Description
Coconut chicken rice bowl brings tropical flavors to your dinner table with creamy coconut sauce and tender grilled chicken. Fragrant jasmine rice and fresh cilantro provide perfect balance, making this dish a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) diced chicken breast
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or dried herbs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 0.5 onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1.25 cups (296 milliliters) canned light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
Serving Components:
- Fresh cilantro
- 3 cups (525 grams) cooked jasmine rice or basmati rice
- Extra coconut milk (optional for drizzling)
Instructions
- Generously coat diced chicken breast with a blend of kosher salt, smoked paprika, and dried oregano, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned.
- Heat a large skillet to high temperature and lightly coat with cooking spray. Arrange chicken in a single layer, allowing it to develop a golden-brown crust for 3-5 minutes without stirring.
- Transfer the seared chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its crispy exterior.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and spray with additional oil. Introduce minced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping any caramelized bits from the bottom to enhance the sauce’s depth.
- Incorporate tomato paste and coconut milk, seasoning with a touch of kosher salt. Allow the mixture to simmer and gradually thicken, creating a rich, creamy sauce.
- Reintroduce the browned chicken to the skillet, including any collected juices. Gently simmer for 3-4 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and absorbs the surrounding flavors.
- Plate the coconut-infused chicken atop fluffy jasmine rice, creating a vibrant and appetizing base.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and optionally drizzle additional coconut milk for an extra layer of luxurious creaminess.
Notes
- Quickly brown chicken at high heat to lock in rich, smoky flavors and create delicious caramelization.
- Gently simmer sauce with coconut milk and tomato paste to develop a creamy, complex texture that coats each chicken piece perfectly.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic to elevate the aromatic profile and add depth to the entire dish.
- Select jasmine rice for its delicate fragrance and soft, fluffy texture that complements the saucy chicken.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro to introduce a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the coconut sauce.
- Achieve restaurant-quality results by deglazing the pan and scraping up those flavorful browned bits for maximum taste intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg