Quick Seafood Panang Curry
When you want that rich, exotic curry flavor without the long prep or complicated spice pastes.
Let's be real: some nights you just need a hug in a bowl. This Panang Curry is exactly that. It hits those deep, creamy notes of coconut and red chili while keeping things incredibly simple for your tired brain. We're using a high-quality curry paste to skip the 'grind your own spices' phase of the evening. The seafood cooks lightning-fast, so you aren't standing over a hot stove forever. It’s rich, fragrant, and feels like a fancy night out, even if you're eating it in your pajamas on the couch.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 1 cup coconut milk — full-fat preferred for creaminess
- 3 tbsp red curry paste — ensure it is Thai-style
- 1 tbsp fish sauce — for that essential salty depth
- 1 tbsp brown sugar — to balance the heat
- 1 tsp dried red chilies — optional for extra kick
Method
- 1 Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coconut milk and curry paste.
- 2 Whisk the coconut milk and curry paste together until well combined. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to wake up the aromatics.
- 3 Stir in the fish sauce and brown sugar. Taste it—it should be rich, slightly salty, and have a gentle kick.
- 4 Add the shrimp to the pan. Stir to coat them thoroughly in the sauce.
- 5 Simmer for 4-6 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Don't overcook them!
- 6 Finish with a squeeze of lime juice (if you have one handy) and serve immediately over jasmine rice or rice noodles.
Variations
- Veggie Swap — Replace the shrimp with cubed firm tofu or extra-firm tempeh.
- Faster Prep — Use pre-cooked rice packets to shave another 10 minutes off your total time.
Notes
If you want to add some crunch, toss in a handful of snap peas or baby spinach right before the shrimp finish cooking.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — Provides enough surface area to coat the shrimp evenly in the curry base.
Find more dinners like this
Same cuisine
Same time budget
More like this
few ingredients
Quick Seafood Massaman Curry
Craving deep, complex flavors but have zero energy to prep a marathon meal? This is your shortcut.
17 min · easy ·529 cal ·$$
few ingredients
Garlic Butter Seared Scallops
When you need a high-end dinner feel without the actual effort of a complex prep.
15 min · easy ·315 cal ·$$$
few ingredients
Honey Garlic Glazed Fish
When you're too tired to cook but want something that feels like a fancy bistro meal.
15 min · easy ·227 cal ·$$