Coxinha de Frango
BrazilianSnack

Recipe Story

origins & traditions

Coxinha is one of Brazil's most iconic street foods and party snacks, featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese encased in a smooth, seasoned dough made from chicken broth and flour. The teardrop shape mimics a chicken thigh, which is what coxinha means in Portuguese. These savory croquettes are breaded and deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining creamy and flavorful inside. Originally from São Paulo, coxinha has become a national treasure found at every Brazilian celebration, from birthday parties to casual gatherings. The key to authentic coxinha lies in the well-seasoned filling and the perfectly smooth dough that holds its distinctive shape during frying.

Instructions

step by step
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  1. Prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

  2. Add shredded chicken breast to the skillet along with tomato paste, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for 5 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and fold in cream cheese until fully incorporated. Set aside to cool completely.

  4. Make the dough: In a large saucepan, combine chicken broth, butter, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

  5. Reduce heat to medium-low and add all the flour at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 3-4 minutes.

  6. Transfer dough to a large bowl and let it cool until warm but still pliable, about 10 minutes.

  7. Shape the coxinhas: Lightly oil your hands. Take a golf ball-sized portion of dough and flatten it in your palm to create a small disc.

  8. Place a tablespoon of the chicken filling in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, pinching the top to form the characteristic teardrop shape.

  9. Set up breading station: Place beaten eggs in one shallow bowl and breadcrumbs in another.

  10. Dip each coxinha first in the egg wash, ensuring it's fully coated, then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

  11. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.

  12. Fry coxinhas in batches of 4-5, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch.

  13. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Coxinha de Frango

4.7 (74)

Golden Brazilian chicken croquettes shaped like teardrops, filled with seasoned shredded chicken and catupiry-style cream cheese, coated in crispy breadcrumbs. A beloved street food snack across Brazil.

medium
1h 10m
20 servings

Ingredients

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Filling

  • 500 grams chicken-breast, cooked and shredded
  • 4 tablespoons cream-cheese, softened
  • 1 pieces onions, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato-paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive-oil
  • 1 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoons cumin

Dough

  • 3 cups flour, all-purpose
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Breading

  • 3 pieces eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs

Frying

  • 6 cups vegetable-oil

Seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoons black-pepper, freshly ground

Chef Tips

expert advice
The secret to smooth dough is adding flour all at once to boiling liquid and stirring constantly.
If dough is too sticky, let it cool slightly before shaping.
Make sure filling is completely cool before assembling or it will be difficult to shape.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
Catupiry cheese is traditional, but cream cheese works wonderfully as a substitute.
You can freeze shaped, unbreaded coxinhas for up to 2 months - bread and fry directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cooking time.
For a party, make mini coxinhas using less dough and filling.
Serve with hot sauce, garlic aioli, or Brazilian vinagrete salsa.