Description
Creamy Brazilian Coconut Chicken is a comforting and vibrant dish made with tender chicken thighs simmered in a luscious coconut milk sauce, infused with aromatic spices and zesty lime. This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also delivers an extraordinary depth of flavor that will become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs — 2 lbs (approx. 900g), cut into 1-inch pieces
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Yellow onion — 1 large, finely diced
- Garlic — 4 cloves, minced
- Red bell pepper — 1 large, deseeded and diced
- Ground cumin — 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika — 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder — 1/2 tsp
- Full-fat coconut milk — 1 can (13.5 oz / 400ml)
- Diced tomatoes (canned), undrained — 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g)
- Chicken broth — 1/2 cup (120ml)
- Fresh lime juice — 2 tbsp
- Fresh cilantro — 1/2 cup, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt — To taste
- Black pepper — To taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thigh pieces dry with paper towels, season with salt and black pepper
- Heat olive oil in a large pot, sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then set aside
- Sauté diced onion in the same pot for 5-7 minutes until soft, then add bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes
- Add minced garlic and spices, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant
- Pour in coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth, stir well and bring to a simmer
- Return seared chicken to the pot, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through
- Stir in fresh lime juice, adjust seasonings, and garnish with cilantro before serving
Notes
For a spicier variation, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely minced jalapeño when sautéing.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg