Chicken Curry with Sweet Potato and Lemongrass

Chicken, lemongrass, and sweet potatoes on their own are pretty great, but when simmered in coconut milk and topped with chopped cilantro, they become pure magic in this Vietnamese Curry.

Many people compare Vietnamese food with that of Thailand. It’s natural, because the two countries are neighbors, and countless ideas have flowed back and forth, intermingling as people cooked and shared. Given that, you’d think that Viet and Thai curries would have lots in common. They do, with regards to the use of coconut milk and aromatics.

But interestingly, Viet cooks prefer curry that features Indian-style spice blends, like the madras curry powder used in this recipe. India has also influenced Viet culture for millennia, particularly through the Cham Kingdom long ago.

For this chicken curry, called cà ri gà in Vietnamese, the curry powder is combined with lots of lemongrass and ginger to create a heady paste. Black pepper and cayenne inject pungent heat. By adding extra spices and aromatics, you can more easily finesse things to your liking.

WHAT IS MADRAS CURRY POWDER?

If you travel to Saigon (a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh City) and wander the popular Ben Thanh market, you’ll see several spice vendors who offer individual spices as well as signature spice blends. Each cook has her or his preferences, and as a Vietnamese-American who’s lived in the States for over 40 years, I adore Sun Brand’s Madras-style curry powder. It’s well balanced, with lots of citrusy coriander and zippy turmeric, along with warm spice notes in the background.

My mom used to hunt it down at Asian markets, buying several metal cans at a time to avoid running out. Nowadays, it’s stocked in the spice section of many supermarkets and is sold online, too! It’s my go-to, and thank goodness, it’s easy to find.

Despite its name, Madras curry powder is not a true Indian ingredient. The spice blend was inspired by Madras, a city in south India that’s now called Chennai. However, like with all “curry powders,” the spice blend was invented and popularized by the British. India does produce curry powder, much of which is exported. Yes, commercialism and colonialism have complicated many things, but they’ve also helped to spread ideas around the globe.

Back to the spice blend itself. Madras curry powder can be mild, moderate, or hot, depending on the brand. Sun is a moderately spicy blend that allows me to control the heat source and heat level.

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS CHICKEN CURRY

  • Use boneless chicken thighs: Traditional Vietnamese curry employs bone-in chicken but for this recipe adapted from my book, Vietnamese Food Any Day, I opted for boneless, skinless thighs to speed up the cooking time. If you like, use bone-in thighs and remove the skin; you’ll have to simmer longer. (Poke the tip of a knife into the biggest thigh to check doneness; aim for juices running clear.)
  • Finish with coconut milk: Finishing the curry with thick, rich coconut cream refreshes flavors. It’s easy to obtain: let a can of coconut milk sit for a few days (or refrigerate for a few hours), then open and scoop out the fattier cream. The remainder is the thinner, lighter milk.
  • Watch your sweet potatoes: White sweet potatoes are preferred for this recipe over orange-fleshed ones, but either can be used. (At the store, if you’re not sure about sweet potato type, break off a bit of the end to check flesh color.) Compared to white-fleshed ones, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes easily become mushy as the curry cooks, so if you use them, monitor the pot closely.

For a more savory curry, you can also substitute regular potatoes—choose a potato suitable for boiling or roasting, such as red, white, or Yukon gold.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS CURRY

Rustic yet elegant, this fragrant curry may be served with baguette for dipping or with rice; add a mild vegetable side, such as sautéed chard, to let the curry shine. If the curry is too hot, squirt on some lime juice to cut the heat.

However you serve this curry, it is a seamless blending of cultures that reflects the unique amalgam that is Vietnam. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

WANT MORE GREAT VIETNAMESE RECIPES?

First of all check out my book, Vietnamese Food Any Day! Also, try these other recipes here on Simply Recipes:

 

Chicken Curry with Sweet Potato and Lemongrass Recipe

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings

To divide each chicken thigh into three equal pieces, cut the flat side as one piece, then halve the thicker portion. If large thighs are unavailable, use smaller ones and cut each into two pieces.

Reprinted with permission from Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors by Andrea Nguyen, Copyright ©2019. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped lemongrass, from 2 medium stalks
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped peeled ginger
  • 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Madras-style curry powder, preferably Sun brand
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk, not shaken
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil or neutral oil, such as canola
  • 4 large boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds total), each cut into 3 pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes (white or orange flesh), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 to 5 fresh cilantro sprigs, coarsely chopped

Method

1 Make the curry paste: In a food processor, whirl the lemongrass into a fine texture, about 3 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the bowl. Add the ginger and pulse to finely chop. Add the onion and pulse again to chop.

Add the curry powder, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) and whirl until you have a fragrant yellow paste, about 30 seconds.

2 Prep the coconut milk: Do not shake the can of coconut milk. Open the can and remove 1/3 cup of the thick cream at the top of the coconut milk. Stir the remaining lighter milk, and set both aside.

3 Begin cooking the curry: In a 3- to 4-quart pot over medium-high heat, melt the coconut oil. Add the lemongrass paste and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and no longer raw and harsh smelling. Lower the heat as needed to avoid scorching.

Add the chicken and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir to combine, and cook for 1 minute to meld the flavors. Add the coconut milk and a little water to cover the chicken. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, cover, and adjust the heat to gently simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4 Add the sweet potatoes: Uncover the pot, add the sweet potatoes, and return the curry to a simmer. Continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.

5 Finish the curry: Turn off the heat, stir the coconut cream into the sauce, and let rest on the burner’s receding heat for 10 minutes, uncovered, to blend and mature flavors. Taste and season with salt (unsalted curry powder may require an additional teaspoon), and splash in a bit of water if the flavors are too strong.

Serve immediately, garnished with the cilantro.