Chicken Massaman Curry is one of my favorite savory Thai curry dishes. With chicken and potatoes cooked into the flavorful sauce, it is delicious!
This is one of my FAVORITE curry dishes. Massaman, Masuman, Masumun, Matsaman… it can be spelled a million different ways but it all tastes the same. My friends and I went out for Thai the other day and my husband was bummed he couldn’t go (it was a girls only thing). I should have been a good wife and ordered him something to-go, but I didn’t. I just let him have a couple bites of my leftovers. Anyway, he begged for me to figure out the recipe and make it so he could have his own.. so I did tonight (I had to hurry and post this before I forgot what I put in it). It was fabulous! You are going to love it! It tasted JUST like the curry I had the other day at the restaurant.
**This makes a lot of curry (6-8 servings). Unless you are planning to share or want to freeze the leftovers, you may want to half the recipe**
How To Make Massaman Curry
Ingredients
- 1 can Masaman curry paste you will have to get this at your Asian market
- 3 Tbs. vegetable oil
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 1/2 tsp. ginger you can use fresh, I just used the powder
- 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar packed
- 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp. lime juice
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 onion sliced thin
- 1 lb. chicken sliced VERY thin I used partially thawed chicken from the freezer.. it was really easy to slice thin
- 4-5 medium potatoes peeled, cubed
- 2 carrots peeled, sliced
- 1-2 Tbsp heaping peanut butter (crunchy or creamy.. doesn't matter)
- 1/2 c. peanuts
- Sriracha sauce To taste. This is what adds the spiciness.
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Jasmine rice cooked
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large (the largest you have--this makes a LOT) saucepan over medium heat. Stir in curry paste; cook and stir for about 2-3 minutes (make sure your windows are open and a fan is blowing.. this stuff is STRONG). Add 1 can coconut milk and stir until well blended. Add ginger, cilantro, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and Worcestershire, bring to a boil. Add onion and chicken then reduce to a simmer. When chicken is white and cooked through (about 5 min or so) add another can of coconut milk and bring back to a boil. Add remaining ingredients (except for the rice) and stir until everything is well mixed. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes--until potatoes aren't crunchy in the middle. Serve hot over Jasmine rice.
Rebecca says
July 20, 2010 at 5:39 amoh my! I am so excited to try this, you don't even know!!!!!! ahhhhh My fav thai dish by far!!!!
jdubscontraband says
July 20, 2010 at 10:16 pmWow,
This curry dish is AWESOME! Tastes just like the Thai Bamboo restaurant! Definitely a keeper!
Dede says
July 21, 2010 at 3:09 pmYou've been featured on my blog, http://dedeland.blogspot.com
Thanks for all the AWESOME recipes!
Tricia says
September 5, 2010 at 4:12 pmThanks so much for this recipe. I made this and it was a hit! Loved it!
Samantha says
October 5, 2011 at 8:21 pmDo you know how many ounces or tablespoons (or other measurements) of masaman you use? I don't have a can like the one pictured, and don't want the measurements/taste to be off. Thanks.
Erica says
October 6, 2011 at 1:11 am@ Samantha– I looked on the can and it is 4 oz (or 1/2 c.) Hope this helps!
-Erica
Charlene Austin says
February 20, 2012 at 11:35 pmOh my word……you are my newest BFF. This is my favorite Thai dish ever! I cannot wait to hunt down that curry paste and try this. This dish is expensive at our favorite restaurant for how much you get. Thank you!
Janell says
March 30, 2012 at 3:39 pmExactly what I want in a homemade masaman. This has become a staple recipe at my house 🙂
Christine says
April 20, 2012 at 1:04 pmThis recipe is awesome! I made it for a work event and everyone asked for the recipe. Even those who aren’t normally willing to try any ethnic food loved it. I added a small can of chicken broth, and a can of pineapple chunks.
Cheryl says
April 21, 2012 at 8:11 pmI have been making masuman for yrs now and I do use this brand of curry paste in the can. I made this tonight and it was such a great recipe! The other day when at the Thai grocery the Thai man that was helping my husband get some groceries mentioned that they use a squash whether butter nut buttercup or what have you…… So tonight that is what I did I made this recipe but subtituted the white potatoes with squash. I just cooked it until the small bites sized squash was nice and soft. I have to say out of all of the masuman curry I have made over the yrs…..this was the best ever! ; ) Amazing! Thanks for the recipe! It’s my new and improved masuman. You have to try using squash instead too….it will blow your mind!
Melissa says
September 21, 2018 at 9:09 amYou know is really amazing?!…. Sweet potatoes!!!
Risto says
December 16, 2012 at 6:09 amI recommend to use only half of fish and Worcestershire sauces.
Start with vegetable oil and massaman curry paste (1-1,5tbsp curry pasta, depends how strong it is) and after 1-2 minutes, add chicken for 2-3 minutes and then add the 1st can of coconut milk. Then you can use bigger slices of chicken… First time when I tried this food I used way too much curry pasta!
This dish is even better if you use 2 cans of coconut milk + 1 can of coconut creme!
Otherwise, thank you a lot for the recipe! 🙂
Megan says
December 16, 2012 at 9:40 pmThank you! I didn’t find massaman paste at the grocery store so I used thai red curry paste, but I’ll try the nearest asian market next time I make this. And my fave Thai restaurant’s massaman curry is a bit thicker, sweeter, and more peanut buttery so I added corn starch, more brown sugar, and more peanut butter. My additions definitely made it less healthy, but it was pretty darn close to what I was aiming for and I couldn’t have done it without your recipe. Had it for dinner tonight and am already looking forward to having it for lunch tomorrow. Thank you again!
Kate says
September 3, 2013 at 5:58 pmI never review recipes but this was too delicious that I had to say thank you!
Joan says
November 7, 2013 at 8:45 amThis was just delicious! I used 2 cans of the massaman curry paste and it was out of this world yummy! I’ll be making this again and again. Everyone devoured it!
Patty says
February 21, 2014 at 8:29 amThis recipe was awesome! My family and I had just had Massaman for the first time at a local Thai restaurant and I wanted to find a recipe. This was perfect!!!! The only change I made was using 2 potatoes and 2 zucchinis and I used a tablespoon of kosher salt instead of the fish sauce. For the curry paste, I found it on Amazon , Maesri massaman curry paste. 🙂
Thank you!!!!!!!!! This is a keeper!
Victoria says
October 30, 2014 at 10:20 amI’ve made this recipe about 5 times now. It’s a hit. We love this so much! I couldn’t find Massaman curry paste so I make my own from here: http://www.thaitable.com/thai/recipe/massaman-curry-paste.
Thank you so much for this recipe, my husband always asks if I can make it again. It’s perfect!!! 🙂
Claudio says
February 2, 2015 at 1:56 pmThank you!
I love this dish, I posted your dish picture on the World food guide website for everybody to see.
http://worldfood.guide/photo/347/
http://worldfood.guide/dish/246/
Stephanie says
March 29, 2015 at 9:53 amLove this recipe! Super easy and very authentic tasting. Every bit as good as the massaman curry at my favorite local thai restaurant. Thank you!
Echo says
March 30, 2015 at 4:41 pmYou’re welcome! I’m so happy you liked it!
jennifer says
January 22, 2016 at 10:03 amcan i make this in a slow cooker?
Emily says
January 23, 2016 at 10:02 amI don’t see why not? Go for it! 🙂 Let us know how it worked.
Liz says
February 7, 2016 at 7:49 amI made your massaman curry which was great. Mine was a darker brown to yours and I wondered which brand curry paste you used?
We really enjoyed and will be making it again very soon.
Erica says
February 10, 2016 at 8:09 pmThe brand I use is Maesri. Hope that helps!
Amanda says
September 28, 2016 at 11:30 amThis was really good! I only had one can coconut milk, so I added a can of chicken broth. No lime either, so added a splash of rice vinegar (flavor could’ve used the lime though) I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks!
Craig says
January 24, 2017 at 11:29 pmThank you sooooo much, I tried another massaman curry recipe and it was disgusting so in despair I went back to the interwebs and came across your recipe. I made it just as written and it came out absolutely delicious. It was better than the curry at my favorite thai spot. Thanks again I will be making this recipe a lot.
Erica says
January 25, 2017 at 8:32 pmYour comment completely made my day 😀 Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let us know how you liked it! I am so glad you found a winner! I hope you will keep coming back for more recipes. We have lots of good Thai/Indian ones 🙂
K.P. says
September 23, 2017 at 10:54 pmExcited to try this tomorrow, I am a little nervous because I bought a different brand, it was what was available. It is Mae Ploy. It is a big can, 2 lbs 3 oz. I am hoping to use the suggested measurement I saw in your comment of 4 oz or 1/2 cup. Have you ever tried/heard of that brand? Wish me luck.
Favorite Family Recipes says
September 25, 2017 at 5:36 pmI have heard of that brand but haven’t used a big can like that. You should be fine using the 4 oz measurement. Hope this helps!
Roz says
November 21, 2017 at 2:10 pmI just made this a day ahead of when it will be served. Naturally I had to taste and I was not disappointed it was delish. I cannot wait to eat it
Tomorrow it will be even better
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 21, 2017 at 6:12 pmGood call! We like to double the recipe and freeze half because it reheats so well. 🙂
Sarah says
February 7, 2018 at 4:34 pmI just found this recipe via Pinterest. I’ve made it twice, by request, in the last two weeks. Ohmyyummyness. This rivals any Massaman curry I’ve had in restaurants. Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
February 11, 2018 at 2:56 pmSo glad you like it!
Smule says
February 26, 2018 at 5:07 amFirst time making massaman curry. This was delicious. Will def make again. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Favorite Family Recipes says
February 27, 2018 at 10:24 amSo glad you liked it!
Jenny says
April 5, 2018 at 12:07 pmThis recipe is amazing, thanks so much for sharing. The peanut butter is a fab touch and gives the dish an extra depth, so yummy and super easy to make.
Favorite Family Recipes says
April 5, 2018 at 10:14 pmI’m so glad you like it, Jenny! Thank you for the 5-star rating!
Misplacedhippie says
April 13, 2018 at 7:38 amCould someone please tell me what kind of onion I’m suppose to use?
Sweet Vidalia, yellow, white, spring onions? There are so many different kinds and I don’t want to use the wrong one and ruin the dish. Thanks!
Favorite Family Recipes says
April 16, 2018 at 6:07 pmYou can use any of the ones you have mentioned and it will turn out great! Typically we use yellow onions but any will do fine. Hope this helps!
Sophie says
July 18, 2018 at 10:24 amThis was gorgeous! Now cooked this many times and it always gets rave reviews from guests! I dont like fish sauce so use half the amount in the recipe but still tastes fab. Thanks so much.
Favorite Family Recipes says
July 21, 2018 at 12:59 pmThank you for the 5 stars! We are so glad you like the recipe!
Gail Kingman says
November 7, 2018 at 2:05 pmThis was AMAZING!! Great recipe, balanced flavors. I add a bit more ginger and cilantro b/c I love it, and I also added some green beans to this for some greens. Will keep in my files for future:) Thank you!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 7, 2018 at 9:36 pmOooh sounds yummy!! We are so glad you liked it!!
Kendra says
November 10, 2018 at 7:16 amI’m very excited to try making this recipe. I had massaman curry for the first time a few weeks ago and have been craving it ever since.
I’m curious, roughly go much siracha sauce and red pepper flakes do you use? I don’t want to mess it up lol
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 10, 2018 at 10:30 amIt really depends on how much spice you like/can handle. I would start out just adding a little bit at a time and taste-testing it until you find the right spice level. Hope this helps!
Marlene says
November 22, 2018 at 8:03 pmI didn’t add any sriracha or red pepper flakes. I don’t find that it needed it..
Marlene says
November 22, 2018 at 7:59 pmMy husband’s words after his 1st bowl “Wow! You’ve mastered this dish on your 1st attempt!” This is 1 of our favorite Thai dishes & now we’ll be having it more often. I actually made it in the instant pot.
On SAUTE mode in Instant Pot, I added ginger, garlic, curry paste and chicken and sauted for 30-45 seconds. Added carrots, onions, sweet potatoes and coconut milk, stir well till the curry starts bubbling. Then I cooked on manual for 10 minutes. Perfection!
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 22, 2018 at 10:45 pmI am so glad you loved it!! Thanks for the 5-star rating!!
Liz says
November 27, 2018 at 5:51 pmYUM!
I didn’t have any fish sauce on hand and it still came out awesome. Also added some extra veggies we had to use when we put the potatoes etc in. Everyone loved it ages 5-45.
Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 28, 2018 at 4:39 pmThank you so much for the 5-star rating! We are so glad you loved it!
Jen says
December 13, 2018 at 10:19 amAfter eating at our favorite Thai restaurant the other day, my family agreed, we will stay home next time and make this recipe. They love it so much better!! Thanks for sharing, It’s delish.
Favorite Family Recipes says
December 15, 2018 at 1:01 amWow! That is quite a compliment! Thank you so much! 🙂
Liz Lazo says
January 31, 2019 at 5:28 pmOne of the only dishes I’ll eat from our local thai restaurant is massaman curry. I love the balance of heat and sweetness. It has gotten expensive to eat out so I decided to find a recipe. My husband is usually the cook so to be able to do this on my own was awesome. Super easy to follow recipe. I made some tweaks based on my own likes such as using olive oil instead of vegetable oil and adding snap peas and pineapples. I chopped the peanuts peanuts. I also added 1 small can of unsweetened coconut cream as someone else recommended. Seriously an awesome recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Favorite Family Recipes says
January 31, 2019 at 9:28 pmWow thank you so much for sharing! Massaman is one of my go-to menu choices when I go Thai. You almost can’t go wrong no matter where you go. So glad you found our recipe and that it was a success!
Rochelle says
February 3, 2019 at 1:38 pmThis recipe is amazing and easy. I was able to order the curry on Amazon and had all the other ingredients. This is better than the local Thai restaurant. I’m planning on making it for our annual ice fishing event in a couple of weeks, bet there will be nothing left!!
Thanks so much for sharing this.
Favorite Family Recipes says
February 3, 2019 at 10:39 pmThis would be perfect for an ice fishing festival! Should keep everyone nice and warm 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! So happy to hear you liked it so much!
Sandra says
February 12, 2019 at 7:51 amThis is my favorite dish at a local Thai restaurant and it tasted just like it. It was amazing. Has anyone tried to keeping it warm in a slow cooker for a couple of hours? We are having company and I want to make it again.
Favorite Family Recipes says
February 12, 2019 at 9:00 pmI don’t see why there would be any problem keeping it warm in a slow cooker for a couple hours. You should be totally fine! Hope this helps!
Jennifer says
March 11, 2019 at 7:05 pmOmg so so so good. I omitted Sriracha/red pepper flakes and subbed some of the potatoes for butternut squash and sweet potatoes. This will definitely have me ordering curry from Amazon regularly!
Favorite Family Recipes says
March 11, 2019 at 11:57 pmWe are so glad you liked it! Thank you for the 5-star review!
Olga Rubio says
May 6, 2019 at 7:04 pmI can’t wait to try this recipe:). Can I use lite coconut milk?
Erica says
May 7, 2019 at 9:21 amYes, you can, it just won’t be quite as thick and creamy. Hope this helps!
Michael says
May 11, 2019 at 9:37 amMade this for a load of friends, got 5-star reviews all round!
Erica says
May 13, 2019 at 8:59 amHi Michael- That is awesome! So glad your friends loved it! Thanks for the 5-stars!
Elaine says
May 22, 2019 at 4:59 amHi, Can you leave out the Fish Sauce or is it 100% nessecary?
Erica Walker says
May 23, 2019 at 9:09 amYou can leave it out if you don’t like fish sauce. It adds a salty, tangy flavor that some may not prefer. Totally up to you!