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A close-up shot of creamy coconut chicken stew in a skillet, showing chunks of tender chicken and red bell pepper.
FL Recipes

Brazilian Coconut Chicken (The Easiest Moqueca de Frango)

Discover the vibrant flavors of Brazil with this easy Brazilian Coconut Chicken recipe (Moqueca de Frango). A creamy, tangy, and savory stew made with tender chicken, coconut milk, and fresh herbs that's ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Brazilian, South American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz) undrained
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk (13.5 oz)
  • 1 tbsp dendê oil (red palm oil) or 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken cubes, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Heat the olive oil and dendê oil (or olive oil with paprika) in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
  4. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and the can of coconut milk. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
  5. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro and scallions. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot over rice, garnished with extra cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalProtein: 35gFat: 32gFiber: 4g

Notes

For the best flavor, use full-fat coconut milk. The creaminess is essential to the dish's character.
If you can't find dendê oil, the paprika substitute provides the classic color, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Let the chicken marinate for up to 30 minutes for an even more tender and flavorful result.
Keyword brazilian coconut chicken,coconut milk chicken,moqueca de frango

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