One Pot Coconut Chicken Curry Rice - a super easy all in one pan family-friendly meal with pieces of tender chicken thigh and vegetables with delicious coconut and curry flavours.

Coconut Curry Chicken Rice with Vegetables
Coconut is one of my favourite ingredients, especially in curry type dishes, as it gives such a lovely subtle flavour. This Coconut Chicken Curry Rice is pretty easy to make as it's all cooked in one pot and tastes amazing. A complete meal on its own or perfect served as a side to another dish.
Homemade rice dishes like this are just as quick to make as packet rice, and you have complete control of the ingredients, making it much healthier for you too.
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Calories in Coconut Chicken Rice
This one pot recipes serves 4 at 390 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 200+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
Coconut Milk in Recipes
Normally when it comes to curry recipes I will use regular full fat coconut milk, as I find you really don't need much, but you can use canned regular or light for this one as the rice is being cooked in a combo of coconut milk and stock.
If you want to use coconut milk that comes in a carton to reduce the calories even more, then you can do so, but that type of milk is generally used as a dairy free milk replacement and not really the best choice for cooking as it is has a high water ratio.

Vegetables for One Pot Recipes
For this rice dish, I usual the basic for most recipes which is onion, garlic and ginger, and then I also added in some finely diced green and red pepper and carrot, alongside some frozen peas.
But really you can add whatever vegetables you like so long as it is a similar quantity. Broccoli slaw which is a bag of shredded vegetables and usually broccoli stalks, carrots, sometimes cabbage is also perfect for this, if you want a quick dump in the pan option.
Best Curry Powder to use
All curry powders can be different in taste and heat, so always go for your preferred choice that you use regulary.
I tend to buy mine in bulk and from an Indian Grocery store and opt for a medium heat one, but you can also use mild or hot if you prefer. My kids won't eat anything too spicy, so medium is just right for us. You can also add in some sliced red chilies upon serving for additional heat if you are cooking this for young ones, where the adults prefer more of a kick.

Best Rice for One Pot Recipes
For this recipe just basic uncooked white rice is best (not basmati or jasmine). All grocery stores tend to sell big bags of basic white rice in bulk and I find they are perfect for one pot dishes like this.
Jasmine Rice is quite a sticky rice and is not recommend, basmati will work, but it's an extra long grain rice and so I find the texture of basic white rice yields the best result.
Cooking Rice in One Pot Dishes
Make sure you follow the steps correctly for perfectly cooked rice, that 10-12 minutes of steaming with the heat off and lid on is a vital step for perfect fluffy rice. If you skip this step you rice will be wet and stodgy.
Also once you add the liquid, do not be tempted to stir the rice. Let is simmer and do it's thing, stirring rice is really on required for risotto type dishes with short grain rice, stirring rice when it is cooking activates the starch and the result will be gloopy rice.
More One Pot Recipes
Looking for some other one pot recipes? Check out these:
- One Pot Taco Beef Rice Skillet
- Creamy One Pot Pork Pasta
- One Pot Beef Fajita Pasta
- One Pot Cuban Style Rice (with Chicken and Sausage)
- One Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Rice
- One Pot Creamy Zucchini Pasta
- One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
or if you would like more recipe ideas or sides to make with this recipe - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Coconut Chicken Rice
Coconut Chicken Rice can be frozen, although it's important to remember it's not a saucy dish, which could affect its texture upon reheating. For best results, freeze it in airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. For reheating, sprinkle a little water over the rice to add moisture back, then warm it in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it heats evenly without drying out.
Yes, you can use chicken breast in Coconut Chicken Rice, though chicken thighs are often preferred for their richer flavor and juicier texture, which contribute significantly to the dish's overall taste.
Yes, light coconut milk can be used instead of regular to save calories. Although regular coconut milk provides a creamier and richer flavour.

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Nicky Turner-Sterling says
My family loved this!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
thats good to hear. Hope you are doing well 🙂
Nicky Turner-Sterling says
Really well thanks 🙂 I actually got asked to make this again in the week 🙂
Milene Bizachi says
This was a great way to spice up some left over plain boiled rice I had in the fridge!
Natalie Wilson says
Which curry powder should I use?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
you can use any curry powder of your choice. I used a mild one.
Lydia Hall says
what is broccoli slaw please?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
it is just a pre grated slaw mix, that you can buy in bags
alison messenger says
Could I use left over chicken for this recipe? Or are the thighs important?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes you could use leftover chicken
WishICouldDance says
I'm wondering if it is possible to make this in a rice cooker?
Lucy says
One of the nicest things I’ve eaten since starting slimming world. Will definitely be making it again. I made the sweet potato, chicken and coconut curry with other half tin of coconut milk. That was also excellent
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
what a great idea to make two recipes with the coconut milk. Glad you enjoyed them both.
Melissa says
Such a lovely rice dish. Me, my 3 year old and one year old have it for lunch often. Sometimes do it without chicken as well
Clare says
Great dish! Thank you for sharing this recipe
KELLY says
Can I use tinned coconut milk in this recipe?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
yes you will just need to adjust syn value if following Slimming Wolrd
Liss says
Very nice. Made my rice in an instant pot. Really tasty
Sue says
Made this for 1st time, it was good but couldn’t really taste the coconut,
But would make it again, maybe I could put in more coconut milk and less chicken stock???
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
When using cartoned coconut milk check the water to coconut ratio. Some are much more watery than others and some are not as coconut tasting. So it’s worth trying a few different brands to find one you like.
Carol says
Ok, I maybe a bit dumb, but when you say turn off the heat, do I take the pan off the hob or leave it on? I cook on a electric hob so it will stay hot for a while.
SIANY says
CAN YOU USE BASMATI RICE
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
basmati is an extra long grain rice, and while it will be okay, the best rice for this recipe is what's called "white rice" neither Jasmine or Basmati. It long grain but the grains are slightly wider compared to basmati.
Kim says
Thank you Siobhan, Made this tonight, family loved it
Denise says
Made this today. Really delicious. Will freeze leftovers. Just love your recipes, Siobhan
Joan says
Hi Siobhan, I made this recently and it was so delicious! I only had yellow and orange peppers so I used them with the addition of a courgette which would have gone off otherwise! Such a lovely flavour and really love all your helpful advice too.
Great website!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
thank you Joan, I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Mardie says
Just made this tonight, couldn’t find the Dirty rice recipe . We had this Chicken Coconut curry instead. Wow, willl definitely make this again.
Thanks Siobahn.