Chicken Sweet Potato Curry (Instant Pot)

What’s not to love about a big bowl of curry that’s made in less than 30 minutes?! Chicken Sweet Potato Curry is heaven in a bowl. It comes with a little kick from the spices and a little sweet from the sweet potatoes.

Instant Pot Chicken Curry with sweet potatoes makes for a tasty, soul-warming, easy, weeknight meal.

This Whole30 friendly recipe is inspired by the Indian cuisine and makes a regular appearance on our menus. It’s flavorful, comforting and just a really good meal that will warm you right up on a cold winter day. This recipe requires about 10-15 minutes of chopping but after that comes together rather quickly in the Instant Pot. Not only is curry insanely delicious, it’s also packed with nutrients. One of the main spices in curry is turmeric which we all know provides a host of nutritional benefits as it’s incredibly rich in anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.

Now if you don’t have an Instant Pot but like the sounds of this recipe, you can try our Slow Cooker Chicken Sweet Potato Curry.

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Ingredients for Chicken Sweet Potato Curry

• Cooking fat of choice – such as olive oil or avocado oil. You can also use coconut oil, butter (not whole30) or ghee.
• Garlic and onion – because flavor!
• Chicken breast – chicken thighs also work great. We love ButcherBox for its quality meat options.
• Sweet potato – substitute butternut squash.
• Red bell pepper – any color of bell pepper will work.
• Chicken broth – we love making homemade bone broth. Thrive Markets chicken broth is another great option.
• Spices – curry powder, cumin, turmeric and cayenne. It’s important to use quality spices that aren’t outdated. Outdated spices will results in a bland curry.
• Sea salt 
• Full fat coconut milk – chicken curry with coconut milk makes for a delicious and creamy dairy-free recipe. While we recommend coconut milk for the best and most authentic flavor, you could substitute half and half or whole milk for a dairy option.
• Frozen green beans – frozen green beans work best in this recipe but you could also toss in a couple handfuls of greens in addition or in place of the green beans.
• Cashews, cilantro, lime wedges & cauliflower rice or rice of choice (not whole30) for serving 

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How to make Instant Pot Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes

This chicken curry with coconut milk is dairy-free and comes together in just 4 simple steps.

• Step 1: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add the ghee, onion, and garlic and saute until onions are translucent.
• Step 2: Then turn to high pressure. Add the chicken, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, broth, curry, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and sea salt. Seal the instant pot and set time for 10 minutes.
• Step 3: Once time is up, release the pressure by switching from seal to vent. Once pressure is released, remove lid and turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. Stir in the coconut milk and frozen green beans and let cook for an additional 2-3 minute or until the green beans are heated through.
• Step 4: Serve over cauliflower rice, regular rice or greens and top with cashews and fresh cilantro.

The sweet potatoes will break down resulting in a creamy, delicious, thick curry. For an even thicker curry you can mix together 2 tablespoons of of water with 1 tablespoon or tapioca or arrowroot flour. While the Instant Pot is on the sauté setting, stir it into curry after the coconut milk is heated through and let set for a few minutes to thicken.

Prep ahead tip: chop the vegetables and chicken a day or two before you plan to make this sweet potato curry. This will make for an incredibly easy weeknight meal.

Confused about poultry labeling? Check this post out to learn all about how to choose the best chicken in the grocery store. 

High quality spices = high quality taste!

High quality spices are key with cooking. The turmeric and curry powder in this Instant Pot Chicken Curry creates robust flavor and also gives the sweet potato curry its rich golden appearance. It’s important that your spices aren’t expired and are from a quality source. If not, you may end up with a bland bowl fo curry. We like Simply Organic or Thrive Market spices and seasonings.

Is this Chicken Sweet Potato Curry freezer-friendly?

I don’t know about about you, but I love freezer-friendly meals. Cook once, eat twice. After the Sweet Potato Chicken Curry has cooled down, individually portion out the curry in freezer-friendly containers. Date and store in freezer.

For best flavor, enjoy freezer-friendly meals within 3 months.

To reheat, remove from freezer the night before or morning of the day you plan to eat it. Reheat in saucepan over medium heat stirring occasionally.

Looking for guidance with meal planning? Check out Real Plans, a highly customizable online meal planning service that includes over 300 of our very own recipes.

What spices are in curry powder?

This can range from region to region but typically include turmeric, chili powder, fenugreek ground coriander, ground cumin, ground ginger and pepper. Curry powder can be bought pre-made and can vary in spiciness.

Other curry recipes to try

• Curry Chicken Salad
• Curry Egg Salad
• Instant Pot Lamb Curry

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.