One of my favorite recipes in cooking chicken is the Ginataang Manok (Chicken in Coconut Milk) simply because it is easy and fairly quick to cook. Since I hailed from the beautiful island of Bohol, my version of this chicken is greatly influenced by the place.
Before we start, it is important that I share with you a certain condiment that makes this recipe more sumptuous and delicious. The one I’m referring to is the achuete. Achuete can be found anywhere in the Philipines especially in Bohol. The tree grows from 4-6 meters in height and has oval-shaped leaves. This tree bears a fruit and the seeds you find inside the fruit is what makes a dye. The seeds are used locally as food coloring. It gives out an orange or yellowish food coloring. I specifically purchased achuete paste because just a small addition gives out a bolder and rich color to your recipe. I feel that Ginataang manok added with this condiment definitely makes the dish more palatable.
photo credit: Flickriver
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized coconut (grated)
1/2 kilo chicken (cut)
1 medium sliced Sayote (Chayote)
Malunggay leaves
ginger
sliced onion
lemongrass
pinch of achuete paste
salt
vinegar
How to Prepare the Coconut Milk?
Add 1 cup of water to the grated coconut. Squeeze the coconut milk and set aside. Add another 2 cups water to your grated coconut, squeeze and set aside.
How to Cook Ginataang Manok (Chicken in Coconut Milk)?
- In a pan, fry the chicken first with a little bit of vinegar in about 2 minutes.
- Once done, add the onion, ginger, lemongrass, coconut milk (the second batch) and bring it to a boil.
- When the chicken is tender, add the salt, malunggay leaves, the achuete paste, sayote and the coconut milk (first batch).
- Simmer for another 3 minutes and you’re done.
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24 comments
I watch a lot of Food Network, and that’s where I’m usually introduced to different food from around the globe. I have to say I’ve never seen this before. I had to do a Google search! Your dish looks good too!
I have never heard of this before but I need to try it asap. Your photography is stunning!
You will love it for sure.
This looks so yummy! I’m a huge fan of curry made with coconut milk because the curry is always thicker and slightly sweeter in taste, I’d love to try to make this one day
Sondra xx
prettyfitfoodie.com
This sounds tasty! I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like this before but I’m willing to try everything once!
This looks really good. I love chicken and coconut, I bet they are great together.
They are. I love everything done with coconut milk.
I’ve never had coconut milk chicken before, but would love to try it. My BIL’s wife is from the Philipines, so maybe she can help me with your recipe as I’m not familiar with some of these ingredients.
That’s great. You will love it.
This sounds like a delicious dish. I will h ave to add it to my meal plan for next week. I am always looking for new recipes to try.
Omg yummy! I love chicken dishes and this one looks delicious and flavorful.
Ginataang Manok is my favorite! It seems so good and milky! So yummy!
Coconut milk is such an intimidating ingredient to me! I have been dying to try and include it in something, this is a great recipe to try!
This would be a nice variation for our dinner table. We’re obsessed with coconut milk right now.
Oh my goodness, this looks and sounds amazing! Will definitely have to give this a try.
This looks very interesting, yet very delicious. My son loves chicken and he can have coconut milk, so I just might have to try this out for him. Thanks for sharing!
That chicken looks delicious. I would love to try it.
I need to find a place that makes this because it’s impossible to find these ingredients in Greece. It does look delicious!
I’ve tasted this dish before and I must say it was delish. This is a dish you can commonly find in Philippine restaurants, I know a friend who likes Chicken in coconut milk.
this sounds so so yummy! You are making me so hungry and this is defo a recipe I am gonna try because it looks so tasty!
I have heard of cooking chicken like that before, but I have never done it. I can imagine the sweet coconut milk would add a nice flavor to the chicken.
I really like your recipe and have to try it. I love chicken we eat it all the time and I am always looking for new recipes.
this recipe is so so perfect. looks so delicious! i love chicken and coconut milk recipes!
Thanks for introducing your cultural dish from Bohol. I bet the flavors in this is amazing.