Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375° F

Step 2

Rinse chicken with water, inside and out, then pat dry with paper towels. Rub inside and out chicken with salt, white pepper slipping salt under skin where possible and rubbing some into cavities. so that it's uniformly distributed. Or you may use creole salt Like I did.

Step 3

In a small pan combine garlic, ginger, thyme, and lemon grass. Mix with about 1-2 tablespoon oil or coconut milk

Step 4

Generously baste inner cavities of chicken with lemon grass mixture, apply some of the liquid from the mixture to exterior of the chicken- then refrigerate until ready to cook.

Step 5

When ready to cook add oil to a Dutch oven (preferably with a tight fitting cover) over medium.

Step 6

Place the chicken, breast-side up, and let it brown for about 3-5 minutes, until skin is crispy Carefully flip the chicken, using a tong and crisp the other side for another 4 minutes or more per side. It usually takes me about 10-12 minutes to brown depending on chicken.

Step 7

Remove the Dutch oven

Step 8

From the heat, put the chicken on a plate, and pour off any excess fat from the chicken- leave about 2 Tablespoons.

Step 9

Add the remaining lemon grass mixture, curry powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika sauté until fragrant - about a minute. Be careful! Don’t let it burn.

Step 10

Add coconut milk and broth/water. Return chicken back to the pot. Bring to a boil.

Step 11

Finally place chicken in oven, cover and let it cook, basting occasionally with it’s own liquid until chicken is tender . About 75 -90 minutes or until internal temperature reads 165 degrees

Step 12

Carve the chicken and serve over rice with a with sauce and vegetables. Garnish with the fresh parsley