The Best Homemade Brazilian Chicken Coxinha Recipe You’ll Find

If you’re a fan of Brazilian coxinhas (chicken croquettes), get ready to enjoy the ultimate recipe. There’s nothing quite like a well-made, crispy coxinha to brighten your day! Today, we are teaching you how to make an authentic chicken and creamy cheese coxinha that will have everyone craving more.

Ingredients for Chicken and Creamy Cheese Coxinhas:

• 1 tbsp butter
• Olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.1 lbs (500g) cooked and shredded chicken breast
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Spices to taste (smoked paprika, garlic powder, etc.)
• 1 tomato, finely diced
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth (reserved from boiling the chicken)
• Fresh parsley and scallions, chopped
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Creamy cheese (Catupiry or high-quality cream cheese) for filling
• Milk and breadcrumbs for breading
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a pan, melt the butter with a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and sauté until golden.
3. Add the shredded chicken and your chosen spices, stirring well to combine.
4. Add the diced tomato, tomato sauce, and the chicken broth. Cook until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
5. In a separate pot, heat the milk, chicken broth, and salt until it reaches a boil.
6. Once boiling, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
7. Let the dough cool slightly, then carefully knead it for about 10 minutes until smooth and uniform.
8. Take small portions of the dough, flatten them in your palm, add a dollop of creamy cheese, and shape into the iconic teardrop shape.
9. Dip each coxinha into milk and then roll in breadcrumbs.
10. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Pro Tip:

You can freeze the breaded coxinhas and fry them whenever you want a quick, delicious snack!

Prep time:

The total prep time is about 1 hour, accounting for cooking the chicken and the shaping process.

Yields:

This recipe makes about 15 medium-sized coxinhas—perfect for parties, an afternoon treat, or keeping in the freezer for when cravings strike.

Fun Fact:

Did you know the coxinha is one of Brazil’s most popular snacks? Its origins date back to the 19th century. Originally filled with shredded chicken, many variations emerged over time, but the chicken and creamy cheese version remains a favorite nationwide.

Now that you know how to make this treat, get in the kitchen and start cooking! Surprise your family and friends with this irresistible snack, and don’t forget to share this recipe so everyone can enjoy this Brazilian classic. Bom appetite!