Description
Coconut Milk Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken simmered in creamy coconut milk with aromatic spices. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of rich, smooth texture and savory goodness, suitable for any meal or occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy & Pantry
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
Spices
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
Fresh Herbs & Citrus
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (or basil as alternative)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onions, mince the garlic, grate the fresh ginger, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their wonderful aromas that form the base of the dish.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder into the pan. Stir constantly for about one minute to toast the spices and awaken their flavors without burning.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pan, stirring to coat them evenly with the spiced aromatics. Cook until the chicken starts to brown slightly, sealing in the juices.
- Pour in Coconut Milk: Pour the full-fat coconut milk over the chicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens beautifully, about 15-20 minutes.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Citrus: Just before serving, stir in the chopped cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish to add brightness and fresh herbal notes to the creamy sauce.
Notes
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest and richest sauce.
- Brown the chicken first to enhance flavor with caramelized notes.
- Simmer gently and slowly to tenderize the chicken and meld flavors.
- Adjust spice levels gradually to suit your desired heat preference.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Fusion / Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg