Coconut-Buttermilk Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe

Tender enough to fall off the bone, infused with the creamy richness of buttermilk, and grilled to a perfect golden brown, this chicken is irresistible soul food for any season.

You can cook it up with any cut of chicken you have available: drumsticks make great finger food, but don’t underestimate the power of savory buttermilk wings or thighs.

And better yet, it’s completely dairy-free, so even the lactose or casein intolerant can enjoy it without a hitch.

The secret to the buttermilk flavor without the dairy is simply understanding what buttermilk is. Despite the name, it’s not milk mixed with butter (although that does sound pretty tasty!). Instead, buttermilk is simply milked with a slightly acidic overtone.

Traditionally, this is made by fermenting cow’s milk, but it’s easy to re-create by adding a bit of vinegar or lemon juice to coconut milk. You can get the same great creamy, tangy marinade but without the need for any dairy products.

With the southern flavor of the buttermilk, this would be a perfect chicken recipe to serve with braised collards or other greens, or you could also go all-out on the comfort food front and pair it with these special baked sweet potatoes or a hot bowl of tomato soup.

Kids love it, but just try serving it to your adult friends and watch the platter empty. The appeal is universal; it’s a perfect recipe for a crowd, or just for dinner when you want something simple and classic.

Coconut-Buttermilk Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe

SERVES: 4 PREP: 15min+4h COOK: 20 min

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken parts (thighs, drumsticks, legs, etc.);
• 3 cloves garlic, minced;
• 2 tbsp. chili powder;
• 2 tsp. ground coriander;
• 2 tsp. ground cumin;
• 1 tsp. turmeric;
• Zest and juice of 1 lime;
• Fresh cilantro; (optional)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

Ingredients for the coconut buttermilk

• 2 cups of coconut milk;
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice;

Preparation

1. In a bowl, combine the coconut milk and lemon juice. Mix well and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the chilli powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, lime zest, and lime juice to the coconut buttermilk mixture. Season to taste and mix well.
3. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours.
4. Preheat a grill to medium heat.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through and golden on both sides (about 15 to 20 minutes total).
6. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro to serve.

📖 Recipe

Coconut-Buttermilk Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe

Savory spices and a creamy buttermilk marinade make this dairy-free grilled chicken a surefire hit with everyone at the table.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 758 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 lbs. chicken parts thighs, drumsticks, legs, etc
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. ground coriander
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro optional
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for the coconut buttermilk

• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine the coconut milk and lemon juice. Mix well and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
  2 cups of coconut milk, 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• Add the chilli powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, lime zest, and lime juice to the coconut buttermilk mixture. Season to taste and mix well.
  3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. ground coriander, 2 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. turmeric, Zest and juice of 1 lime, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours.
  2 lbs. chicken parts
• Preheat a grill to a medium-heat.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through and golden on both sides (about 15 to 20 minutes total).
• Sprinkle with fresh cilantro to serve.
  Fresh cilantro

Nutrition

Calories: 758kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 46gFat: 61gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 904mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2540IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 9mg

Keyword buttermilk, coconut, grilled calamari, southwest-style

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