Description
Coconut cilantro chicken delight brings tropical flavors from Mexico’s coastal regions to dinner tables worldwide. Creamy coconut milk and fresh cilantro create a harmonious blend you’ll crave with each savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 lb (226 g) chicken, shredded and finely chopped (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 15 oz (443 ml) coconut milk, unsweetened (1 can)
- 1 cup white rice, cooked
- 1 cup carrot, shredded (about 1 large carrot)
- 0.5 bunch cilantro
- 3 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps lime juice (about 1 fresh lime)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 0.25 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp ginger
- 0.25 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp salt
Instructions
- Sauté Setup: Melt butter in a spacious pot over medium-low heat, combining shredded carrots with warming spices including cinnamon, ginger, paprika, and salt. Gently cook until carrots soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Herb Infusion: Transform fresh cilantro and chicken broth into a vibrant green liquid by briefly pulsing in a blender. Pour this herbaceous base into the pot with caramelized carrots, creating a robust foundation for the dish.
- Flavor Fusion: Introduce creamy unsweetened coconut milk to the simmering mixture, carefully adding tender chicken pieces and fluffy white rice. Enhance the profile with a bright splash of lime juice and umami-rich soy sauce, stirring to integrate all components harmoniously.
- Simmering Perfection: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, interconnected flavors. Cook until chicken is thoroughly heated, rice becomes tender, and the liquid reduces slightly, creating a luxurious, cohesive texture.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from heat and let the dish rest briefly, allowing residual warmth to marry the intricate flavor profile. Serve immediately in warmed bowls, garnishing with additional fresh cilantro if desired for an extra burst of herbal brightness.
Notes
- Herb Blending Technique: Pulse cilantro and broth quickly to prevent over-processing, which can turn herbs bitter and muddy the vibrant green color.
- Spice Layering Strategy: Toast spices with carrots first to enhance their depth and release essential oils, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Coconut Milk Tip: Use unsweetened coconut milk to control overall dish sweetness and maintain a balanced, savory character.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent chicken from becoming tough and ensure rice cooks evenly without breaking down.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg