Description
Brazilian coconut chicken brings sizzling South American flavors to your dinner table, blending rich coconut milk with fiery peppers. Fragrant spices and tender chicken create a mouthwatering dish that transports you to Brazil’s culinary heart with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Base and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 milliliters) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Infuse chicken thighs with a vibrant blend of garlic, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, allowing flavors to meld for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Warm vegetable oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions and red bell peppers until they become translucent and softened.
- Introduce cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika to the pan, toasting the spices for approximately 60 seconds to unlock their aromatic essence.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, velvety coconut milk, rich chicken broth, and tuck in a bay leaf, seasoning with salt and black pepper to create a luxurious sauce base.
- Nestle the marinated chicken pieces into the simmering liquid, reducing heat to maintain a gentle bubble, and cook for 20 minutes until the chicken reaches perfect tenderness and the sauce thickens to a luxurious consistency.
- Discard the bay leaf, plate the succulent chicken atop steamed rice, and adorn with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of color and brightness.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, spicy flavor profile.
- Reduce cayenne pepper amount for milder heat levels, perfect for those with sensitive taste buds.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Toast whole spices before grinding to enhance their depth and complexity, elevating the overall dish’s aromatic quality.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg