Spicy Brazilian Coconut Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken in creamy coconut sauce with Brazilian spices and fresh herbs
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 cup chicken stock
→ Finishing
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
21 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Let sit for 10 minutes to marinate.
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 and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, red and green bell peppers, and chilies; cook for another 2 minutes.
04 - Stir in paprika, cumin, coriander, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until spices become fragrant.
05 - Return chicken to the pan. Add coconut milk, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken stock. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
06 - Bring mixture 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 as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs and lime wedges. Pair with steamed rice or farofa if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The coconut cream creates this velvety sauce that coats every single piece of chicken perfectly
- It's one of those dishes that tastes like you spent hours but comes together in under an hour
- The spices hit that sweet spot where it's warm and aromatic without overwhelming anyone who's heat-shy
02 -
- The sauce will look thin at first but it thickens as it simmers so don't be tempted to add flour or cornstarch
- Don't skip the searing step even though it adds a few minutes those browned bits are what give the sauce depth
03 -
- Shake your coconut milk can before opening sometimes the cream separates at the top and you want it fully incorporated
- If your sauce is too spicy a squeeze of extra lime juice or a dollop of plain coconut milk will help balance it