Ever since my nearly three month-long stint of dining out for every meal, I seem to have forgotten how this little thing called cooking works. So while I have been sticking to my Kick the Habit (which officially begins TODAY!) of eating at home as much as possible, I’ve found that I keep eating the same things over. And over. And over.
So in an attempt to regain my kitchen mojo, last night I whipped up a pretty rockin’ new dish…but also one simple enough that cooks and non-cooks alike will appreciate.
The secret ingredient?
This recipe/cooking method is actually one I got from my friend Rhema, who baked chicken in a mixture of coconut milk and curry paste a few months ago, and it was out of this world good. I had forgotten that I wanted to try recreating the dish until I stumbled upon coconut milk in the store a few days ago, and…well, let’s just say I don’t think I’ll ever George-Foreman chicken again.
I kept things even more simple and just used:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 small (5.41 oz) can of coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions: use scissors to cut chicken breast into strips and place in a casserole bowl. Add coconut milk and salt and stir to make sure all of the chicken strips are coated. Bake for 20-25 minutes on 350 degrees. Yields 2 servings.
Does it get any easier?
The flavor of the coconut is pretty mild (almost unnoticeable), but it makes the chicken super tender and juicy. Serve it atop rice and your favorite veggies, and make sure to drizzle the leftover coconut sauce over the entire dish.
So, I may not be the next Julia Child, and I may never regain my full kitchen-creativity from days of long ago…
…but, baby steps, right? xoxo G
What’s your favorite simple dish that tastes anything but? How do you usually cook chicken?
Yummy meal! I love faux fried chicken: chicken breast dipped in eggwhites and coated with oats -> tastes so unhealthy yet totally isn’t!
That looks great!! I’m not a huge fan of chicken so I usually don’t cook it. My mom does make this one stew with it, though, that I absolutely love. It has a really rich cream sauce and broccoli served over puff pastry. It is not healthy but insanely delicious.
I love adding coconut milk to dishes, it’s so creamy and delicious
This looks delicious! I’ve never tasted coconut milk before though. Does it actually taste coconutty?
Oh that looks great! I’m a little confused though- is that can the same as the coconut milk that comes in the carton? I want to make sure I buy the right stuff
You know, I’ve wondered that as well! I’m actually not sure :/
Anyone out there know the answer to that Q?!
No, they’re different. When cooking with coconut milk, use the canned stuff. The one in cartons is just non-dairy milk.
Ahh okay, thank you!!
Hannah says
Coconut milk?
Admittedly I am hesitant. (I don’t really like coconut flavoring, you see.)
I think my favorite easy meal is vegetables with that spicy peanut sauce you can get from the grocery story. A lot of times I just use frozen vegetables and microwave them. This is also good on noodles and can be served with some sort of protein. (I am not very good about working protein into my diet.)
You can’t really taste the coconut!
Lindsay @ The Gluten-Free Baker says
I love it! That looks delicious. My favorite simple meal is pasta with edamame and parmesan. For chicken, Women’s Health Magazine has a list on their website of “50 ways to cook chicken”… and all are single servings!!
Karolina says
Oh wow- this looks AMAZING. I’m definitely saving this to try making this fall.
i love to use coconut milk to make ice cream!
my favorite way to cook chicken is in the crock pot…so tender!
ohh lala I love coconut milk! have you ever tried it in a smoothie?!? so delicious!
Well…I don’t cook chicken anymore since I’m a vegetarian but I used to do grilled chicken all the time! My favorite simple dishes are anything Italian! I love vegetable baked ziti!
My fave simple dish is grilled salmon. All you gotta do is brush it with a little coconut oil and rub in some kosher salt and peppa, and slap it on the grill! It tastes sooooo buttery and flavorful without anything added. <3
Claire says
I’ve had a can of light coconut milk in my cabinet for days, and had no idea of what to make with it. I cut up chicken thighs, and put them in a ziploc bag with the can of it. Let it hang out for a couple of hours, then threw the whole thing (all sealed up) into a pot of boiling water for ten minutes or so. Emptied out the contents, mixed with uncooked brown rice, and simmered until all absorbed.
It’s SO GOOD. Pretty much like semi-tropical? risotto. And you can’t really taste the coconut, its just delicious. Thanks girl
that. sounds. DELISH!
Flo says
There are hardly any “lite” versions of anything in the UK, let alone coconut milk!!! You lot are so lucky there seems to be “lite” everything!!!
I usually bake chicken bare then plop some pesto on last minute
yummmm
angela says
I cook this except I ad veggies just before done and serve over rice. Sometimes I ad a smidge of curry paste to kick it up a notch. One of my favorite meals