Spicy Brazilian Coconut Chicken (Printable version)
Tender chicken in a creamy coconut sauce with bell peppers, garlic, and warming spices. A vibrant, dairy-free Brazilian-inspired dinner ready in under an hour.
# What you'll need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Marinade & Base
04 - 1 tbsp lime juice
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
→ Spices
10 - 1-2 red chilies, finely chopped
11 - 2 tsp sweet paprika
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp ground coriander
14 - ½ tsp chili flakes
→ Sauce
15 - 1 (14 oz) can coconut milk, full fat
16 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
17 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
18 - ½ cup chicken stock
→ Finishing
19 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
21 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Season chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Let stand for 10 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, red and green bell peppers, and chilies; cook for another 2 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in paprika, cumin, coriander, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Return chicken to the pan. Add coconut milk, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken stock. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
06 - Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly.
07 - Stir in chopped cilantro and parsley. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs and lime wedges. Accompany with steamed rice or farofa if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce is rich and velvety without any dairy, making it perfect for lactose free friends who still want comfort food
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the spices deepen into the coconut milk
02 -
- Do not shake the coconut milk can before opening and scoop the thick cream from the top for the richest sauce
- Resist the urge to rush the simmering step as the sauce needs time to thicken properly
03 -
- Cook the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate overnight for the most developed flavor
- Pat the chicken very dry before searing or it will steam instead of brown