Description
Tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich, fragrant coconut milk sauce infused with warm spices and fresh basil, served over fluffy cooked rice for a flavorful and comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1½ lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Serving
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the aromatics.
- Sauté onion: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, and turmeric, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant to build the flavor base.
- Cook chicken: Add the diced chicken thighs to the skillet, cooking until they are lightly browned on all sides but not necessarily fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add coconut milk and simmer: Pour in the can of coconut milk, stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the chicken cook in the coconut milk sauce for 15 to 18 minutes, allowing the chicken to become fully cooked and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish with basil and seasoning: Stir in the fresh chopped basil and season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
- Serve: Spoon the spiced coconut basil chicken over warm cooked rice and serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Fresh cilantro can be used as a substitute for basil if preferred.
- Jasmine rice pairs especially well with the coconut sauce, but other long-grain rice varieties can also be used.
- Ensure to simmer gently to prevent the coconut milk from curdling.
- For a spicier version, add chili flakes or fresh chopped chili in step 3 with the spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
