Mild Indian Chicken Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice
A comforting, family-friendly mild chicken curry cooked with aromatic spices, served with fluffy basmati rice. It delivers high-quality protein to support lean muscle and steady energy.
Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
40 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Reshma + Lila
Reshma created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
40 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Saucepan · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Measure and wash the basmati rice under…
- 01
Measure and wash the basmati rice under…
Measure and wash the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Set it aside to drain.
Look for: the water runs clear
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the vegetable oil in a large
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Look for: soft and translucent
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the garlic clove
Add the garlic clove, ginger, ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, and mild curry powder to the pot. Stir constantly for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
Look for: the spices release their aroma
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the chicken breast cubes to the…
Add the chicken breast cubes to the pot. Cook, stirring to coat the chicken in the spice mixture, until the outside of the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Look for: the outside of the chicken is no longer pink
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in the canned chopped tomato and…
Pour in the canned chopped tomato and coconut milk. Stir well to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Look for: the chicken is tender and cooked through
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Cook the rice
While the curry simmers, cook the rice. In a separate saucepan, combine the washed basmati rice and 1.5 cups (360ml) of water. Bring to a boil, then cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Allow: 15 minutes
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Stir the spinach leaf into the hot…
Stir the spinach leaf into the hot curry just before serving, allowing the heat to wilt the leaves for about 2 minutes.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 08
Ladle the curry over the steamed basmati…
Ladle the curry over the steamed basmati rice and serve warm to your family.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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