Description
Start your next dinner adventure with this incredibly flavorful **Brazilian Coconut Chicken**—a creamy, spiced, one-pan dish that brings tropical comfort straight to your table. This easy recipe features golden-seared chicken thighs simmered in a velvety coconut milk sauce with bell peppers, garlic, lime, and herbs. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep, it’s one of those food ideas you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, easy dinner idea, or healthy comfort food, this dish has you covered.
Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional: pinch red chili flakes or 1 chopped jalapeño
Instructions
1. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 5–7 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Pour in coconut milk and stir to combine. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
6. Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
7. Add lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning.
8. Let sit a few minutes off heat before serving.
9. Serve hot over rice or preferred sides.
10. Garnish with extra lime and herbs if desired.
Notes
Use full-fat coconut milk for the best creamy texture and flavor.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken gives more depth, but boneless works for faster cooking.
Don’t skip the lime—it balances the dish perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pan sauté and simmer
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, coconut chicken, dinner ideas, healthy comfort food