Description
Coconut chicken rice bowl brings tropical flavors from Southeast Asian cuisine together in one delightful meal. Creamy coconut sauce, tender chicken, and fragrant rice create a balanced, satisfying experience you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) coconut milk
- 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
- 1 ½ cups (300g) jasmine rice
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) water
- 2 tbsps soy sauce (low sodium)
- 2 tbsps lime juice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup (150g) shredded carrots
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup (30g) toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate: Combine coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Submerge chicken pieces, allowing flavors to infuse for 30-120 minutes.
- Prepare Rice: Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a saucepan, mix rice with coconut milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Cook Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade (reserve liquid). Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken until golden brown, ensuring internal temperature reaches food-safe levels. For added depth, deglaze pan with reserved marinade.
- Assemble Bowl: Layer coconut rice as a base, artfully arrange sliced chicken on top. Garnish with vibrant bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, and creamy avocado for a textural and colorful presentation.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro and toasted coconut flakes over the bowl. Accompany with lime wedges to brighten the dish’s complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Allow chicken to absorb flavors between 30-120 minutes, with longer marination delivering deeper taste complexity.
- Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Wash rice grains until water runs clear to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separate rice texture.
- Control Cooking Temperature: Sear chicken on medium-high heat to achieve golden caramelization without burning, maintaining juicy interior.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Replace chicken with tofu for vegetarian version, use cauliflower rice for low-carb option, or swap coconut milk with dairy alternatives for lactose-sensitive individuals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg