Name: 30 Minute Chicken Braised in Coconut Milk with Sweet Potatoes and Rice.
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts; 1 tablespoon ground turmeric; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 3 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil; 2 medium shallots, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated; 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated; 1/4-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, use more or less to your taste; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped plus more for serving; 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks ((thicker is better)); 1-2 cups low sodium chicken broth; 2 cups canned coconut milk; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 cups fresh baby spinach; juice of 2 limes; kosher salt; 2 cups cooked rice, for serving; chili oil, for serving ((optional)); fresh Naan, for serving

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This 30 Minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice is a fusion of Thai and Indian flavors. It’s the perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s also healthy…and so delicious. Quickly made in your instant pot (slow cooker, or on the stove) in just about 30 minutes. Made using good for us ingredients like high protein chicken, antioxidant-packed spices, sweet potatoes, spinach, and creamy coconut milk. It’s cozy, creamy, a little spicy, and filled with vegetables. Finish each bowl off with steamed rice and serve with fresh naan. You’ll have the perfect healthy chicken curry that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Bonus? The leftovers are even more delicious the next day.

This is the very first post of 2020…and the very first post of a whole new decade too. I hope you all had a great NYE and enjoyed a laid back New Years’ Day. Our NYE day was low-key but very fun. We spent the afternoon playing kickball in the snow, just what everyone wanted. At night I ended up making my Indian Coconut Butter Cauliflower along with my Chicken Tikka Masala from the HBH Super Simple Cookbook. This was not what I had planned on making for NYE, but it was delicious and everyone really enjoyed it.

Today I’m feeling so excited for the new year and ready to jump right into work. Anyone else feeling the same? Something about January 2nd is always so exciting. There’s a whole fresh new year ahead…kind of like a blank slate!

Today kicks off the start of healthy January 2020. If you missed it, I rounded up all my favorite healthy recipes on Tuesday. But today I’m sharing a new family favorite. I debated sharing a salad, but in the end, this just felt right for today. This dish is so GOOD and it’s filled with healthy ingredients too.

The Inspiration…

Like the majority of HBH recipes, this was inspired by my family. I made this over Christmas break because everyone, even my brothers, all enjoy a spiced chicken curry. I wanted the flavors to be somewhat of a mix between Thai and Indian and I wanted the sauce to be extremely creamy.

Most importantly, I wanted to create a cozy, warming winter curry that was healthy, filling, and delicious. Quick and easy was a top priority as well!

I did some googling, looked through past HBH recipes, and ended up combining a few HBH recipes to create this one. The outcome? An easy chicken braised in coconut milk that’s delicious when served over rice…and with a side of naan. Of course.

Here is exactly how to make this…

For starters, this chicken braised in coconut milk can be made in the instant pot, slow cooker, or on the stove-top. I prefer using the instant pot, but either method is great. The instant pot just seems to always leave me with perfectly tender chicken that’s never dry, plus it’s so easy.

The dish starts out simply by tossing the chicken with plenty of turmeric and ground ginger which is key to creating a really flavorful chicken. Sear the chicken to give it even more flavor.

Then toss in a good amount of shallots and garlic, more ginger, sweet potatoes. and a touch of spices too. Stir this all together, then add your broth and coconut milk.

If using the instant pot, lock the lid and let it do its thing.

As this cooks, the aroma in the kitchen is truly incredible. It’s almost Indian like, but with a Thai twist.

Once done cooking, all you need to do is simmer the sauce down a little, then stir in a good amount of both spinach and lime juice.

And that’s it. Simple. Simple.

I served my chicken over steamed rice with some fresh naan for scooping up the creamy, coconutty sauce. If you want to go the extra mile, make some homemade chili oil, but swap the garlic for shallots. it’s DELICIOUS spooned over top the curry.

Alternately, you could serve the chicken on its own or over brown rice for a whole grain option. Rice noodles would also be delicious.

How are the leftovers?

I swear they taste even better the following day. The flavors have time to mend and the sauce is just more intense. This would make for a great lunch to pack up and take to work, or just enjoy the leftovers for dinner. Either way, you’ll have an amazing meal to enjoy not once, but twice…assuming you’re not serving more than four people.

I can’t tell you how much I love this recipe. This curry is SO flavorful, SO full of color, and filled with good for us ingredients. Yet it feels totally comforting with the sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and rice. The best part, well aside from all the deliciousness, is that this requires only one pot and is ready in just about 30 minutes. Perfect.

And with that, have a wonderful (healthy) start to 2020!

If you make this 30 Minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

watch the how to video: