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This Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken with Sweet Potatoes is a fusion of Thai flavors. It’s the perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s full of color and flavor. Made with chicken breasts or thighs, spices, sweet potatoes, bell peppers and creamy coconut milk. It’s cozy, creamy, just perfectly spicy, and filled with vegetables. Finish each bowl off with steamed rice, herbs, and plenty of lime.
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And here we are, the first recipe of the new year. I’m not sure I’m ready for another full year of recipes (when you start to think about it…it’s a lot of recipe). But ready or not I’m excited, especially for the recipes I already know I have coming.
I wasn’t sure what to post today, I had some options, but this ended up feeling like a good fit. It’s healthy, but cozy. And since we’re enjoying below freezing temps here, I decided that this is what I’d want to be making today.
Plus, I love the colors, the flavors, and the fact this is pretty simple to make.
The details – start with seasoning the chicken
The spice mix on the chicken is key to the flavor. It’s a mix of turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. Toss the chicken with the spices. Then, if you can, let the chicken sit in the spices to take on ever more flavor. You don’t have to do this, but an overnight hang in the fridge does add a little more flavor to the dish.
That’s really the only “prep” step.
Next, sear the chicken in a big dutch oven style pot and get it a little crispy. Then pull the chicken out and in goes everything else. Sauté the vegetables, bell peppers, shallots, and garlic, and add chili flakes to taste. Then toss in the sweet potato and pour over the coconut milk.
I love adding a couple tablespoons of fish sauce too. I highly recommend this, but you can use soy sauce as well.
Braising
When everything is in, just cover the pot and let the chicken slowly cook in the coconut milk. It doesn’t take too long, about 25 minutes or so for thighs, shorter if you’re using breasts.
The the coconut milk is obviously creamy and flavorful. But it also prevents the chicken from drying out and creates super tender pieces of chicken.
Since this is such a saucy dish, I love to make a big pot of steamed rice and serve the chicken over the rice. Then top the chicken with lots of Thai basil, lime juice, and salty peanuts for a nice crunch…so delicious!
This one is simple, healthy, and delicious. It’s the perfect (non-boring) recipe to really kick off the new year!! Oh and lastly, while it’s not traditional to Thai cooking, a side of fresh, warm naan is especially delicious with this creamy curry sauce.
Looking for other healthy dinner recipes? Here are my favorites:
30 Minute Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken and Noodles
Healthier Italian Wedding Soup with Lemon and Garlic
25 Minute Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles
Lastly, if you make this Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken, 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!
Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 2 medium shallots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, or more
- 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes
- 2 cans (14 ounce) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce, (or soy sauce)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- steamed rice, for serving
- 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves
- 2 limes
- roasted peanuts
Instructions
- 1. Toss the chicken with the turmeric, ginger, cumin, pepper, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon oil. Let sit 5 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes. Pull the chicken out of the pan. 3. To the pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, the peppers, shallots, garlic, and chili flakes, cook 3 minutes, then toss in the sweet potatoes. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the coconut milk and fish sauce. Slide the chicken and any juices on the plate into the milk. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt.4. Divide rice between bowls, then spoon the chicken and sauce over the rice. Top with basil, peanuts, and lime juice.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I have Thai Basil growing in abundance in my garden. Do you think it would work to omit the cilantro, and use extra basil incorporated in the liquids, not just on top.? I’m making this tomorrow. Sounds delicious… can hardly wait! Or do you think cilantro really makes it?
Hey Jane,
Sure, Thai Basil would be so good! Let me know how the recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xT
Made this for dinner tonight and it was just delicious. So flavorful! A perfect rainy day dinner. Thanks 🙂
Hey Brittany,
I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Hey! Questions, can I use Chicken drumsticks for this recipe by chance? Love all your stuff! Thank you!!
Hey Brittany,
You could, it would work, but I would probably want a boneless chicken in this dish:) Let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
My family loved this meal. Only changed two things. Used cilantro as topping only because my son doesn’t like it. Used 1 can of coconut milk and about 3/4 can of oat milk. Would have been richer with the two cans of coconut milk, but was very good with oat milk.
Hi Deborah,
Perfect! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a hit! xxT
Delicious and light but still hearty and comforting! So easy too, will definitely make this again. Looking forward to eating the leftovers, as I expect it to be even more flavorful after sitting in the fridge for an evening.
Hi Christina,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your review, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xx
Can’t wait to try this! I plan on using soy sauce instead of fish sauce. Do you think the addition of a little toasted sesame oil would work well for some extra flavor too?
Hey Christina,
Sure, I think that would be great! Please let me know how the recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
Planning to make this next week! But one more question (: Could I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
Totally:)
Could I make this in a crock pot?
Hi Caroline,
Totally! I would cook on low for 6-8 hours! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you:) xT
For people who need to watch carbs… I did all the math and it should be about 14 grams of carbs per serving without the rice.
Thanks for sharing:)
This recipe reminds be of the chicken sweet potato recipe you have — which means my bf will absolutely love it!
Loved it and always killing it!
Thanks so much Gaby!! I hope you both love the dish:) xTieghan
Made this the other night for the two of us and we really enjoyed, but even more so for leftovers! This is definitely one that gets better with time. I only used 1 can of coconut milk so it was a thicker curry, but we liked it this way so I’d make it with only one can again. Will be a repeater 🙂
Hey Mallory,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
This was delicious!! I added fresh ginger with the garlic, shallots etc. as well as some left over chickpeas. I also sauteed some mushrooms before and added them in with the chicken. No need for rice! Will definitely make it again.
Hey Rebecca,
Awesome!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for your comment and sharing your feedback! xxT
This was seriously good. While I am disappointed mine didn’t look quite as lovely as yours, I am not disappointed in the flavor. My broth didn’t get the depth of color like I see in your pictures. But I’ll definitely make it again!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xx
This was excellent. Flavors so good. My stew was a bit soupy. Is it better to keep the cover off the Dutch oven so the liquid can cook down?
Hi Rita,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! This is not meant to have a thick sauce, it should be more like a broth:) xxT
My whole family loves this recipe — including my three young kids. Bravo!
Hey Alexis,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Making this for the 4th time. As to the spices and oil…I make a paste and then massage it into the chicken with my GLOVED hands before letting the chicken rest in the fridge for about an hour.
Hey Lannie,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan