Description
A comforting and flavorful coconut chicken dish made with tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, creamy coconut milk sauce infused with aromatic spices. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil or coconut oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- 2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- 4. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides. You don’t need to cook them through at this stage.
- 5. Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and release their aromas.
- 6. Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 7. Stir in the soy sauce and brown sugar (if using).
- 8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- 9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- 10. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
Store leftover coconut chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave, stirring halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g