Description
Brazilian Coconut Chicken is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a luscious coconut milk sauce infused with garlic, onions, spices, and fresh cilantro. This recipe offers an authentic taste of Brazilian cuisine that’s easy to prepare, versatile, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/4 cup for garnish and finishing)
- Juice of 1 lime
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 1 can (13.5 – 14 oz) full-fat coconut milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim and cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Set aside to allow the flavors to develop while preparing the aromatics.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer to the pan. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning to brown all sides evenly until golden crusts form, locking in juices and flavor.
- Add Spices and Tomatoes: Sprinkle ground cumin and paprika over the chicken, stirring to coat everything evenly. Pour in the diced tomatoes and cook until they soften and meld with the spices, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Pour in Coconut Milk and Simmer: Pour the full-fat coconut milk over the chicken and tomato mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Final Touches: Stir in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use dark meat such as chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Take your time browning the chicken to develop richer flavors.
- Add fresh cilantro just before serving to retain its bright color and freshness.
- Choose full-fat coconut milk to achieve the best creamy texture.
- Simmer gently on low heat to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken naturally.
- This dish can be customized by adding chili peppers for heat or swapping chicken for tofu or vegetables to make it vegetarian or vegan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop simmering
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Brazilian coconut chicken, coconut milk chicken, creamy chicken, Brazilian cuisine, coconut chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, gluten free chicken recipe