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Brazilian Coconut Chicken

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A quick and comforting Brazilian dish featuring tender chicken in a creamy coconut-tomato sauce, brightened with lime and cilantro.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 14-ounce (400 ml) can coconut milk
  • 1 14-ounce (400 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Steamed rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about three to four minutes.
  3. Stir in the garlic, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using, and cook for about one minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the chicken cubes into the skillet and cook for five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides.
  5. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Pour in the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  7. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and lime juice.
  8. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about fifteen to twenty minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  9. Stir in the chopped cilantro and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  10. Serve hot over steamed rice, garnished with extra cilantro.

Notes

Choose chicken pieces that are similar in size for even cooking. You can add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach in the last five minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg