Sunny Coconut Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe for Happy Meals

Tropical flavors dance across your plate with this delectable coconut chicken rice bowl that promises a culinary adventure.

Tender chicken simmers in creamy coconut milk, infusing each bite with rich, aromatic goodness.

The rice serves as a perfect canvas for bold and vibrant ingredients.

Colorful vegetables add crunch and brightness to this satisfying meal.

Fresh herbs sprinkle a final touch of excitement over the bowl enticing layers.

Spices whisper hints of exotic destinations with every forkful.

Prepare to transport your taste buds to a delightful flavor journey that will leave you craving more.

Sweet-Savory Combo in Coconut Chicken Bowls

• Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal culinary skills needed. This recipe turns simple ingredients into a flavor-packed meal that looks and tastes impressive. The one-skillet method means less cleanup and more time enjoying your delicious creation.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for tofu, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to suit personal preferences. It's a versatile dish that welcomes creativity and personal touch.
• Packed with aromatic spices, creamy coconut milk, and vibrant herbs, this recipe delivers a multi-layered taste experience that tickles your taste buds and fills your kitchen with incredible scents.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Rice Bowls

• Chicken Breast: A lean and tender meat that absorbs the rich flavors of the spices and sauce.

• Kosher Salt, Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano: A blend of spices that adds depth and complexity to the chicken's flavor profile.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: These ingredients create a fragrant base that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base that helps deglaze the pan and build layers of flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Coconut Milk: Creates a creamy, luxurious sauce with a subtle tropical sweetness.

• Fresh Cilantro: Adds a bright, fresh finish and a pop of color to the dish.

• Jasmine Rice: A fragrant, soft rice that serves as the perfect base for the coconut chicken.

• Cooking Oil: Helps prevent sticking and facilitates even cooking of the chicken and aromatics.

Directions for Coconut Chicken and Rice

Step 1: Dress the Chicken

Sprinkle diced chicken breast with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and dried oregano.

Massage the spices into the chicken, ensuring every piece gets a flavorful coating that promises a taste explosion.

Step 2: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Heat a skillet on high, giving it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

The pan should be sizzling hot and ready for action.

Step 3: Create Golden Perfection

Spread seasoned chicken across the hot skillet.

Let it dance and sear for 3 to 5 minutes, developing a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Once perfectly colored, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Wake Up the Aromatics

Reduce heat and add a touch more oil to the skillet.

• Minced onion
• Crushed garlic
• Grated ginger

Let them sizzle and release their magical fragrance for about a minute.

Step 5: Unlock Hidden Flavors

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up all the delicious crusty bits from the bottom.

Let it simmer briefly, transforming ordinary liquid into a flavor-packed base.

Step 6: Craft the Creamy Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Coconut milk
• Extra salt

Allow the mixture to simmer gently, thickening into a luxurious sauce that screams comfort.

Step 7: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return the golden chicken to the bubbling sauce, including any collected juices.

Simmer on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, letting the chicken absorb every drop of deliciousness.

Step 8: Plate with Passion

Nestle the saucy chicken over jasmine rice.

Shower with fresh cilantro and add an extra drizzle of coconut milk.

Your culinary masterpiece is ready to devour!

Tips for Bold Flavor in Chicken Bowls

• Let chicken marinate in spices for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of taste and tenderness.
• Use medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning, ensuring juicy meat and perfect caramelization.
• Simmer sauce slowly to allow natural thickening, creating a rich and creamy texture that clings beautifully to chicken.
• Choose fresh, high-quality coconut milk and ripe tomato paste for a more authentic and vibrant flavor profile.
• Adjust spice intensity by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for those who enjoy a spicier kick to the dish.

How to Store and Reheat Coconut Chicken Bowls

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring chicken remains fresh and safe to consume later.
• Transfer cooled chicken rice bowl to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Prevent freezer burn by removing excess air from the container.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Warm chicken and sauce in skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of chicken broth or coconut milk to restore original creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent breaking down chicken texture. Heat until thoroughly warmed.

Side Ideas for Coconut Chicken Bowls

• Pair with Tropical White Wine: Crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the coconut and chicken, cutting through the creamy sauce with its bright, zesty notes and herbal undertones.
• Enhance with Citrus Cocktail: Craft a refreshing pineapple-ginger mojito that mirrors the recipe's tropical flavors, bringing out the ginger and coconut while adding a playful, tangy dimension to the meal.
• Match with Cooling Side Salad: Create a cucumber-mint salad dressed in light lime vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy chicken sauce, providing a fresh and crisp counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Recommend Coconut Beer Pairing: Select a Hawaiian-style wheat beer with subtle coconut hints that harmonizes with the dish's tropical profile, offering a light, smooth accompaniment that doesn't overpower the delicate chicken flavors.

Bowl Variations to Explore

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace tomato paste with pureed roasted red peppers for a similar depth of flavor while keeping the dish gluten-free and maintaining the creamy texture.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap chicken with extra-firm tofu or chickpeas, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Marinate the protein in similar spices before cooking to ensure rich flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute jasmine rice with cauliflower rice, keeping the coconut sauce and protein intact. This modification reduces carbohydrates while preserving the dish's essential taste and nutritional balance.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños during the aromatics stage to create a fiery kick. Incorporate sriracha sauce into the coconut milk mixture for an extra layer of heat and complexity.

FAQs

• What type of rice works best for this recipe?

Jasmine rice is recommended for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture that complements the coconut chicken perfectly. If you don’t have jasmine rice, basmati or long-grain white rice can be good alternatives.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They’re typically more flavorful and stay juicier than chicken breast. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs might take a few minutes longer to cook through.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe as written is not spicy. It uses smoked paprika and herbs for flavor without heat. If you want to add some kick, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce when creating the sauce.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your chicken broth and any additional seasonings are certified gluten-free. Double-check ingredient labels to confirm no hidden gluten-containing ingredients are used.

Coconut Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic unfolds with this coconut chicken rice bowl, blending tropical flavors and comforting textures. Creamy coconut sauce, tender chicken, and fragrant rice create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) diced chicken breast

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or dried herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

Aromatic Vegetables and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion (minced)
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1.25 cups (296 milliliters) canned light coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice or basmati
• fresh cilantro
• additional coconut milk (optional for topping)

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Instructions

1. Infuse diced chicken breast with a robust blend of kosher salt, smoked paprika, and dried oregano, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the aromatic spice mixture.
2. Heat a skillet over high temperature, lightly coating with cooking spray to prevent sticking and prepare for optimal chicken browning.
3. Distribute seasoned chicken evenly across the hot skillet, allowing 3-5 minutes to develop a golden-brown exterior. Once achieved, transfer chicken to a separate plate.
4. Reduce skillet heat and introduce minced onion, crushed garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for approximately 1 minute, releasing their intense fragrant notes.
5. Deglaze the pan by pouring chicken broth, meticulously scraping accumulated flavor residue from the skillet bottom. Simmer briefly to concentrate the underlying taste profile.
6. Incorporate tomato paste and coconut milk into the skillet, seasoning with additional salt. Allow the mixture to gently simmer and gradually thicken into a luxurious sauce.
7. Reintroduce browned chicken to the simmering sauce, including any accumulated juices. Maintain medium heat for 3-4 minutes, ensuring chicken absorbs the rich, creamy liquid.
8. Plate the sauced chicken atop fluffy jasmine rice, garnishing with fresh cilantro for vibrant color and herbaceous complexity. Optional: drizzle extra coconut milk for enhanced richness.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the same rich, creamy flavor profile.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and limiting added salt during seasoning stages.
• Enhance spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for those craving extra heat in the dish.
• Make the recipe gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients like chicken broth and tomato paste are certified gluten-free products.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 546
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 415 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 96 mg