Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime – Quick and Creamy One-Pan Recipe

At Eminent Recipes, every dish tells a story of home cooking made simple and meaningful. Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime reflects my love for balanced, one-pan meals that bring bold flavors to the table without stress. Inspired by family dinners and weeknight cooking, this Brazilian coconut chicken recipe combines creamy coconut milk, fresh lime, and tender chicken into a comforting meal that’s quick, customizable, and perfect for sharing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime is the kind of dish that fits perfectly into real life cooking. It’s quick, easy, and designed for busy home kitchens where flavor still matters. This one pan coconut lime chicken recipe uses simple ingredients but delivers rich, creamy results thanks to coconut milk and fresh lime juice. The balance of citrus and coconut makes this Brazilian coconut chicken recipe comforting without being heavy.

You’ll love how flexible this dish is. It can be adjusted into a spicy Brazilian coconut chicken recipe, turned into a Brazilian coconut chicken with lime and rice, or even adapted with peanut butter for a coconut chicken curry-style meal. Everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup effortless and dinner stress-free.

This coconut and lime chicken marinade keeps the chicken tender and juicy, while the sauce pairs beautifully with rice or vegetables. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping, or planning a special dinner, Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime offers a balanced, customizable, and family-friendly meal you’ll want to make again.

Ingredients for This Recipe

The ingredients in Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime are simple, fresh, and carefully chosen to create bold flavor with minimal effort. Tender chicken absorbs the coconut and lime chicken marinade, becoming juicy and flavorful as it cooks. Full-fat coconut milk is essential for that creamy, silky sauce that defines a great Brazilian coconut chicken recipe, while fresh lime juice and zest add brightness and balance. Garlic, paprika, and cumin bring warmth and depth, and chili flakes allow you to adjust the heat for a spicy Brazilian coconut chicken recipe if desired. Onion and olive oil form a flavorful base, and optional chicken broth helps create extra sauce perfect for serving with rice. Optional peanut butter transforms this dish into a Brazilian coconut chicken curry-style variation, adding richness and body. Fresh herbs at the end lift the dish and tie everything together.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken & Marinade:
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup coconut milk (full-fat for best flavor)
Zest and juice of 2 limes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon chili flakes or cayenne (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Cooking:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)
½ cup chicken broth (optional)

Optional Add-ins:
1–2 tablespoons peanut butter
Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

How to Make This Recipe

Making Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime is simple, flavorful, and perfect for a one-pan dinner. The process starts with the coconut and lime chicken marinade, which infuses the chicken with bright citrus and creamy coconut flavor. Searing the chicken first locks in moisture and builds depth, a key step in any authentic Brazilian coconut chicken recipe. Cooking everything in one pan allows the coconut milk, lime juice, and spices to blend into a rich sauce that coats every bite. As the chicken simmers, the flavors deepen, creating a one pan coconut lime chicken that is balanced, comforting, and ideal for serving with rice or vegetables. This method keeps the chicken tender while delivering a sauce that works beautifully for Brazilian coconut chicken with lime and rice.

🛒 Steps:

Marinate the Chicken
Combine coconut milk, fresh lime juice, lime zest, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken and coat well to create a coconut and lime chicken marinade. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor.

Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and sear until golden on both sides, building flavor for this Brazilian coconut chicken recipe.

Build the Coconut Lime Sauce
Sauté onion and bell pepper in the same pan until softened. Pour in the reserved marinade and chicken broth, stirring to create a creamy coconut lime sauce.

Simmer and Finish
Return chicken to the pan, reduce heat, and simmer until fully cooked and tender. Adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve hot.

Expert Cooking Tips

Mastering Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime is all about small techniques that elevate flavor and texture. Using full-fat coconut milk is essential for achieving the creamy sauce expected from a classic Brazilian coconut chicken recipe. Fresh lime juice and zest should always be added in balanced amounts to keep the coconut lime chicken bright without overpowering the dish. Searing the chicken properly before simmering locks in juices and enhances the final one pan coconut lime chicken. Controlling heat during simmering prevents the coconut milk from separating, keeping the sauce smooth and rich. These expert techniques ensure consistent results whether you’re serving Brazilian coconut chicken with lime and rice or enjoying it on its own.

💡 Expert Tips:

Choose the Right Chicken
Use boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness in this Brazilian coconut chicken recipe, or chicken breasts for a leaner one pan coconut lime chicken.

Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Allow the coconut and lime chicken marinade to soak into the chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor.

Simmer, Don’t Boil
Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent coconut milk from breaking and to maintain a creamy coconut lime sauce.

Customize the Heat
Add chili flakes or cayenne gradually to control spice levels for a spicy Brazilian coconut chicken recipe.

Finish with Fresh Lime
Add a splash of lime juice just before serving to brighten the flavors of Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime.

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Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime is a vibrant, creamy, and easy-to-make dish that brings bold Brazilian flavors to your table. Using a simple coconut and lime chicken marinade, this one pan coconut lime chicken cooks quickly while staying tender and juicy, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Whether you serve it with rice, vegetables, or as a rich coconut chicken curry-style variation, this Brazilian coconut chicken recipe is family-friendly, customizable, and sure to become a favorite in your home cooking rotation.

Brazilian Coconut Chicken with Lime

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A creamy, zesty Brazilian-inspired chicken dish made with tender chicken simmered in coconut milk, fresh lime juice, garlic, and warm spices. This flavorful recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made as a one-pan coconut lime chicken that pairs beautifully with rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):

For the Chicken & Marinade:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

• 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat for best flavor)

• Zest and juice of 2 limes

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon chili flakes or cayenne (optional, for spicy version)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Cooking:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)

• ½ cup chicken broth (optional, for extra sauce)

Optional Add-ins:

• 1–2 tablespoons peanut butter (for Brazilian coconut chicken curry style)

• Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, whisk coconut milk, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours for deeper flavor).

Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear 3–4 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
In the same pan, sauté onion (and bell pepper if using) until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Pour in reserved marinade and chicken broth. Stir well.

Step 4: Simmer
Return chicken to the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens. Stir in peanut butter if using.

 

Step 5: Finish & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lime juice or salt. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

Notes

• One-Pan Meal: Add uncooked rice and extra broth to make one pan coconut lime chicken and rice.
• Spice Level: Adjust chili flakes for a mild or spicy Brazilian coconut chicken recipe.
• Make It Creamier: Use full-fat coconut milk and simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Tastes even better the next day.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: One-Pan / Simmered
• Cuisine: Brazilian