Chicken Coconut Curry

I guess I like to think I enjoy spicier foods than my palate actually enjoys. I used the full amount of suggested curry and peppers, yeah it was definitely a little too hot for my liking. I did really enjoy the hint of coconut though.

Recipe from Proceed with Caution, who was inspired by Check It Out

* 2 1/2 pounds chicken (I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
* 1 can coconut milk (I used King Arthur's coconut powder)
* 2 cups chicken broth
* 2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (depending on how hot you like your food)
* 2 tablespoons curry powder (again depending on how much you like curry)
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon coriander
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
* juice of 1 lime
* 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
* 2-4 carrots, peeled and sliced on the bias
* 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
* white or brown rice, for serving

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Wash and pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Pour the chicken broth, coconut milk, and jalapenos in a baking dish then lay the chicken in the broth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then sprinkle the rest of the spices and squeeze the lime all over the chicken and broth. Add the carrots.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, carefully remove the foil and mix up the broth mixture so the coconut milk breaks up. Put the baking dish back in the oven uncovered for another 30-45 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and very tender.

Once you remove the baking dish from the oven, carefully pour the sauce into a saucepan and add 1 tablespoon butter (optional - I made it without the butter and it was delicious!). Mix using a whisk, bring the sauce to a boil and whisk till smooth and reduced. Taste the sauce to make sure it is spicy enough for your liking. If not, add more cayenne pepper and curry powder. Serve chicken and carrots over rice and add the reduced sauce.