These coconut milk braised rooster thighs are a flavorful and comforting dish good for weeknight dinners or particular events. With rooster thighs simmered in a wealthy and fragrant coconut milk sauce, this dish is assured to thrill.
These coconut milk braised rooster thighs are a go-to in my kitchen after I need one thing comforting, wealthy, flavorful, and straightforward to tug collectively. The rooster seems tender and the creamy coconut milk sauce is filled with heat spices and a kick of lime. It’s a type of meals that feels particular however doesn’t take a ton of effort. It’s good for any evening of the week.
Serve it with rice, naan, or roasted veggies to absorb all that sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser round right here, and I believe you’ll adore it too.
What We Assume You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
Make sure you try the complete recipe and ingredient record beneath
- Hen Thighs. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are perfect for this recipe as a result of they keep juicy and develop a crispy pores and skin when seared. You should use boneless, skinless thighs, however you’ll miss out on that scrumptious crispy pores and skin. Drumsticks and even rooster breasts can work in a pinch – simply regulate the cooking time accordingly.
- Olive Oil. Olive oil is used for searing the rooster and sautéing the aromatics. In case you’re out of olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil will work simply as properly.
- Onion. Onion provides a base of sweetness and depth to the sauce. Yellow or white onions are nice choices, however shallots may also be used for a extra delicate taste.
- Garlic. Minced contemporary garlic provides the dish fragrant, savory taste. If contemporary isn’t obtainable, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove may be substituted.
- Recent Ginger. Grated ginger provides heat and a slight spicy kick. Floor ginger can work as a backup (use about ¼ teaspoon for each tablespoon of contemporary), however contemporary is very really helpful for one of the best taste.
- Floor Turmeric. Floor turmeric provides earthy taste and a wonderful golden shade to the sauce. In case you don’t have turmeric, a small pinch of curry powder can be utilized a substitute.
- Floor Coriander. Floor coriander (cilantro) gives a refined citrusy undertone that enhances the lime. In case you don’t have it, a pinch of cumin or floor fennel might be used as a substitute.
- Crimson Chili Flakes (Elective). Crimson chili flakes deliver a mild warmth to the dish. Be happy to omit them or regulate the amount primarily based in your spice choice.
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Full-fat unsweetened coconut milk is vital for a creamy sauce. Keep away from utilizing mild coconut milk, because it received’t present the identical richness. In case you’re out of coconut milk, heavy cream can be utilized as an alternative, but it surely received’t have the identical taste as coconut milk.
- Hen Broth. Hen broth provides depth to the sauce. Vegetable inventory and even water can be utilized if wanted, however rooster inventory is really helpful for one of the best outcomes.
- Lime Juice. Lime juice as a contemporary, tangy kick. Recent lime is right, however lemon juice can work if limes aren’t obtainable.
- Soy Sauce (Elective). Soy sauce provides depth of taste. Use tamari for a gluten-free possibility, or skip it altogether if most well-liked.
- Salt and Black Pepper. Salt and pepper are important for seasoning the rooster and balancing the flavors within the sauce.
- Recent Cilantro. If cilantro isn’t your factor, parsley and even thinly sliced inexperienced onions are good options.
Directions with Pictures
That is simply an outline. Make sure you try the complete recipe and ingredient record beneath.
Suggestions for Success
- Pat the Hen Dry. Earlier than seasoning the rooster, make certain to pat it dry with paper towels. This step is essential for reaching that golden, crispy pores and skin throughout searing.
- Warmth the Oil Correctly. Make sure that the oil is scorching earlier than including the rooster to the pan. This prevents the pores and skin from sticking and helps it crisp up properly. A very good check is to tilt the pan barely – if the oil shimmers and flows simply, it’s prepared.
- Don’t Transfer the Hen. As soon as the rooster is within the pan, let it cook dinner undisturbed for the really helpful time. Transferring it too quickly could cause the pores and skin to stay and tear, so be affected person and let it develop a golden crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan. When searing the rooster, give each bit sufficient house within the skillet. Overcrowding traps steam, which prevents the pores and skin from crisping correctly. If wanted, sear the rooster in batches.
- Let the Hen Relaxation. After searing, place the rooster on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate. This helps preserve the crispy texture when you put together the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics Gently. Hold the warmth at medium when cooking the onions, garlic, and ginger. This prevents them from burning.
- Shake the Coconut Milk Can. Coconut milk tends to separate, so give the can shake earlier than opening.
- Simmer Gently: When braising the rooster, hold the warmth low to stop the coconut milk from curdling. If it does curdle, don’t fear – it’s nonetheless fit for human consumption and can style simply nearly as good.
- Use an On the spot Learn Thermometer. For completely cooked rooster, test that the interior temperature reaches 165 F (75 C). This ensures the meat is totally cooked whereas staying tender and juicy.
- Season to Style: Earlier than serving, style the sauce and regulate the salt, pepper, or lime juice to your liking. This ultimate tweak makes all of the distinction in balancing the flavors.
- Customise the Warmth: In case you’re not sure about spice ranges, begin with a smaller quantity of chili flakes. You’ll be able to at all times add extra, however you possibly can’t take it out!
- Plan for Leftovers: This dish tastes even higher the subsequent day because the flavors proceed to meld. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
Storage and Reheating
Storage:
- Permit the rooster to chill to room temperature earlier than storing.
- Switch the rooster and sauce to an hermetic container.
- Retailer within the fridge for as much as 3 days. In case you’d prefer to freeze it, place it in a freezer-safe container and retailer it for as much as 3 months.
Reheating:
- Stovetop (Really helpful): Place the rooster and sauce in a skillet or saucepan. Add a splash of rooster inventory or water if the sauce has thickened an excessive amount of. Warmth over low to medium warmth, stirring often, till the rooster is warmed by way of (inner temperature ought to attain 165 F/75 C).
- Microwave: Switch a portion of rooster and sauce to a microwave-safe dish. Cowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to stop splattering. Warmth in 1-minute increments on medium energy, stirring the sauce and checking the rooster’s temperature between intervals.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Place the rooster and sauce in an oven-safe dish, cowl with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or till heated by way of.
Freezer Reheating:
- Thaw the rooster and sauce within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating utilizing one of many above strategies.
Reheating Suggestions
Keep away from overheating the sauce, as this may increasingly trigger the coconut milk to separate.
If reheating from frozen and also you’re brief on time, you possibly can place the frozen dish in a skillet with a bit rooster inventory and warmth gently on the stovetop till totally thawed and warmed by way of.
- 6 bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs
- Salt and black pepper to style
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced. About 4 teaspoons minced.
- 1 tablespoon contemporary ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon floor turmeric
- 1 teaspoon floor coriander
- ½ teaspoon purple chili flakes non-obligatory, cut back or omit for milder taste (Be aware 3)
- 1 14 oz can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk (shake properly earlier than opening) (Be aware 4)
- ½ cup rooster broth
- 1 lime juiced (about 2 tablespoons), plus lime wedges for serving
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce non-obligatory for deeper taste (Be aware 6)
- Recent cilantro chopped, for garnish
-
Pat the 6 bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs dry with paper towels to take away moisture, making certain the pores and skin will crisp up throughout searing (Be aware 1). Season each side generously with Salt and black pepper.
6 bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs, Salt and black pepper
-
Warmth 2 tablespoons olive oil in a big skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high warmth. Place the rooster thighs skin-side down and cook dinner undisturbed for 5-6 minutes, or till the pores and skin is golden and crisp. (Be aware 2).For security, use a splatter guard to cut back oil splatter.Flip and cook dinner for one more 2 minutes. Take away the rooster and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to maintain the pores and skin crispy.
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
Decrease the warmth to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook dinner for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, till softened. Stir within the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon contemporary ginger, 1 teaspoon floor turmeric, 1 teaspoon floor coriander, and ½ teaspoon purple chili flakes (if utilizing) and cook dinner for about 1 minute, or till aromatic (Be aware 3).
1 medium onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon contemporary ginger, 1 teaspoon floor turmeric, 1 teaspoon floor coriander, ½ teaspoon purple chili flakes
-
Shake the 1 14 oz can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk properly to mix any separated solids and liquids (Be aware 4). Pour the coconut milk and ½ cup rooster broth into the skillet. Add the two tablespoons lime juice and 1 tablespoon soy sauce (if utilizing). Stir properly, scraping up any browned bits from the underside of the pan for added taste. Style and regulate seasoning with salt and black pepper as wanted.
1 14 oz can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk, ½ cup rooster broth, 1 lime, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
-
Return the rooster thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Decrease the warmth to a mild simmer, cowl with a lid, and cook dinner for 25-Half-hour. Verify the rooster’s inner temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 165 F (74 C) (Be aware 7).
-
Take away the skillet from the warmth. Garnish the rooster with chopped Recent cilantro and serve scorching with steamed rice, naan, or roasted greens. Add lime wedges on the aspect, if you would like. (Be aware 8).
Recent cilantro
- Patting the rooster dry removes extra moisture, serving to to make sure a crisp sear.
- If utilizing a Dutch oven, preheat it earlier than including the oil. Make sure that the oil is scorching earlier than including the rooster to stop the pores and skin from sticking to the pan. Additionally, keep away from shifting the rooster throughout cooking to permit the pores and skin to render its fats and grow to be crispy.
- Cut back or omit the chili flakes for a much less spicy dish.
- Shaking the can of unsweetened coconut milk combines the contents for a creamy, even sauce.
- Low warmth prevents the coconut milk from curdling, making certain a easy sauce. If curdling happens, it’s nonetheless fit for human consumption.
- Soy sauce enhances taste however can add saltiness. You could want to regulate the opposite seasonings should you determine to make use of it.
- For meals security, use an instantaneous learn thermometer to substantiate doneness.
- Serving Options: Pair with sides that absorb the sauce, like rice or naan.
Energy: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 24g | Fats: 29g | Saturated Fats: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 6g | Monounsaturated Fats: 13g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 356mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 6 servings
Energy: 378kcal
