Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spice)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Coconut Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
For Serving:
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly and let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
- Sear the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add the finely chopped onion and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until softened and fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken.
- Spice It Up: Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to become aromatic and toasty.
- Add Tomatoes and Coconut Milk: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the coconut milk. Stir well to combine everything into a creamy sauce base.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces to the pan. Add chicken broth and bay leaf; mix all ingredients until well combined.
- Simmer and Cook: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt and black pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve: Spoon the Spicy Brazilian Coconut Chicken over bowls of hot cooked rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to modify the heat level.
- This dish pairs beautifully with white, brown, or jasmine rice.
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.
- For a dairy-free meal, ensure your broth is also dairy-free.
- Top with extra lime wedges or a dollop of plain yogurt for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 1.5 cups with rice)
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg