Description
Caribbean-inspired coconut chicken brings island flavors to your dinner table with tender chicken bathed in creamy coconut sauce. Rich spices and tropical ingredients create a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast tenderloins, sliced
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded (pre-shredded, not fresh)
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz (113 g) sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) half and half (or ½ cup heavy cream + ½ cup milk)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) basil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta and Oil:
- 8 oz (226 g) penne pasta (gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sizzle minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until the garlic releases its fragrant essence, about 1 minute. Transfer the tomatoes to a separate plate, keeping the infused oil in the pan.
- Season chicken tenderloins with salt and paprika. Quickly sear the chicken over high heat, creating a golden exterior while maintaining a slightly undercooked center. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Simultaneously, cook penne pasta in boiling water according to package instructions. Carefully reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Chop the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller, more manageable pieces. Return them to the skillet along with the partially cooked chicken.
- Create a luscious sauce by introducing half-and-half and mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Gently bring the mixture to a soft simmer, continuously stirring until the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Introduce the cooked pasta to the skillet, thoroughly coating each piece with the rich sauce. Incorporate fresh basil and a hint of red pepper flakes, creating a vibrant flavor profile.
- Adjust the sauce’s texture by gradually adding reserved pasta water if needed. Allow the dish to simmer briefly, enabling the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Perform a final seasoning taste test, adding extra salt or red pepper flakes to elevate the dish’s overall flavor complexity.
Notes
- Requires minimal kitchen skills and basic cooking equipment, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious tropical meal.
- Unexpected flavor combination of sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and coconut creates a unique culinary experience that surprises taste buds.
- Quick preparation time of approximately 25 minutes makes this recipe ideal for weeknight dinners or spontaneous cooking adventures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg