Probably one of the easiest Malaysian curries, Ayam Masak Lemak has been turned low-carb! It’s missing a few high-carb ingredients from the original style, but this speaks for itself in terms of flavor. Directly translated: Ayam means chicken, Masak means cook, and Lemak means fat. So it means chicken cook fat. Typically when something is described as lemak (fat), it means the dish is creamy.
Originally, Masak Lemak refers to a protein that’s cooked in coconut milk and turmeric. The “fat” part usually puts people off, but commonly cites coconut milk as the creamy aspect. Because of this, people don’t get it too often – mostly at special occasions or when visiting family.
If you’re looking to add a hint of acidity to the curry, you can always add a squeeze of lime juice when you’re finished. I opted not to, as I thought the rich and developed flavors spoke for themselves. Also, if you’re a fan of the heat, you can use a Bird’s Eye Chili instead of a Green Chili to really turn the burn factor up.
A word of caution: turmeric powder can and will stain fingers and clothes a bright yellow color. Make sure you are careful when working with it.
Yields 3 servings of Low-Carb Chicken Curry
The Preparation
- 2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 1.5 inch Ginger
- 1 medium Green Chilli
- 2 small Shallots
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1 stalk Lemongrass
- 1/2 cup Coconut Milk (from the can)
- 1/2 cup Water
- 6 small Chicken Drumsticks (~21 oz. bone-in)
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tbsp. Cilantro, chopped
The Execution
1. Bruise 1 stalk Lemongrass. This will help release the aroma when cooking.
2. With a pestle and mortar, pound 1.5 inch Ginger, 1 Green Chilli, 2 Shallots and 2 cloves Garlic. Alternatively, you can use a blender.
3. In a pre-heated pot over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp. Coconut Oil. Once hot, add in the pounded ingredients and saute.
4. After 3-4 minutes, add in 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder and the smashed Lemongrass and saute once again.
5. Add in Chicken meat and mix well with the sauteed ingredients.
6. Once the meat is coated, pour in 1/2 cup each Coconut Milk and Water.
7. Add in 1/2 tsp. Salt and cover the pot. Let everything cook for about 20 minutes or until desired thickness is reached and chicken is cooked through.
8. Sprinkle 1 tbsp. chopped Cilantro over the top and serve!
This makes a total of 3 servings of Low-Carb Chicken Curry. Each serving comes out to be 493 Calories, 35g Protein, 4.8g Net Carbs, and 37.5g Protein.
| Low-Carb Chicken Curry | Calories | Fats (g) | Carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
| 2 tbsp. Coconut Oil | 259 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 inch Ginger | 16 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1 Green Chilli | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 Shallots | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 cloves Garlic | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder | 28 | 1 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 1 |
| 1 stalk Lemongrass | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 oz. Chicken | 954 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 108 |
| 1/2 cup Coconut Milk | 199 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 1/2 cup Water | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1/2 tsp. Salt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 tbsp. chopped Cilantro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 1479.1 | 105.1 | 18.6 | 4.2 | 14.5 | 112.4 |
| Totals Per Serving (/3) | 493.0 | 35.0 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 37.5 |
Low-Carb Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 1.5 inch Ginger
- 1 Green Chilli
- 2 Shallots
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1 stalk Lemongrass
- ½ cup Coconut Milk
- ½ cup Water
- 21 oz. Chicken
- ½ tsp. Salt
- 1 tbsp. chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Bruise Lemongrass by hitting it.
- Pound Ginger, Green Chilli, Shallots and Garlic with a pestle and mortar (or blend them).
- Saute the pounded ingredients in Coconut Oil on medium heat.
- After 3-4 minutes, add Turmeric Powder and the bruised Lemongrass, and saute once more.
- Add Chicken and mix well.
- Pour Coconut Milk and Water and mix well once more. Add Salt and simmer while covered for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
- Sprinkle Cilantro and serve!
