Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe (2024)

Home » Ingredients » Chicken » Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe

posted by Amy Johnsonon January 2, 2019 (updated Sep 14, 2021) 123 comments »

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

This quick and easyCoconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe has become part of our regular weekly menu rotation.

Say goodbye to bland, dry chicken with this flavorful Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe. It’s so easy too. Including prep and cook time, this recipe can be ready in less than 40 minutes, so it’s the perfect weeknight main dish. Easily prep the night or morning before then pop it into a preheated oven for only 30 minutes. Serve with a simple side salad and/or easy Quick Baked Potatoes(which also cooks in no time) for a complete and most satisfying meal.

Pretty much on a weekly basis we roast or grill a whole bone-in chicken that’s been cut into pieces. Not only is it a quick and versatile dish, but it’s economical too. Plus, I’ve found that bone-in chicken is more flavorful and tender than many of the boneless portions. Being able to choose the size chicken is a perk too. We always look for a smaller bird. And when possible, one that hasn’t been pumped full of junk. They tend to be more flavorful and not as tough. So many times we have found chicken to be just plain bad. No matter how we cook it. So putting time into purchasing a good bird to begin with is worth the time. Otherwise, I’d rather have a salad and baked potato and call it a night.

You may find this Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe a part of your regular repertoire. I know we have. The subtle flavors of ginger, garlic and lime mingled with the slight richness added by the coconut milk result in wonderfulness on the plate. Make sure to use the sauce from the pan to drizzle over the chicken OR as an addition to that baked potato. Oh yeah, yum is right!

A few notes for Coconut Milk Baked Chicken:

  • Let’s talk bird. A whole bone-in chicken, cut up is perfect for this, but all drumsticks, thighs or leg-quarters are great too. Leave the skin on for more flavor while roasting and remove before eating.
  • If time permits, marinate the chicken in the coconut milk mixture up to a whole day ahead, refrigerated in a zip-top plastic bag.
  • Before measuring the coconut milk, make sure it is mixed well, as it tends to separate in the can.

Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe

Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe (5)

Coconut Milk Baked Chicken

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This quick and easy recipehas quickly become part of our regular weekly menu rotation.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons canned coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or other citrus on hand)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 pound whole bone-in chicken (skin on), cut up

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450-degrees F.
  2. Whisk together all ingredients (except chicken) until well combined. Toss chicken in mixture until coated. Arrange in oven-proof skillet or dutch oven.
  3. Bake uncovered 30 minutes, or until chicken is done.

Notes

  • If time permits, marinate the chicken in the coconut milk mixture up to a whole day ahead, refrigerated in a zip-top plastic bag.
  • Before measuring the coconut milk, make sure it is mixed well, as it will tend to separate in the can.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Originally published February 24, 2014.

Related Posts:

Buttermilk Chicken Recipe
Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Chicken Main Dishes

originally published on January 2, 2019 (last updated Sep 14, 2021)

123 commentsLeave a comment »

« Previous PostPeanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

Next Post »Sauteed Mushroom with Cheesy Polenta Recipe

Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe (9)

ABOUT AMY

What began as a place for me to explore and share about my random hobbies and interests, has morphed into mostly sharing recipes — essentially a living, breathing, growing cookbook that is my absolute pleasure to share with you. The recipes here are simple, easy to prepare and nourishing for body and soul. Read more...

Get the Latest!

subscribe now and get new posts delivered via email:

Leave a Reply

123 comments on “Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe”

  1. CandiceReply

    My husband is a strictly boneless, skinless Chicken breast person, currently have 4 breasts marinating in the bag to try tomorrow hope it turns out as good as it looks!

  2. TerriReply

    So good! I substituted coconut sugar for the brown and used cubed chicken breast. Reduced the cooking time to compensate so the chicken wouldn’t be dry. Used it as filling for a sweet potato and topped with asparagus tips and remaining sauce. Delicious, healthy, quick and easy! Thanks for the recipe!

  3. MollyReply

    Cooked this tonight with chicken thighs, it was delicious! I let it marinade overnight. Instead of just throwing it in the oven, I crisped up the chicken skin in my cast iron on the stove before putting it in the oven. The sugars in the marinade lend themselves to a really nice caramelization. Served it with a pumpkin coconut milk curry soup and rice. Will definitely be making this again! Thanks for sharing!

  4. JoefineReply

    I never thought I would find a good recipe that made it so easy! Thank you so much!

  5. JessReply

    I cook with coconut milk occasionally – usually in a coconut curry that I cook on the stove.

    Why is the temp so high? I baked this recipe in a normal pyrex dish since I don’t have cast iron. I found that this temperature caused the coconut milk to curdle, making for a really ugly dish. Should I be adjusting the temperature/time for my pan?

  6. Bailey AndersonReply

    Really looks delicious. I will not hesitate to try this one. I will also make this for my friends in chapel st restaurants. I’m sure they gonna love this.

  7. ludaReply

    I love this recipe. Simple but stunning.

  8. Amber TReply

    I know this post is fairly old, but I do not normally comment. This is amazing. I doubled sauce for 5 bon in thighs and served with coconut rice and steamed broccoli. Huge hit in this house. Delicious. Thank you.

  9. GiniReply

    Made this tonight and the flavor is awesome! Thanks for sharing! 5 stars

Leave a comment »

Coconut Milk Baked Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you bake with coconut milk? ›

Coconut milk is an excellent non-dairy alternative when baking your favorite cookies, cakes, and muffins, and it can be used in a 1:1 ratio when substituting.

Can I substitute coconut milk for milk in baking? ›

The coconut milk substitution ratio is a no-brainer

The substitution ratio is a simple 1:1, reports Real Simple. This means that if a recipe calls for 1 cup of dairy milk, you'll use 1 cup of coconut milk instead.

Why do you soak chicken in milk before baking? ›

A milk marinade produces a super tender chicken, which melts in the mouth because milk contains lactic acid, which breaks down muscle fibers in the meat. Additionally, the best milky marinade for chicken is one that uses a fermented milk product, such as buttermilk or yogurt.

Does coconut milk soften meat? ›

Adding coconut milk to marinades helps tenderizes meat and infuses it with flavor. Once your protein has had time to soak up the flavor, grill, roast, or sear as you would normally. Combine coconut milk with peanuts to make the very popular Thai dipping sauce, satay.

When not to use coconut milk? ›

For example, if consuming products that are low in fat is a priority, coconut milk may not be your best choice due to its high fat content, which contributes most of the calories of coconut milk. In addition, regarding protein content, cow's milk and soy milk have more protein than coconut milk and almond milk.

How does coconut milk affect baking? ›

You can use coconut milk in cake mix the same way you'd use regular milk. The resulting cake will have a light coconut flavor, though. So, if you're making a cake with a flavor that would clash with the coconut, it is not a good idea to substitute coconut milk for milk in that recipe or with that mix.

Why is coconut milk not a good dairy substitute? ›

Coconut milk contains high levels of calories and fats. Combining a high intake of coconut milk with a carbohydrate-rich diet can result in weight gain. Replacing dairy milk with coconut milk may mean that a person consumes less calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin A.

Is coconut milk better for baking? ›

But it is the most ideal option when it comes to cooking and baking. Coconut milk is a rich plant-based milk that makes a great substitute for dairy milk and is also loaded with added benefits. It has the right kind of fats and very little sugar. This makes it the perfect replacement for milk in baking and cooking.

What kind of coconut milk is used for baking? ›

However, baking is usually a temperamental process, so there are a few notable nuances when it comes to subbing with coconut milk. If your recipe calls for whole milk or heavy cream, it's best to replace it with full-fat canned coconut milk and not the reduced fat variety, in order to emulate the same texture.

Do you rinse chicken after soaking in milk? ›

It's not necessary to rinse the chicken after marinating it in milk. Simply pat the chicken dry with paper towels before cooking it. This will help to ensure that the milk and any added flavors from the marinade are absorbed into the chicken during the cooking process.

How long can I marinate chicken in milk? ›

Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 4-24 hours. Remove chicken from marinade and cook on greased grill turning occasionally until done (time varies with cut of chicken used).

What does milk do to chicken breast? ›

The calcium in the milk is thought to jump-start a natural enzyme in the chicken, which acts as the tenderizer. Cooking the chicken in the liquid further infuses it with moisture and flavor.

What are the side effects of coconut milk? ›

In that case, a sudden addition of coconut milk to your diet might cause constipation. In addition, drinking or having excess coconut milk may lead to severe gas formation and diarrhoea. Fasting and then binging on coconut milk can also cause stomach problems. It will lead to abdominal pain and stomach cramps.

What does coconut milk do to meat? ›

Coconut milk makes a fantastic marinade, tenderising and infusing the chicken with rich flavour. The added bonus is that the marinade makes a fabulous sauce!

Does coconut milk raise cholesterol? ›

Lauric acid, the main fatty acid in coconut fat, may raise “bad” LDL cholesterol by decreasing the activity of the receptors that clear LDL from your blood ( 20 ). Two studies on similar populations suggest that the cholesterol response to lauric acid may vary by individual.

Is coconut milk a good substitute for baking? ›

Coconut milk is a popular substitute for dairy, offering a plant-based, lactose and milk protein-free alternative. It's also a quintessential ingredient for beverages, baked goods, desserts and more.

Can you substitute coconut milk for cream in baking? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

What happens to coconut milk when heated? ›

Heating results in protein denaturation in coconut milk. This protein denaturation will change the properties and viscosity of the coconut milk if it is heated at 80°C or higher.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5892

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.