Chicken in Spicy Coconut Sauce

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Health score
13%
Chicken in Spicy Coconut Sauce
120 min.
8
702kcal

Suggestions

If you’re looking to elevate your dinner routine with a dish that bursts with bold, vibrant flavors, this Chicken in Spicy Coconut Sauce recipe is an absolute must-try. Perfectly balancing heat and creaminess, the rich coconut milk melds beautifully with fiery red chiles and aromatic lemongrass, creating a sauce that is both comforting and exhilarating. This dish showcases tender chicken drumsticks and thighs simmered slowly to absorb every ounce of the fragrant spices and tangy tamarind, resulting in meat that’s juicy, succulent, and packed with flavor.

What makes this recipe particularly appealing is that it’s both gluten-free and dairy-free, catering to a wide range of dietary needs without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. The depth of flavor comes from a thoughtfully crafted blend of fresh herbs and roots like galangal, turmeric, and ginger, alongside warm spices such as ground coriander and cumin. The use of dark palm sugar adds a subtle sweetness that balances the vibrant acidity of tamarind perfectly.

While this recipe requires patience with a total cooking time of about two hours, the slow simmer allows the sauce to thicken to a luscious consistency that clings lovingly to every bite of chicken. It serves eight generously, making it ideal for sharing at gatherings or meal prepping for the week ahead. Whether you are an adventurous home cook or simply someone who craves layers of authentic Southeast Asian flavors, this dish promises a rewarding culinary experience that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat.

Ingredients

  •  outer leaves and all but lower 6 inches discarded fresh
  • pound chicken drumsticks and thighs 
  • 5.5 inch holland chiles fresh red sliced (1 cup)
  • cups well-stirred coconut milk unsweetened low-fat canned (48 fl oz; not )
  • teaspoons brown sugar dark packed
  • tablespoon ginger fresh peeled chopped
  • inch galangal fresh frozen thawed sliced ( or )
  • teaspoons ground coriander 
  • teaspoon ground cumin 
  • teaspoons salt 
  • cup shallots chopped (4 large)
  • tablespoons tamarind from a pliable block 
  • teaspoons turmeric fresh frozen thawed peeled chopped ( or )
  • 0.5 cup water hot

Equipment

  • food processor
  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • pot
  • sieve
  • spatula
  • tongs

Directions

  1. Rub chicken with salt and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
  2. While chicken stands, gently mash tamarind with hot water in a bowl using your fingertips until pulp is softened, then force with a rubber spatula through a medium-mesh sieve into a small bowl, discarding solids. Pulse shallots, chiles, ginger, and turmeric with cumin and coriander in a food processor until finely chopped. Lightly smash lemongrass stalks with bottom of a heavy skillet.
  3. Stir together coconut milk, tamarind purée, shallot mixture, lemongrass, galangal, and palm sugar in a 6- to 7-quart wide heavy pot.
  4. Add chicken and bring to a simmer over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, then reduce heat and gently simmer, partially covered, until very tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
  5. Transfer chicken with tongs to a bowl and simmer sauce, uncovered, stirring frequently, until thickened and reduced to about 4 cups, 20 to 25 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then skim off any fat if desired. Discard lemongrass and season sauce with salt.
  7. Add chicken and stir to coat.
  8. Chicken can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely in sauce, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat over moderately low heat.

Nutrition Facts

Calories702kcal
Protein14.64%
Fat74.76%
Carbs10.6%

Properties

Glycemic Index
20.63
Glycemic Load
2.68
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
20.861304324606%

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:702.48kcal
35.12%
Fat:60.52g
93.11%
Saturated Fat:43.01g
268.8%
Carbohydrates:19.31g
6.44%
Net Carbohydrates:13.82g
5.03%
Sugar:10.87g
12.08%
Cholesterol:86.75mg
28.92%
Sodium:696mg
30.26%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:26.68g
53.35%
Manganese:1.82mg
91.18%
Vitamin B3:9.44mg
47.21%
Selenium:28.41µg
40.59%
Phosphorus:377.7mg
37.77%
Vitamin B6:0.59mg
29.49%
Copper:0.58mg
29.06%
Iron:4.95mg
27.51%
Magnesium:103.94mg
25.98%
Potassium:848.27mg
24.24%
Fiber:5.49g
21.95%
Zinc:2.91mg
19.41%
Vitamin B5:1.48mg
14.8%
Vitamin C:12.2mg
14.79%
Folate:47.09µg
11.77%
Vitamin B1:0.15mg
10.32%
Vitamin B2:0.16mg
9.16%
Calcium:64.22mg
6.42%
Vitamin B12:0.36µg
5.98%
Vitamin E:0.67mg
4.47%
Vitamin A:185.57IU
3.71%
Vitamin K:2.58µg
2.46%
Vitamin D:0.23µg
1.54%
Source:Epicurious