooker Thai Red Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk is a silky pungent curry that is filling to the stomach and the senses.
If you prefer a meat-free option, Slow Cooker Spicy Madras Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk or Shrimp Curry are a great recipes for you.
Coconut Curry Soup with noodles is also delicious and fast to make.
You’ll love Quick Fresh Peach Chutney (shown in the photos) with this recipe!
Recipe
Chicken and Corn Curry
Ingredients
- ½ cup Madras Curry Powder
- 1 14-ounce can Coconut Milk
- ½ cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 large Shallots , diced (yield approximately ¾ cups)
- 4 medium cloves Garlic , peeled and diced
- 1 1-inch long (3/4 inch diameter) piece of Ginger Root peeled and diced
- 1 medium Yellow Onion , peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 large (aprox. 1.3 pounds) Boneless, skinless , Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 teaspoons Granulated Sugar
- Kosher Salt to taste
- 2 cups fresh Corn Kernels off the cob , (approximately 2 large ears of corn)
- Batch of Rice
- Optional topping: Quick Fresh Peach Chutney
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine ¼ cup of the coconut milk and the curry powder. Stir with a fork to fully mix together.
- In a wok or large, heavy pan, add the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the shallots, ginger, garlic and onion; sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Add the moistened curry powder, reduce the heat to low, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Allow the curry to become warm and fragrant, stirring occasionally (approximately 10-15 minutes).
- Add the chicken and toss to coat in the curry. Add the remaining coconut milk and sugar, and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add the fresh corn kernels and simmer for 5 additional minutes. Salt to taste if needed. Serve or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Liz Mays says
This sounds good! I like curry a lot and it would be nice to try that blend. The guys would be happy with this meal.
Jen Rattie says
I’ve heard of lots of different curried recipes before, but I’ve never had this one. Looks really good.
Vera Sweeney says
I love curry. The flavors are so deep and earthy. I can’t wait to try this. I’ve never had this particular dish before. Om nom nom.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks amazing! I am so making this come summer time. I have a neighbor with a gigantic garden, and he makes the best corn.
marla says
Toni, this looks like such a tasty & satisfying recipe. Must try!
foodgigo says
Healthy & Delicious
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
I love putting corn in my curries. And okra!
Toni Dash says
Genius!
Christie - Food Done Light says
I think I’ve told you that my in-laws live in Singapore. What a gastronomical paradise! This is a lovely curry. I love that you added fresh corn. I am a huge fan of Madras curry powder.
Toni Dash says
I don’t think you did tell me that Christie (but then again I’m sleep deprived with a sick tot at home and I’m unsure I could recite my own address at the moment)! I love, love, love the food of Singapore. Ironically that was my first trip outside the U.S. and I went to live and work there. I remember a visiting American asked me what I missed from the U.S. (food) that I could not wait to have again and all I could think was how much I’d miss the Singaporean food when I returned.
I loved the ‘bite’ of the fresh corn in this curry. Felt like a perfect medium between late summer and fall!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
I LOVE curry – this looks fantastic!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Martha! It has started raining almost daily here which always makes me want food like this. I might have to make another batch today!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Curry is a BIG deal in my house…we could eat it everyday forever. I’ve never added corn before, but this sounds Incr-EDIBLE! Pinned 🙂
Toni Dash says
Taylor I always love your enthusiasm! Glad to know you too are a curry fan. There really is not anything quite like it and I love that it’s so ‘flexible’ for adapting to the seasons! Have a great weekend!