Brazilian Coconut Chicken Recipe
A flavorful Brazilian Coconut Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breast simmered in a creamy coconut milk sauce with tomatoes, aromatic spices, and fresh cilantro, served over steamed rice for a comforting and exotic meal.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Diet: Halal
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14-ounce (400 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Spices and Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 14-ounce (400 ml) can coconut milk
Serving
- Steamed rice, for serving
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté the onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) and cook for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, allowing the spices to bloom.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken cubes to the skillet, cooking for 5-7 minutes while stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken to your taste preferences.
- Add liquids: Pour in the coconut milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer to start forming the sauce.
- Incorporate tomatoes and lime juice: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and the lime juice to add acidity and depth to the sauce.
- Simmer the dish: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Add cilantro: Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the Brazilian coconut chicken hot, spooned over steamed rice and garnished with extra cilantro for a fresh finish.
Notes
- The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted or omitted based on your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh lime juice brightens the flavor; bottled lime juice may alter the taste slightly.
- Steamed jasmine or basmati rice works well as a side to absorb the flavorful sauce.
- For a richer taste, use full-fat coconut milk.
- Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe with rice)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Brazilian chicken, coconut chicken recipe, creamy chicken curry, coconut milk chicken, spicy chicken dish