Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Brazilian chicken curry infused with a blend of spices, fresh herbs, and a rich sauce that delivers a satisfying depth of flavor. This brazilian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs skin on bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Season 1.75 lbs bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add chicken skin side down and sear for 6 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook another 4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add 1 diced yellow onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup coconut milk, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Add 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Spiced Brazilian Curry Chicken with Fresh Herbs gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes