Coconut Mango Chicken is a deliciously tropical dish that features juicy baked chicken soaked in a rich coconut mango marinade. The marinade is made from coconut milk, fresh mango, and a hint of cayenne for heat, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce. The chicken is marinated overnight, baked until golden and tender, and then drizzled with the cooked marinade, making this dish a perfect main course to serve with rice or noodles.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Marinade/Sauce:

  • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk (full-fat or light)

  • 1/2 cup fresh mango, roughly chopped

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon honey, divided

• For the Chicken:

  • 1 (approximately 3½-pound) whole cut-up chicken, bone-in, skin-on or off

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Make the Marinade: In a blender, combine coconut milk, mango, and cayenne pepper. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, then stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the baking dish and coat them with the marinade. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or ideally overnight.

3. Preheat the Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

4. Bake the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade for later). Place the chicken pieces on the sheet pan, ensuring they are spaced a couple of inches apart. Season generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over the chicken.

5. Cooking the Chicken: Bake for about 15-25 minutes for smaller pieces (wings, legs, and thighs), or 30-35 minutes for breasts. If the chicken isn’t golden, broil it for 30 seconds.

6. Make the Sauce: While the chicken bakes, transfer the remaining marinade to a saucepan. Add the remaining teaspoon of honey and a pinch of cayenne. Bring to a boil for 30 seconds, then simmer for 10 minutes.

7. Serve: Drizzle the sauce over the baked chicken and garnish with cilantro. Serve with coconut rice or noodles.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 567 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 7 g

• Protein: 36 g

• Fat: 43 g

• Saturated Fat: 10 g

• Cholesterol: 145 mg

• Sodium: 136 mg

• Potassium: 404 mg

• Fiber: 0.4 g

• Sugar: 7 g

• Vitamin A: 545 IU

• Vitamin C: 11 mg

• Calcium: 24 mg

• Iron: 2 mg

A Flavorful Marinade: The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Heat

The marinade for this dish is where the magic happens. Made from coconut milk, fresh mango, cayenne pepper, olive oil, and honey, this marinade strikes the perfect balance between creamy, sweet, and spicy. The coconut milk brings richness and a subtle sweetness, while the fresh mango adds a fruity depth that pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients. The cayenne pepper adds a touch of heat, which contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the mango and honey.

The honey in the marinade not only sweetens the sauce but also helps create a beautiful caramelization on the chicken during baking. The olive oil provides moisture and helps the chicken stay tender and juicy. This marinade is more than just a flavor enhancer—it’s a key component in creating a dish that is bursting with tropical flavors.

Marinating the Chicken: Deep Flavors in Every Bite

The chicken is marinated in this rich coconut mango sauce for a minimum of 6 hours, but ideally, it should sit overnight. This allows the chicken to absorb the marinade’s flavors and ensures that every bite is full of sweetness, heat, and the creamy coconut essence. The longer the chicken marinates, the more the flavors penetrate the meat, making the final result tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor.

It’s important to coat the chicken pieces thoroughly with the marinade and then cover the dish tightly to prevent the sauce from evaporating. Once marinated, the chicken is ready to be baked, and the remaining marinade will be used to make a sauce that will finish the dish with even more layers of flavor.

Baking the Chicken: Golden and Tender Perfection

Once marinated, the chicken is ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure a high heat that will create a crisp, golden exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. The chicken pieces are placed on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, which helps ensure that they don’t stick and makes cleanup easier. The remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil are drizzled over the chicken to help with browning and to add extra flavor.

The chicken pieces are baked for different times depending on their size. Smaller pieces such as wings, legs, and thighs take about 15-25 minutes, while larger breasts require 30-35 minutes. If the chicken isn’t as golden as desired, you can broil it for 30 seconds to a minute for a crispier finish. The result is perfectly cooked chicken with a golden, slightly caramelized exterior and a tender, juicy interior.

The Sauce: The Finishing Touch

While the chicken is baking, the remaining marinade is simmered to create a flavorful sauce. The sauce is made by transferring the reserved marinade to a saucepan, adding a little honey and cayenne, and then bringing it to a boil. This process helps intensify the flavors and creates a thick, rich sauce that will complement the chicken perfectly.

The sauce is simmered for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. This sauce is then drizzled over the baked chicken, adding a glossy, flavorful finish that enhances the tropical theme of the dish. The sweetness from the honey and the subtle heat from the cayenne pepper bring the perfect balance to the coconut mango chicken, making each bite even more flavorful than the last.

Serving Suggestions: Pairing with Coconut Rice or Noodles

Coconut Mango Chicken is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides. It is especially delicious when served with coconut rice, which complements the tropical flavors of the chicken. The creamy coconut rice adds a mild sweetness that balances the savory and slightly spicy flavors of the chicken.

Alternatively, you can serve the chicken with noodles for a satisfying and hearty meal. A light noodle dish with a simple garlic and vegetable stir-fry would be a great complement to the rich and flavorful chicken.

For a garnish, fresh cilantro sprigs can be added, adding a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the dish.

Nutritional Value of Coconut Mango Chicken

Each serving of Coconut Mango Chicken provides a hearty 567 calories, making it a filling main course. With 36 grams of protein, it’s a great option for those looking to fuel their day with a protein-packed meal. The dish is also rich in healthy fats, with 43 grams of fat, primarily from the olive oil and coconut milk. While this may seem like a lot of fat, much of it comes from healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.

The sugar content in this dish is 7 grams, most of which comes from the honey and the natural sugars in the mango. While it’s slightly sweet, the dish doesn’t feel overly sugary. The coconut mango chicken also provides 11 milligrams of vitamin C and 545 IU of vitamin A, both of which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system and promoting skin health.

With a bit of sodium (136 mg) and a small amount of fiber (0.4 g), the dish remains balanced and isn’t overly salty. The iron (2 mg) and calcium (24 mg) content provide additional benefits, contributing to overall bone health and the production of red blood cells.

Conclusion

Coconut Mango Chicken is a wonderfully tropical and flavorful dish that combines the creamy richness of coconut milk and mango with the heat of cayenne pepper, creating a perfectly balanced meal. The chicken is marinated to absorb all the delicious flavors, baked to tender perfection, and then drizzled with a luscious coconut mango sauce. Whether served with coconut rice, noodles, or your favorite side, this dish is a satisfying and exotic addition to your culinary repertoire. With its tropical flavors and vibrant colors, Coconut Mango Chicken is perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to serve to guests.