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A close-up overhead shot of creamy coconut chicken stew with colorful bell peppers and fresh herbs in a serving dish.

Brazilian Coconut Chicken: An Authentic Moqueca de Galinha

This Brazilian Coconut Chicken (Moqueca de Galinha) recipe is a rich, creamy, and flavorful one-pan meal! This authentic and easy stew is ready in under an hour, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Brazilian, South American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp dendê oil (azeite de dendê) or substitute with olive oil and 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 bell peppers mixed colors, sliced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Mixing Bowl

Instructions
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with minced garlic, lime juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Heat the dendê oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
  4. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Pour in the coconut milk and stir everything together to combine.
  5. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro, alongside fluffy white rice.

Notes

Dendê Oil Substitute: If you cannot find dendê oil, you can substitute it by warming 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1/2 teaspoon of paprika and a pinch of turmeric.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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