Brazilian Coconut Chicken (Printer-friendly)

Creamy coconut milk chicken with lime zest, cumin, and fresh cilantro. A vibrant Brazilian-inspired main ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 green chili (optional), finely chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
07 - 1 lime, zest and juice

→ Liquids & Dairy Alternatives

08 - 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
09 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the garlic, chili (if using), cumin, paprika, and coriander; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Return the chicken to the pan, then pour in the coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
05 - Stir in the lime zest, juice, and chopped cilantro. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro, alongside steamed rice or cassava.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The coconut milk creates this incredibly velvety sauce that clings to every bite of chicken
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
  • Perfect for those nights when you want dinner to feel special without actually being complicated
02 -
  • I once forgot to brown the chicken first and the whole dish turned out pale and bland, that step is non-negotiable
  • Letting the sauce reduce for those extra few minutes makes the difference between soupy and perfectly creamy
03 -
  • Marinate your chicken in half the spices and lime juice for 30 minutes if you have time, it's a total game changer
  • Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled, the difference in brightness is worth the extra effort

Return