Filipino Chicken Curry

This Filipino Chicken Curry recipe is a comforting homage to the one my mom used to make rich with coconut milk, loaded with ginger, and stewed until the chicken is falling apart. It’s a simple, soulful dish that bridges Filipino flavors with Indian-inspired curry powder, creating a cozy bowl of comfort that’s deeply familiar and endlessly satisfying. While my mom never measured a thing, this recipe is my best attempt at recreating the warmth she served with every spoonful.

When I was in college, I’d always request my mom to make her Filipino chicken curry. Even though I would always ask her to add some spiciness my mom was always worried it would be “maanghang” or too spicy to eat. Where my mom was from in the Philippines, spicy food was not common so I would always eat it with some Tobasco sauce on the side. Nowadays if I’m making this for myself, I’ll add some chopped thai chilis when sauteing the aromatics for an extra kick.

Ingredients:

1.5 lb chicken party wings or chicken thighs

2-3 tbsp cooking oil

1-2 carrots sliced

2 potatoes diced

1 inch knob ginger sliced

3-5 cloves garlic chopped

1 small onion diced

2 tbsp curry powder 

1 tsp turmeric (optional)

1.5 cups chicken stock 

1 can coconut milk

1-3 tbsp fish sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Over medium heat quickly brown potatoes and carrots in oil and set to the side (you can skip this step and just add to carrots and potatoes later)

2. In same pan, brown chicken 3-5 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Add in remaining oil and sauté onions, ginger and garlic until fragrant, 3-5 minutes. Add back in chicken and season with curry powder and turmeric. Let the chicken and spices sauté and pour in chicken stock. Scrape bits off pan and bring stock to a boil.

4. Add in coconut milk and bring to a boil again. Once boiling cover and set to low for 35 minutes. 

5. After 35 minutes, stir and add in potatoes and carrots and cook 10 minutes. Uncover to reduce sauce and add in bell peppers. Season with fish sauce. Eat and enjoy!

Tastes like home