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Brazilian Coconut Chicken

A creamy and flavorful one-pan dish that features chicken, coconut milk, and spices, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Brazilian, Latin American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in the garlic, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the chicken cubes into the skillet and cook for 5-7 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 15-20 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

For extra flavor, consider toasting the spices before adding other ingredients. This dish is also delicious with added veggies like bell peppers or snap peas. To make it vegan, substitute chicken with chickpeas or extra-firm tofu.