
What You'll Need
- Diced Chicken Breast: This lean meat cooks up fast and grabs all the yummy flavors in our bowl.
- Kosher Salt: Brings out the chicken's natural taste and ties everything together.
- Smoked Paprika: Gives a hint of smoky goodness that works great with the creamy sauce.
- Dried Oregano or Herbs: Adds some earthy notes that make everything pop.
For The Sauce
- Minced Onion: Creates a sweet foundation that deepens your sauce.
- Garlic: Can't skip this - it's what gives the sauce that wonderful aroma.
- Fresh Grated Ginger: Adds a zingy kick that cuts through the creamy coconut.
- Chicken Broth: Loosens up all those tasty bits stuck to the pan and adds meaty flavor.
- Canned Light Coconut Milk: The star player that makes everything smooth and tropical-tasting.
- Tomato Paste: Brings a bit of tang and richness, plus makes the sauce look prettier.
How To Make It
- Step 1: Get Your Chicken Ready
- Mix your diced chicken with kosher salt, smoked paprika and dried oregano. This combo will make your chicken taste amazing with the creamy sauce later.
- Step 2: Cook The Chicken
- Get a big skillet really hot and give it a quick spray with cooking oil. Throw in your seasoned chicken pieces, making sure they're spread out evenly. Let them cook for 3-5 minutes until they look golden. Take them out and put them aside when done.
- Step 3: Start The Flavor Base
- Turn the heat down to medium and maybe add another spray of oil if the pan looks dry. Toss in your minced onion, garlic, and grated ginger. Cook them for about a minute - just until you can really smell them and the onions start getting soft.
- Step 4: Clean The Pan
- Pour your chicken broth into the pan and scrape up all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom. Let it bubble for about a minute to mix all those flavors together.
- Step 5: Create Your Coconut Sauce
- Mix in the tomato paste, coconut milk, and another 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let it bubble gently and cook for a few minutes until it starts getting a bit thicker.
- Step 6: Finish Up The Chicken
- Put your chicken back into the skillet along with any juices that pooled on the plate. Let everything cook on medium for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully done and coated with that yummy sauce.
- Step 7: Dish It Up
- Scoop your coconut chicken over some jasmine or basmati rice, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and if you want it extra creamy, drizzle some more coconut milk on top.
Plating and Keeping Leftovers
- Put your hot chicken mix over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice and toss some fresh cilantro on top to make it look and taste amazing.
- If you want it super creamy, pour a little extra coconut milk on top before you dig in.
- Any leftovers will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days if you keep them in a sealed container.
- When it's time to eat again, warm it slowly in a pan on low heat with a splash of coconut milk or water to keep the sauce nice and smooth.
Pro Tips
- Want some heat? Throw in some red pepper flakes or sliced chilies while cooking the sauce.
- Always go for fresh ginger instead of powdered. You can add more or less based on how much you love that ginger kick.
- Watch your chicken closely - nobody wants tough, dry meat in their beautiful sauce.
Advice From Famous Kitchen Stars
- Yotam Ottolenghi always says to throw some fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil on dishes like this to wake up all the flavors.
- Nigella Lawson prefers using light coconut milk because it makes a smoother sauce that doesn't take over the whole dish.
- Jamie Oliver thinks a squeeze of lime right before eating can really make all the flavors pop and give everything a fresh twist.
What Makes This Dish Special
- This bowl brings together creamy, savory and fragrant flavors all in one simple meal.
- You can easily tweak how much coconut and ginger you use to match what you like best.
- It comes together so fast, making it perfect when you don't have tons of time to cook dinner.
Mix It Up
- Don't eat meat? Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas and you're good to go.
- Throw in some colorful veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or broccoli to make it even healthier.
- Watching carbs? Skip regular rice and serve it over cauliflower rice instead.
Conclusion
nan