Dinner Tonight: Coconut sambal chicken with rice
Bright sambal complements lean chicken breast, which benefits from rich, nutty coconut milk.
Dinner Tonight
February 18, 2026

Coconut Sambal Chicken With Rice

Coconut Sambal Chicken With Rice
Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Recipe by Kay Chun | Total time: 30 minutes

Sri Lankan coconut sambal is a savory and spicy condiment made mainly from freshly grated coconut, shallots or red onion and fresh or dried chiles. For convenience, this version uses unsweetened shredded coconut instead of fresh, since it’s more accessible and easier to work with. The sambal can be customized to suit varying heat levels; use three chiles for a spicy sambal, or five for even more heat. It’s typically served on the side as an accompaniment to meals, and commonly sprinkled over rice and curries. In this recipe, bright sambal complements lean chicken breast, which benefits from rich, nutty coconut milk. The sambal keeps for about a week in the fridge and is terrific on roasted fish and pork chops, as well as on sautéed spinach or broccoli.

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