Yellow Curry Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Imagine tender chunks of chicken swimming in a creamy, aromatic yellow curry sauce that's bursting with flavors.
A Year of Meal Plans on a Budget
Gluten Free

I’ve got a fantastic freezer meal recipe to share with you today – Yellow Curry Chicken. It’s not only incredibly delicious but also a lifesaver on those busy days when you just don’t have the time to cook from scratch. This freezer meal is a game-changer.

Imagine tender chunks of chicken swimming in a creamy, aromatic yellow curry sauce that’s bursting with flavors. The best part? You can prepare a raw batch of the recipe and store it in your freezer for those days when you need a quick and satisfying meal.

And here’s the best news: this is a crockpot recipe! That means all you have to do is dump the frozen goodness into your trusty slow cooker, set it and forget it. Your house will be filled with the irresistible aroma of curry as it simmers away, and all you’ll have to do when you get home is prepare some rice or noodles to serve with it.

So, are you ready to dive into this hassle-free, flavor-packed Yellow Curry Chicken freezer meal? Let’s get cooking!

Why you’ll love this Yellow Curry Chicken Freezer Meal

  • Balanced Meal 
  • Kid-friendly
  • Adaptable spice level
  • Freezer Friendly Recipe
  • Flavorful
A Year of Meal Plans on a Budget
Yellow Curry Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe
Hannah Stewart
Imagine tender chunks of chicken swimming in a creamy, aromatic yellow curry sauce that's bursting with flavors.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 Adults
Calories 803 kcal
Equipment
  • 1 Slow Cooker
  • 1 High speed blender/food processor
  • 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients
 
 
Main Ingredients:
  • 2-3 lb chicken thighs boneless/skinless
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
Curry Sauce:
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 14.5 oz full-fat coconut milk can
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes can
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp raw honey
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
 
Freezer prep directions:
  • Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
  • Blend all curry sauce ingredients in high speed blender or food processor to make curry sauce.
  • Add all main ingredients and curry sauce into gallon freezer bag.
  • Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.
Slow cooker directions:
  • Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
  • Dump contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 5-6 hours
  • Shred chicken, stir in slow cooker, and serve over basmati rice.
Instant Pot Directions
  1. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
  2. Set to High Pressure for 20 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release. 
  3. Shred chicken, stir in instant pot, and serve over basmati rice.
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
 
Make it Dairy-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 803kcalCarbohydrates: 55.6gProtein: 18.4gFat: 63.3gSaturated Fat: 52.7gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 7137mgPotassium: 1697mgFiber: 14.1gSugar: 37.5gCalcium: 137mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Chicken Curry Slow cooker, Chicken Recipes, easy freezer meals for new moms, Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
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Equipment Needed to make your Make-Ahead Yellow Curry Chicken

  • 1 Slow cooker
  • 1 High speed blender/food processor
  • 1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients for your Yellow Curry Chicken

  • 2 lb Bone-In Chicken Thighs, no skin*
  • 1/2 Large Onion, chopped

Curry Sauce:

  • 6 oz Tomato Paste
  • 13.5 oz can Full Fat Coconut Milk
  • 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes
  • 2 large Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp Raw Honey
  • 2 tbsp Curry Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper(Optional)*

How to make a Yellow Curry Chicken

Prep/freezer directions:

  1. Label Freezer bag with Recipe name, cooking from freezer directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
  2. Blend all curry sauce ingredients in high speed blender or food processor to make curry sauce.
  3. Add all main ingredients and curry sauce into gallon freezer bag.
  4. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.

Cooking directions:

  1. Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
  2. Dump contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low 6-8 hours
  4. Shred chicken, remove bones and stir back into slow cooker.
  5. Serve over basmati rice (cauliflower rice if paleo).

What to pair with your Chicken Recipe Yellow Curry Chicken

Sides:

  • Jasmine Rice: A classic choice to serve with Yellow Curry Chicken, its mild flavor complements the spiciness of the curry.
  • Naan Bread: Soft and fluffy Indian naan bread is perfect for scooping up the curry sauce.
  • Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad with a tangy dressing can provide a cooling contrast to the heat of the curry.

Desserts:

  • Mango Sticky Rice: A popular Thai dessert, it’s a sweet and sticky treat that pairs wonderfully with the flavors of yellow curry.
  • Coconut Ice Cream: Creamy coconut ice cream offers a tropical and cooling finish to your meal.
  • Lemon Bars: The zesty and sweet flavor of lemon bars can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the curry.

Mocktails:

  • Thai Iced Tea Mocktail: A non-alcoholic version of the classic Thai iced tea, made with sweetened condensed milk and strong brewed tea.
  • Mango Lassi: A mango lassi made with yogurt and fresh mango is a sweet and creamy drink that complements the curry’s spice.
  • Cucumber Mint Cooler: A refreshing mocktail made with cucumber, mint, and a splash of soda water, offering a cooling effect alongside the curry’s heat.

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

  • Greek Yogurt: Replace the full-fat coconut milk with Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie, high-protein alternative that maintains creaminess.
  • Stevia or Agave Nectar: Swap the raw honey with a natural sweetener like stevia or agave nectar to reduce sugar content while still achieving the desired balance of flavors.
  • Brown Rice or Cauliflower Rice: Instead of serving the curry with white rice, opt for brown rice or cauliflower rice for a healthier carbohydrate source that won’t spike blood sugar levels as much.

Additions:

  • Leafy Greens: Add a handful of spinach, kale, or Swiss chard to the curry for extra fiber and nutrients without significantly altering the taste.
  • Bell Peppers: Sliced bell peppers, especially red or yellow ones, can contribute vitamins and a sweet crunch to the dish.
  • Zucchini or Cauliflower: Include diced zucchini or cauliflower florets for added texture and fiber, making the curry more substantial.

These additions and substitutions will help make your Yellow Curry Chicken healthier by increasing its nutritional value and reducing its calorie and sugar content without compromising on taste.

How to Reheat and Store Yellow Curry Chicken

Best way to store Make Ahead Chicken Yellow Curry leftovers?

After you have cooked your Yellow Chicken Curry, allow the leftovers to cool completely. Avoid overcrowding in your airtight containers, as proper air circulation helps maintain the quality of the leftovers.

Make sure to transfer your curry, after it has cooled into an airtight glass container or freezer bag. Label the date and recipe on the container so you can store for a proper amount of time in the fridge or in the freezer.

How long will Yellow Curry Chicken last in the fridge?

The Yellow Curry Chicken leftovers will last in the fridge if you have followed proper cool down procedures and have stored the recipe in an airtight container properly. Store the container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.

The Yellow Chicken Curry can typically be safely stored in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Make sure when you go to reheat, that you assess the leftovers by smell to make sure that your food has not spoiled.

Can I freeze Chicken Curry after cooking?

If you do not plan to consume your leftovers before the time of safe storage in the fridge, freezing your leftovers is an option. If you want to partition your meal into different storage containers, so that you do not have to heat up everything in a large batch just to eat part of the leftover, place your meal in different freezable containers. Yellow curry chicken can typically be frozen for up to 2-3 months. 

How to Reheat Make Ahead Yellow Curry Chicken?

When reheating, ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees to kill any potential bacteria. Reheat on the portion you intend to eat.

When reheating, you may need to add a bit of water or coconut milk to restore the original consistency, as curry sauces can thicken in the refrigerator. Always use safe food handling practices to prevent food borne illness and enjoy your leftover Yellow Chicken Curry safely.

Make Ahead Yellow Curry Chicken FAQs

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Comments

  1. Peanut Butter Chicken Curry Freezer Meal Recipe – My Family Dinner says:

    […] February 14, 2024 […]

  2. Elaine says:

    What can be used instead of coconut milk in your recipes?

    • Hannah Stewart says:

      I haven’t tried with another milk but I’m sure Heavy cream or high-fat content milk would work great!

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Hi! I'm Hannah

As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!

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