I am a huge Thai curry fan and I decided to tweak my super popular Green Thai Curry with Chicken and rather than use diced chicken breasts, I swapped in ground chicken, with a few minor tweaks. The resulting one-skillet curry recipe is just layered with a variety of textures including tender ground chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, softer zucchini, and wilted spinach. Combined with green curry paste, onions and garlic, ginger, coriander, lime juice, and fresh cilantro, there’s a bright and lively freshness to what’s an otherwise very comforting dish thanks also to the creamy coconut milk based broth. If you’re looking for your next easy weeknight dinner recipe that will impress your family, including picky eaters, this is the one! It’s ready from start to finish in 30 minutes – I can do it in 20 minutes. Truly faster and better than calling for takeout! Cleanup is a breeze because it’s a one skillet, one pan, no-fuss recipe. Honestly the depth of flavors will just blow your mind! It’s hearty yet healthy comfort food that’s layered with Thai-inspired flavors and is naturally gluten-free. And if you’re into this type of dish, I have a new Sweet Chili Ground Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe that’s incredible.
Ingredients in This Recipe
To make this Thai green curry with ground chicken, you’ll need:
Coconut oil or olive oil Sweet Vidalia onion or yellow onion Ground chicken* (Read below about alternative protein choices) Cloves garlic Ground ginger Ground coriander Thai green curry paste Coconut milk (lite or regular (full fat) unsweetened coconut milk) Broccoli – To save time, I used a 12-ounce bag broccoli florets but of course, you can chop a head of broccoli. Zucchini Fresh spinach Kosher salt Black pepper Fresh cilantro Lime juice Sugar, optional and to taste Red pepper flakes – Add to your taste. Note that they go by many names included red pepper flakes, chili flakes, pizza flakes, etc. Lime wedges, optional for serving
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Alternate Protein Options
Yes you sure can. My original Green Chicken Thai Curry recipe is made with diced boneless skinless chicken breasts as mentioned above, so that’s of course an option. Here, I used ground chicken but other ground proteins are definitely fine. I have listed the alternatives in my subjective preferential order:
Ground turkey – This is the closest to ground chicken. Between the coconut milk, green curry paste, sauteed onions, veggies, and fresh cilantro, I can’t tell the difference between ground chicken or ground turkey. Ground chicken is generally a couple dollars a pound cheaper, so I tend to go with it. Plant-Based Proteins (“crumbles” or tofu) – I haven’t experimented with the dozens of new brands and food manufacturers out there who are creating “plant based crumbles” as they tend to be named and most closely resemble ground animal protein. I would go with one that mostly closely imitates chicken rather than beef or chorizo. if you want to keep this dish totally plant based and vegan. Another option is tofu. You can crumble and pan sear soft tofu. Or use extra-firm that’s been pressed and diced and you can saute that separately before adding it to the recipe. Ground pork – The ‘other white meat’ and when crumbled during cooking, it still tastes lean enough and neutral enough in flavor Ground sausage (or Ground Chorizo)- This wouldn’t be a traditional curry choice (at least for me) whether it’s Italian, hot, sweet, or another type of sausage (or a mild to spicy pork chorizo) so you’ll definitely notice a flavor difference and the mouthfeel will be greasier since sausage contains much more fat. Chorizo is full of fat and isn’t likely well suited to this easy skillet recipe. Ground beef – Again, not a traditional curry protein for me, but you can experiment with lean to extra-lean ground beef of at least 90/10 and see how it goes.
How To Make the Best Ground Chicken Green Thai Curry
Here’s how to make authentic tasting Thai-inspired green curry with ground chicken and vegetables in less than 30 minutes total time with easy prep! Pair this curry recipe with rice such as jasmine rice, basmati rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite rice (or naan) to soak up all that green curry sauce! I like to serve my green ground chicken curry with a lime wedge and all kinds of fresh cilantro for bright pop of flavors.
More Easy Thai Curry Recipes:
My Favorite Curry Recipes! In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months but the broccoli especially will lose the crisp-tender texture and the zucchini will turn mushier, so just be mindful of that. To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Green Thai Curry with Chicken — Made with diced chicken breasts, this is an EASY, one-skillet green curry that’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes BETTER than from a Thai restaurant!! It’s healthy comfort food that tastes AMAZING! Thai Chicken Coconut Curry – An EASY one-skillet curry that’s ready in 20 minutes and is layered with so many fabulous flavors!! Low-cal, low-carb, and HEALTHY but tastes like comfort food!! Thai Yellow Curry with Chicken — Better-than-takeout yellow curry is EASY and ready in 25 minutes!! Healthy comfort food with the PERFECT amount of heat and lots of textures and flavors in every bite! Impress your friends and family and make this DELICIOUS curry at home! Coconut Lime Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry – An EASY, one-skillet curry that’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes BETTER than a restaurant!! Juicy chicken and tender sweet potatoes simmer in a lime-scented coconut milk sauce that tastes AMAZING! Healthy comfort food!! Yellow Chicken Coconut Curry (Chicken Korma) – An EASY Indian recipe you can make at home in 25 minutes that tastes like it’s from a restaurant!! Chicken, cashews, and spices are simmered in coconut milk for the WIN!! Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry – An easy one-skillet curry that’s ready in 30 minutes and is layered with so many fabulous flavors! Healthy comfort food that tastes amazing! Chickpea and Kale Thai Coconut Curry – An easy one-skillet vegan curry that’s ready in 15 minutes and has amazing Thai-inspired flavors! Low-cal, low-carb, and healthy but tastes like hearty comfort food! Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Chicken Coconut Curry – An EASY, one-skillet curry that’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes BETTER than a restaurant!! The Thai-inspired coconut milk broth makes this healthy comfort food taste AMAZING!!
