Chicken Curry: A Simple, Healthy Meal Teens Can Make Together

There’s something really lovely about hearing the sounds of dinner being made in the kitchen… and knowing it’s not you making it. That’s become a bit of a new rhythm in our house lately—every so often, my two teens (13 and 16) take over the kitchen for the evening and cook dinner together.

This week’s recipe? A simple, healthy chicken curry made from scratch.

It’s warm, hearty, packed with flavour—but most importantly, it’s easy enough for them to follow and flexible enough to suit both their tastes (which are wildly different, by the way).

Why This Curry Works for Teens

They’ve made this one a couple of times now, and it’s become a bit of a favourite. The steps are clear, it’s relatively quick to make, and it always smells amazing.

Plus, it’s one of those meals that feels like proper cooking—chopping, simmering, seasoning—but it doesn’t overwhelm them. They’re gaining life skills, independence, and a sense of pride in the process.

Real Life in the Kitchen

It’s not always picture-perfect. There are disagreements over how spicy is too spicy (my son is all about the heat, my daughter prefers it mild). There’s laughter. Occasional bickering. Garlic debates. A whole lot of “Is this cooked yet?”

But in between it all, something really meaningful is happening.

They’re spending time together—off screens, fully present, chatting about their day, their interests, their lives. Cooking has become their unspoken way of connecting. And honestly, it brings such a warm energy to the house.

Sometimes they’ll plate up proudly, other times they’ll toss the naan on the table and dive in while still joking about who messed up the rice.

It’s real. It’s joyful. It matters.

The Recipe

If you’d like to try it out with your own teens (or for yourself!), you’ll find the full step-by-step recipe below. You can also download a printable version here.

Ingredients:

• 4 large chicken breasts, chopped
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp medium curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 vegetable stock cube (dissolved in 200ml hot water)
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tin reduced-fat coconut milk
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)
• Boiled rice (to serve)
• Shop-bought naan breads (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat a little oil in a large pan and sauté the chopped onion until soft.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and ground coriander. Cook gently for 1–2 minutes.
4. Add the chopped chicken and cook until sealed on all sides.
5. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and the vegetable stock. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the coconut milk. Simmer for another 10–15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
7. Taste and season. Adjust spices depending on preference.
8. Serve hot with boiled rice and naan bread. Garnish with fresh coriander if you like!

Why These Moments Count

Teaching kids to cook is about so much more than food. It’s about:

• Learning real life skills
• Gaining confidence
• Making mistakes and trying again
• Feeling proud of what you’ve made
• Sharing time together in a world that’s always rushing

And for us, it’s become a gentle way to slow down and reconnect midweek.

If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it went—or if your teens have any favourite meals they love to cook too.

Here’s to more dinners made with love (and just the right amount of spice)!

Chat soon,

Ciara