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Quick coconut chicken and chickpea curry with spinach, ready in 25 minutes

Curry has a reputation for taking hours, but chicken pieces cook through in 10 minutes. The depth comes from frying the curry powder in oil before the liquid goes in.

Two bowls of curry with rice on a dark wooden table
Prep5 min
Cook20 min
Serves4
Fiber (est.)7 g

The chickpeas add fiber and make the sauce thicker. The result is a balanced one-pot dinner with plenty of protein for PCOS.

This is one of our pcos recipes, and the total time is 25 minutes. To see why these foods help, read our guide to insulin resistance and PCOS or the full overview of insulin resistance.

Quick Coconut Chicken and Chickpea Curry

Curry

  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tbsp mild curry powder
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut in 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces
  • 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 can (13.5 oz / 400 ml) light coconut milk
  • 3 cups (90 g) baby spinach
  • Juice of 1 lime, salt and cilantro

To serve

  • Cauliflower rice or 1/3 cup (60 g) cooked brown rice per person

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion 4 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and turmeric and stir 1 minute.
  2. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cook 4 minutes, until the outside is no longer pink.
  3. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (165 F / 74 C) and the sauce has thickened.
  4. Stir in the spinach until wilted. Add the lime juice and salt to taste.
  5. Serve over cauliflower rice or a small scoop of brown rice, with cilantro.

Approximate per serving: 380 calories, 31 g protein, 7 g fiber. Values are estimates and vary with brands and portions.

Why this works for pcos

  • High protein. About 31 g per serving from chicken and chickpeas.
  • Fiber from chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach. About 7 g, plus a very small portion of whole grain if you use brown rice.
  • Spices and flavor without sugar. Many jar sauces contain added sugar; this does not.

The same principles are explained in detail in our insulin resistance and PCOS guide. For more ways to add fiber to meals, see the fiber guide.

Make it your own

  • Chicken thighs stay juicier if you reheat leftovers.
  • Use full-fat coconut milk for a richer sauce, but add 2 tbsp of extra water.
  • Freezes well for 3 months.

More pcos recipes

Please note. This page is for education and is not medical advice. If you take insulin or medication that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea, talk to your care team before making large changes to what you eat. Read our medical disclaimer.