Brazilian Coconut Chicken Tender (Printable version)

Tender chicken in creamy coconut sauce with aromatic Brazilian spices and fresh herbs for a flavorful meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 medium tomato, diced
07 - 1 small chili pepper, finely chopped
08 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Liquids

09 - 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk, full fat preferred
10 - ¼ cup chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon paprika
14 - ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
17 - Juice of 1 lime

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sear on all sides until golden, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - In the same pan, add onions and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
03 - Add garlic, red and green bell peppers, and chili pepper. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Stir in diced tomato, cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Return seared chicken to the pan. Add coconut milk and chicken broth, stirring well to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce slightly thickened.
06 - Stir in lime juice and half the chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot, garnished with remaining cilantro.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The creamy coconut sauce balances perfectly with warm spices, creating comfort food that feels exotic yet familiar
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
  • The whole family will ask for seconds, and the leftovers taste even better the next day
02 -
  • Do not skip searing the chicken first, that golden color creates depth you cannot get otherwise
  • Full fat coconut milk makes a huge difference, light versions leave the sauce thin and disappointing
  • The sauce naturally thickens as it sits, so do not worry if it looks slightly thin right after adding the coconut milk
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before searing, or it will steam instead of develop that gorgeous golden crust
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding chicken, and do not crowd the pieces or they will stew in their own juices

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