Massaman Curry with Chicken

Rich. Fragrant. Unforgettable. One of Thailand’s most beloved curries – slow-cooked and soul-warming. Creamy coconut curry infused with spices and soft chicken thighs

Main Dish · Prep 10 min · Cook 45 min · Serves 3 · intermediate · By Tina · Published

Massaman Curry with Chicken - main dish recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 bone=in chicken thighs
  • 200 ml coconut milk, thick
  • 150 ml coconut milk, water
  • 2 potato, cut into wedges
  • 1 onion, sliced into wedges
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1=2 bay leave
  • 1 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 1/2 tbsp palm sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 3 tbsp Massaman curry paste, store=bought or homemade

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Unforgettable."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"833a0d653f14","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b523292d36e2","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"One of Thailand’s most beloved curries – slow-cooked and soul-warming."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2216ff050c97","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"942e6867ab48","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3212daf43379","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3219d4dbef6f","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"Creamy coconut curry infused with spices and soft chicken thighs"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a2a5be88fb55","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"35d520f2ab66","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"91cfc6fc6a7f","_type":"image","asset":{"_ref":"image-fb37588b43c1a49e4fbeb83b7e0213c8abb463fd-1320x1633-jpg","_type":"reference"}},{"_key":"ee89a061e660","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1f58d7d18f37","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"🧭"},{"_key":"1c8ac4063e64","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" A Brief History of Massaman Curry"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e0206db7ca10","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f8063d492aa0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fa70e400a6dc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"af64bde834f6","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Massaman curry (แกงมัสมั่น) is one of Thailand’s most unique and globally beloved curries — a rich, mellow dish that reflects both Thai and Persian influences. The word “Massaman” is believed to derive from “Mussulman,” an old term for Muslims, hinting at its historical ties to Muslim traders who arrived in the Ayutthaya Kingdom centuries ago."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e158625221bd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"31100a4c4ef9","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"121b54ec8b89","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6980654e07bb","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Massaman is unlike other Thai curries — it’s less spicy but deeply aromatic, thanks to spices not native to Thailand such as:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"528c7ce81d93","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"21713019e0c1","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"🌿"},{"_key":"a902aa6b1f6c","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and star anise."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"20e0e75d7e9b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"65bd6cc8cac3","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d5cc2c657e1e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"8e33eeb98acf","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"These warming spices were introduced through ancient trade routes, likely by Persian or Indian merchants, and were adapted into local Thai curry culture. Combined with classic Thai elements like coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, and fish sauce, Massaman became a beautiful East-meets-Middle-East fusion."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d8c0b9145782","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"51d02bbd679b","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2b9cb3da0d9d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"86b307c02816","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"👑"},{"_key":"789fec8acfb0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" Even King Rama II of Thailand famously praised it in a poem — calling it "},{"_key":"dd9bb7a1af7c","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"“the king of curries, loved by all.”"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a0333d47b9ce","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"70669a1d684c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3150320bf209","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7926dc537da5","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Today, Massaman is recognized worldwide — once ranked as the No.1 most delicious food in the world by CNN Travel — and is especially loved for its comforting sweetness, tender meat, and harmonious spice profile."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fc145de6a985","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"29d5ac36b244","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"30a000eddd6e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1af593b2a13e","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Why I Love This Dish "},{"_key":"83bfd4d8213f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"❤️"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ed07b1f1e678","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5ff2a4418c2f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b886f0e4e5af","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5711158c0501","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Massaman Curry has been one of my favorite curries since I was little. 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Toss in bay leaves, cinnamon, and star anise."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"28b6e7a499e0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cbdcb7bae48d","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"4.\t"},{"_key":"d4b916428d88","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Simmer gently:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"6986b3a82c38","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"8e4682cb072e","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, then add the potatoes and onions."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"94d75145df8e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7834ea380f13","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"5.\t"},{"_key":"5a84cc74a285","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Season:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d78e0a35b044","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"adfc81a964d2","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Add palm sugar, tamarind paste, and fish sauce. Stir and let it continue to simmer for 15–20 minutes until chicken is tender and potatoes are soft."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"39c9b51329d1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"69d99a63c9ff","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"6.\t"},{"_key":"c8bf4f591f83","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Finish:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"009fa5649f8e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7309dff27976","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Stir in roasted peanuts just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a71898dfb28a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"105c2624579f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"7.\t"},{"_key":"40587ddfa98f","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice and a sprinkle of crispy shallots or fresh coriander if desired."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"dac4c0d606c1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"2f5f69358ebb","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a0facd576d10","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"96118328690c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"⸻"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5cfd6e320c24","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"effe1a0c4c00","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"42a8bd554d49","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"2252d1b3dae4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"📸"},{"_key":"3709f8b55e2c","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" Behind the Scenes:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2990ffa6e475","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"98682b67be37","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"00851555429b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"975da3771a16","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"This dish was part of my video shoot for the World’s Best Curries series. 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