published Sep 14, 2022 Sometimes when I’m in a cooking rut, I like to get inspired by my favorite chefs. I’ve been following Jamie Oliver for as long as I can remember. I love heading to his site when I’m feeling stuck. I recently rediscovered his recipe for chicken in milk and decided to put my own twist on it! Switching up regular milk for coconut is a game changer. I’m no stranger to cooking with coconut milk. Be sure to check out this recipe for Malaysian braised beef short ribs if you prefer red meat. This Thai yellow shrimp curry is another favorite, as is this vegetarian-friendly dal makhani recipe. As you can see, coconut milk is an ingredient that I never shy away from. Back to the recipe at hand: roasted coconut milk chicken. It’s very easy to throw together, and while it does take a bit of time to roast — it’s totally worth it! I like to serve mine with rice, vegetables, salad, and some homemade bread (to soak up that amazing sauce). It also makes for some really delicious leftovers. Course: Main DishRecipe Difficulty: Easy 🥄Description: Whether you make oven roasted or Instant Pot whole chicken, the meat will be incredibly tender and juicy. If that doesn’t do the trick, the lemongrass, Thai basil and coconut milk in the dish will have you craving a second helping!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Chicken – Go for a whole bone-in chicken for this roasted chicken recipe. If you have boneless, drumsticks, or even wings in the freezer, you can use the same ingredients, but keep in mind the cooking time will be a lot different. Something to be aware of!Coconut Milk – You will need the full-fat varieties that come in a can for the correct amount of creaminess.Lemongrass – If you can’t find any fresh lemongrass, use 2 tablespoons of lemongrass paste. Look for it in the produce section of your local supermarket.Lemon Zest – Perfect when paired with lemongrass! The citrus flavors work wonderfully with coconut milk.Sage – I also love the way that sage complements the citrus and coconut in this recipe. The combination is just amazing.Cinnamon – Same goes for cinnamon! This slightly spicy seasoning adds to the richness of the overall flavor profile.Garlic – I can’t forget my favorite savory dish add-on: a healthy helping of garlic. You’ll need 12 cloves!Salt & Pepper – Use this to season the chicken before browning it!Olive Oil – You’ll need to use this ingredient to brown the chicken before you roast it.
Recipe Video
To see this recipe in action, watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
HOW TO MAKE ROASTED COCONUT MILK CHICKEN
Notes for Instant Pot Whole Chicken
The trivet holds the chicken above the coconut milk to prevent it from becoming soggy. We’re not braising the meat- we want Thai roasted chicken. If your pressure cooker is an Instant Pot brand, a trivet should have been in the box. Otherwise, you should be able to find one at any store that sells electric pressure cookers. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to get crispy golden skin in the Instant Pot, but it IS possible under an oven broiler! Using the trivet handles, lift the whole chicken out of the Instant Pot and transfer it onto a baking sheet lined with foil. Then, place it under the oven broiler for 2-4 minutes. NOTE:Use caution when broiling, because food can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
Can I Make Roasted Coconut Milk Chicken In The Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Don’t miss my Instant Pot instructions on the recipe card below. It should take no more than an hour to make, meaning you’ll save a lot of time if you do have an IP.
Does Coconut Milk Tenderize Chicken?
Coconut milk does tenderize chicken, making it a great ingredient to use in roasting, baking, or even as the base of a marinade. You’ll end up with tender and juicy results every time! Plus, roasted coconut milk chicken is filled with wonderful flavor from the addition of the milk and the other seasonings and spices.
What Does Coconut Chicken Taste Like?
My roasted coconut milk chicken boasts an Asian-inspired flavor thanks to the combination of several different flavors: rich coconut milk, citrusy lemongrass, spicy cinnamon, and earthy and peppery sage. The chicken is tender and juicy thanks to the coconut milk and the slow-roasted cooking method! Yum! The fundamental flavors of Thai cuisine The next time you sit down for a taste of Thai, think about which of these flavors are in the dish.
SPICY – This typically comes in the form of Asian hot sauces and spicy curries. The combination of spicy and sweet is featured in dishes like sweet and spicy shrimp pizza.SWEET – Dishes like Thai mango salad and ingredients like coconut milk allow us to experience the sweetness.SALTY – There’s a bit of fish sauce for extra saltiness in fried pork belly sliders, and that saltiness is found in many other dishes too.SOUR – The sour flavor of tamarind and lime is sure to make you pucker.BITTER – Thai cuisine incorporates fresh leaves of plants, and many of them add bitternessUMAMI – Soy, mushrooms, and other earthy umami flavored ingredients are used often to help balance the other flavors in the dish.
