Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

March 28, 2025 by Kimberly

This bowl is a flavor-packed rollercoaster. Creamy coconut rice, juicy caramelized chicken, bright passionfruit gremolata, and that rich satay sauce. Every bite is a mix of cozy, fresh, and just the right amount of umami.

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TOTAL TIME

40 min

SERVES

2 portions

DIET

omnivore

EVERY RECIPE DESERVES

A Little Love Letter

You know when a meal just works? This is one of those. Creamy coconut rice sets the stage, topped with juicy chicken glazed in a sticky-sweet soy passionfruit sauce, then brightened with a zesty gremolata. Crunchy raw veggies bring freshness, and the whole thing gets drizzled with a rich, nutty satay sauce that ties it all together. It’s sweet, savory, spicy, creamy, and fresh all at once.

This is one of those meals that somehow tastes even better when eaten straight from the bowl, curled up on the couch. But if you want to serve it up nicely, layer the coconut rice first, then slice the glazed chicken on top. Scatter over the crunchy veggies, drizzle with satay sauce, and finish with a generous spoonful of gremolata. Extra lime wedges? Never a bad idea. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of toasted peanuts seals the deal.

Leftovers? Lucky you. Store the components separately in airtight containers. Chicken, rice, and veggies will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat the rice and chicken gently, then assemble fresh. Satay sauce thickens when cold, so warm it slightly before drizzling. Pro tip: the gremolata is best fresh.

Hi, I'm Kimberly!

Hi, I'm Kimberly.

A hopeless romantic when it comes to food. Every recipe I share is a love letter to food itself. I’m so glad you’re here. Make yourself at home and stay a while.

Love,
Kimberly

Kimberly the Zett Signature

If you want to get to know me better,
click here!

 

 

Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata
Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata
Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata
Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

LET’S MAKE A PIECE OF HAPPINESS

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Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata

Coconut Rice Peanut Chicken Bowl with Passionfruit Gremolata


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  • Author: Kimberly
  • Total Time: 40 min
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

  • medium pot with lid (or rice cooker)
  • two small bowls
  • shallow dish
  • sharp knife
  • cutting board
  • large pan
  • oven
  • kitchen thermometer

Ingredients

Units Scale
RICE
  • 150 grams jasmine rice
  • 100 grams coconut milk
  • 200 milliliters water
SATAY SAUCE
  • 3 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 100 grams coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tbsp water
CHICKEN
  • 300 grams chicken breast filet
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • salt
  • 1 tbsp butter
CHICKEN GLAZE
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp passionfruit purée
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 1/2 fresh chili
PASSIONFRUIT GREMOLATA
  • 1 passionfruit
  • 10 grams fresh parsley
  • 5 grams fresh cilantro
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 fresh chili
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste
VEGGIES & TOPPINGS
  • cucumber
  • white cabbage
  • red onion
  • fresh cilantro
  • fresh chili
  • peanuts

Instructions

  1. Rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Add it to a pot with coconut milk and water, then cook until tender.
  2. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, lime juice, coconut milk, and water. Press in a garlic clove, season with chili powder, stir well, and set aside.
  3. In another small bowl, mix soy sauce, passionfruit purée, brown sugar, finely chopped ginger, finely chopped half of a fresh chili, and a pressed garlic clove. Set aside.
  4. Finely chop the parsley and cilantro leaves. Cut open a fresh passionfruit and scoop the pulp, including seeds, into a shallow dish. Mix with lime juice, a pressed garlic clove, the remaining finely chopped chili, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  5. Slice the white cabbage and red onion into very thin strips. Use a vegetable peeler to create wide cucumber ribbons.
  6. Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F. Heat avocado oil in a large pan and sear the chicken breasts on all sides until golden brown. Reduce the heat, add a tablespoon of butter, and continuously spoon the melted butter over the chicken to keep it juicy. Cook until the internal temperature reaches around 70°C / 160°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate and place it in the oven until it reaches 76°C / 170°F.
  7. Discard excess fat from the pan, then pour in the prepared glaze. Remove the chicken from the oven, slice it into strips, and toss it in the glaze until fully coated.
  8. Divide the coconut rice into two bowls, top with the glazed chicken and fresh veggies. Finish with satay sauce and passionfruit gremolata. For extra flavor, garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, sliced chili, and a lime wedge.
  • Cook Time: 40 min

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Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan

Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan

Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan

Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan

March 26, 2025 by Kimberly

Bold, creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy. A rich, slow-simmered tomato-coconut sauce meets tender chicken, cooled down with tropical yogurt and scooped up with garlicky, buttery, chili-lime naan.

This website uses affiliate links which may earn commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.

TOTAL TIME

90 min

SERVES

3 portions

DIET

omnivore

EVERY RECIPE DESERVES

A Little Love Letter

This is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug, but, like, an effortlessly cool one. Tender chicken, slow-simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-coconut sauce packed with warm spices and just the right amount of heat. It’s bold and deep in flavor, but then? Enter the tangy, tropical yogurt that balances it all out, plus fluffy, garlicky naan to scoop up every last drop. It’s cozy, it’s indulgent, and honestly, it just hits different.

The key here is layering flavors. Start with a generous spoonful of the rich, velvety sauce, pile on the juicy, spice-kissed chicken, and finish with a drizzle of the bright, citrusy yogurt. And the naan? It’s non-negotiable. Tear, dip, repeat. This dish is best served fresh, straight from the pot, but if you want to go all out, a side of fluffy basmati rice wouldn’t hurt. Bonus points if you add a sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving.

Store the chicken and sauce together in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge. The naan keeps best wrapped in foil at room temp for a day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to keep things soft and saucy.

Hi, I'm Kimberly!

Hi, I'm Kimberly.

A hopeless romantic when it comes to food. Every recipe I share is a love letter to food itself. I’m so glad you’re here. Make yourself at home and stay a while.

Love,
Kimberly

Kimberly the Zett Signature

If you want to get to know me better,
click here!

 

 

Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan
Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan
Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan
Chili Lime Garlic Naan
LET’S MAKE A PIECE OF HAPPINESS
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Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan

Chicken Tikka Masala with Passionfruit Yogurt & Chili Lime Garlic Naan


  • Author: Kimberly
  • Total Time: 90 min
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

  • stand mixer
  • sharp knife
  • cutting board
  • large pan

Ingredients

Units Scale
BASE SAUCE
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 red onions
  • 400 grams tomatoes
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cloves powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 250 milliliter vegetable stock
COCONUT SAUCE
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 200 grams coconut milk
CHICKEN
  • 400 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
TOPPINGS
  • lime juice
  • fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • 2 tbsp passionfruit purée

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing the chili lime garlic naan according to this recipe, up to Step 4. Once 40 minutes of resting time have passed, proceed with Step 2 of this recipe.
  2. Finely dice the onions and tomatoes, keeping them separate.
  3. Coat the chicken in turmeric (gloves recommended, as turmeric stains easily). Heat avocado oil in a large pan and sear the chicken on both sides. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet, as it will finish simmering in the sauce. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. In the remaining oil, add ground cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and ground cloves. Toast briefly until fragrant. Add the diced onions and a bay leaf, season generously with salt, and let them soften. Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the ginger and garlic, then add them to the pan. Let everything cook down gently.
  5. Once softened, add coriander powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, toasting briefly. Stir in tomato paste and diced tomatoes, then pour in vegetable broth. Cover with a lid and let it simmer until the tomatoes break down. Transfer everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Keep the mixture in the blender while reheating the pan.
  6. Continue preparing the naan from Step 5 to Step 6, allowing the dough to rest for another 10-15 minutes.
  7. Heat more avocado oil in the pan and toast ground cumin and mustard seeds until they start popping. Add pressed garlic, turmeric, and garam masala, stirring until fragrant. Pour in the coconut milk and mix well. Then, return the blended tomato mixture to the pan, stirring until combined. Add the seared chicken, cover with a lid, and bring to a simmer.
  8. Once simmering, remove the lid and stir in more garam masala and a splash of lime juice. Optionally, add a tablespoon of butter for extra richness. Let everything simmer over medium heat for another 20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
  9. While the dish simmers, complete the naan recipe from Step 7 onward, so it’s freshly served.
  10. Remove the pan from the heat and top the chicken with yogurt, passionfruit purée, and fresh cilantro. Serve with warm naan and enjoy!
  • Passive Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 60 min
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Follow along here & don’t forget to subscribe to my substack!