Save yourself some money and calories by making your own flavour packed curry at home. This creamy and mild Vietnamese Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry, also called Càri Gà, is comfort food at its best and so easy to make, you will never buy ready made curry sauce again. Tender chunks of chicken and soft bites of sweet potato smothered in a cream and flavour packed curry sauce.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
You can't beat a classic chicken curry, and this one is bulked out with sweet potato and covered in the most incredible Vietnamese style curry sauce. With a well stocked spice rack, you can make this easy Vietnamese spice blend that will take a creamy chicken curry to the next level.
We love sweet potato in curries, but we have lots of other sweet potato recipes - try our versatile Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, crispy Sweet Potato Fries, easy Sweet Potato Salad or our quick Microwaved Sweet Potato.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love It
- An exciting new curry to try
- Creamy and comforting
- Protein packed
- Only 340 calories per portion
- Really easy to adapt with different ingredients.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken breast - We used breast to keep the curry leaner, but you can use chicken thighs too.
- Sweet potato and carrots - Adds some nice chunkiness to the curry. You could also use mushrooms, aubergine (eggplant) or courgette (zucchini).
- Ca ri spice blend - An authentic Vietnamese spice blend (see below for the recipe). You could use curry powder, garam masala or your own favourite spice blend.
- Coconut milk - To make the lovely creamy sauce. We used full fat as it gives the best flavour.
- Fish sauce - Adds a nice umami flavour to the curry.
- Shallots, garlic and lemongrass - The base of the curry sauce.
- Kafir lime leaves - Can be omitted, but adds a little zestiness to the curry.
- Stock - Vegetable or chicken stock will both work. Try to use the best quality you can, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Cari Ga
One: Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat. Add all the spice mix ingredients and roast for 2 minutes until they have darkened, shaking the pan constantly to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Two: Put the chicken into a bowl with half of the spice mix and the salt. Toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Three: Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and brown the sweet potatoes for about 5 minutes so they are just browned, not cooked through. Remove the potatoes and set aside.
Four: Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Take the chicken out and put with the sweet potatoes.
Five: Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and stir fry for 5 minutes.
Six: Add the rest of the spice mix, coconut milk, lemongrass paste, kaffir lime leaves, carrots, fish sauce, chicken and sweet potatoes to the pan.
Seven: Stir well and simmer for 20 minutes.
What Vegetables to Add
The great thing about this a curry curry is that you can pretty much use any vegetables you want. It's a great fridge raid meal to reduce waste, as you can use vegetables that are starting to look a bit sorry for themselves.
We like chunky veg like bell peppers, courgette, aubergine and cauliflower. But you could also add carrot, mushrooms, broccoli or parsnip.
We always like to add some greens to a dish if we can, so we why not try stirring in some spinach a few minutes before it is ready. You could use kale instead though or even some peas.
Serving Suggestions
If you are looking for a light meal, then just a big bowl of this chicken and sweet potato curry will hit the spot. However, if you want something more filling, then why not serve it with our Raita or our Turmeric Rice? Fluffy coconut rice also goes really well with this, as does our Homemade Flatbread.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Add a teaspoon of palm sugar at the end for a truly authentic taste.
- For this curry to have the best flavour, make sure you are using really good quality spices that haven't expired.
- Why not try making a plant based version of this and swapping the chicken for chickpeas.
- To make this curry spicier, add some extra dried chillies. You might want to wait until it is cooked to taste it and then sprinkle them on top to reach your desired heat level.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any leftovers, then it can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can even freeze this curry for up to 2 months. To reheat, make sure it is fully defrosted in the fridge and then add it to a pan and heat through until piping hot.
Yes, this can be cooked in the slow cooker. Follow the recipe up until step 7 and then put it all in the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.
If you don't want to use chicken in this recipe, then you could swap it for king prawns, or just stick to chunky vegetables for a plant based option. Chickpeas also go really well with the sweet potato.
More Curry Recipes
If you've tried this Vietnamese chicken curry, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry (Cari Ga)
Ingredients
For the Vietnamese spice mix:
- 4 Curry leaves - chopped
- 1 tablespoon of Dried chillies - chopped
- 2 tablespoon of Coriander seeds
- 0.5 teaspoon of Cumin seeds
- 0.5 teaspoon of Mustard seeds -
- 0.5 teaspoon of Fenugreek seeds
- 0.5 teaspoon of Cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon of Black peppercorns
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground cinnamon
For the curry:
- 500 g (17.5 oz) of Chicken breast - cut into 2.5cm cubes
- 0.5 teaspoon of Sea salt
- 2 tablespoon of Olive oil
- 1 Sweet potato - peeled and cut into cubes
- 2 Carrots - peeled and cut into pieces
- 3 Shallots - cut into wedges
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 300 ml (1.5 cups) of Light coconut milk
- 100 ml (0.5 cups) of Vegetable stock
- 2 teaspoon of Lemongrass paste
- 2 Makrut lime leaves
- 1 tablespoon of Fish sauce
Instructions
- Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat. Add 4 Curry leaves, 1 tbsp of Dried chillies, 2 tbsp of Coriander seeds, 0.5 tsp of Cumin seeds, 0.5 tsp of Mustard seeds, 0.5 tsp of Fenugreek seeds, 0.5 tsp of Cloves, 0.5 tsp of Black peppercorns, 0.5 tsp of Ground turmeric, 0.5 tsp of Ground ginger, 0.5 tsp of Ground nutmeg, and 0.5 tsp of Ground cinnamonToast for 2 minutes until they have darkened, shaking the pan constantly to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Transfer the spices to a spice mill or pestle and mortar and grind into a fine powder.
- Put 500 g of Chicken breast into a bowl with half of the spice mix and 0.5 tsp of Sea salt. Toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Heat 2 tbsp of Olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat and cook 1 Sweet potato for about 5 minutes so they are just browned, not cooked through. Remove the potatoes and set aside.
- Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Take the chicken out and put with the sweet potatoes.
- Add 3 Shallots and 2 Garlic clove to the pan and stir fry for 5 minutes.
- Add the rest of the spice mix, 300 ml of Light coconut milk, 2 tsp of Lemongrass paste, 2 Makrut lime leaves, 2 Carrots, 1 tbsp of Fish sauce, 100 ml of Vegetable stock, chicken and sweet potatoes to the pan.
- Stir well and simmer for 20 minutes.
Recipe Video
Recipe Tips
- Add a teaspoon of palm sugar at the end for a truly authentic taste.
- For this curry to have the best flavour, make sure you are using really good quality spices that haven't expired.
- Why not try making a plant based version of this and swapping the chicken for chickpeas.
- To make this curry spicier, add some extra dried chillies. You might want to wait until it is cooked to taste it and then sprinkle them on top to reach your desired heat level.
Nutritional Information
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Hayley says
I love cinnamon, but I don't think I have had it in a curry. Not that I know of anyway.
Sweet potato in a curry is a new one to me too, but I love it so I can't wait to give this a try.
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
This is just mouth watering. I am absolutely in love with curry! H x
Christine Dodd says
So sorry but I would have to leave out the cinnamon as I can't stand the stuff - otherwise this looks great!
Elizabeth says
Mmm sounds like heaven on a plate, this! I always make my own curry blends too. Totally worth it using fresh whole spices.
Shanna says
I'm going to honest....I did not read a single thing on this post, I was stuck looking at how good this looks! Now I have to read the how to make it becasue this is for dinner!
Platter Talk says
I think that I'm going to take this to step 3 & finish in a slow cooker for tonight. It just looks so good!
Noor says
This sounds incredible, and sweet potato curry is on my to-make list this week so I do believe I’ll be trying yours Thanks for a fabulous recipe!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
Cinnamon is a lovely thing to add to a curry! I can't believe you've only got 9 weeks left, it's gone so fast!
Gregory says
Those deer photos are beautiful. You are so lucky to be able to have this on your door step.
Cinnamon is my favourite spice too, although I haven't seen this brand before. The little grater is neat.
Platter Talk says
Looks & sounds delicious. Perfect dish for Fall. Thanks!
Claire says
Oh yum! I adore bulking out curries with sweet potato!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
9 weeks! Your due date is getting so close :) Congratulations on the car, it does make a difference with a little one. And this looks like a dish perfectly matched to autumn.
Donna says
Oh yum, this sounds like absolute comfort in a bowl! I have been craving a big bowl of delicious curry for so long, and I don't think I can wait for the weather to cool down anymore. Love the ingredients in the homemade curry - yum!!
Karis says
I would love some more curry recipes please. I tend to just have korma or masala, and they are getting a bit boring.
Felesha Bell says
I love a good curry dish and sweet potatoes are my jam!!