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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 made this with tofu instead of chicken. It was delicious!
Hey Yvonne,
Awesome! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
Another great recipe!!
1. Subbed cubed butternut squash for sweet potatoes. Next time I will wait a few to put them into simmer & also double the seasoning (spices & fish suace)
2. Is there any way to thicken the sauce? It was yummy but runny
3. Even with precubed squash, took me at least 30 mins to prep
4. The lime, basil & peanuts are key!
Hey Corey,
Awesome! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! This is not meant to be a thick sauce:) Sorry it took you longer than expected. xxTieghan
Would definitely add red curry paste to the veggies while sautéing next time for a little more flavor and heat. Otherwise it was really good!
Thanks so much for trying the recipe Piper!
Didn’t like the recipe. Won’t be making again.
Hi Anaya,
So sorry to hear this, was there anything I could help with? xTieghan
Really delicious and perfect on a cold night. The ginger and turmeric taste so healing alongside the creamy coconut milk. It did take me longer to prep everything, but I am still a bit of a newbie in the kitchen. We served over rice and I added about a teaspoon of arrowroot starch to thicken it up just a touch so it wasn’t as soupy.
Hi there,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
This was so good. The flavours are quite complex and really delicious. I will definitely put this on repeat this winter! Thanks for a delicious recipe!
Hi Cori,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
I made this a few nights ago and will be making it again this week! It was the bomb, it came together so quickly and I sneaked the leftovers!!! Loved it.
Hi Leslie,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Perrrrrrfect! If anything, wish it had a little more heat (Next time!)
Otherwise, wouldn’t change a thing.
Hi David,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Delicious!! Me and my husband both loved this recipe. Will be making again ?
This couldn’t have been any easier and delicious!
Hi Alicia,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Hi Madison,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Soooo good. Fish sauce is a MUST. Extra fish sauce! That with the flavors of the turmeric, lime, basil, cilantro – just really, really good. Another great HBH recipe!
Hi Ivy,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Another winner!
Hi Cyn,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
This turned out really well. I was a tiny bit skeptical about the turmeric, but when everything was mixed together it was terrific.
Hi Candy,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
This was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and it was just perfect. Next time I will make it for guests. It’s that good!
Hey there,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
Added a bag and a half of frozen chopped kale and increased the cumin by 25%….delicious!
Also, if you are carb conscious but can’t pass up on the naan (a must here), this is delicious over riced cauliflower or riced cauliflower/broccoli.
Hi Helen,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT
This is amazing, just as written, perfectly perfect!!
Hi Molly,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xxT