Coxinha is perhaps Brazil's most beloved street food snack. These teardrop-shaped croquettes — coxinha means "little chicken thigh" — are filled with creamy shredded chicken, encased in a soft dough, and fried to golden perfection. You'll find them everywhere in Brazil: bakeries, street stalls, and birthday parties.
Ingredients (Makes 20)
Dough
- 500ml chicken broth · 250g all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp butter · 1 tsp salt
Filling
- 2 large chicken breasts, poached and shredded
- 200g cream cheese · 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced · 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh coriander, chopped · Salt and pepper
Coating
- 2 eggs, beaten · 250g breadcrumbs · Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Make the Filling
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add shredded chicken, cream cheese, and coriander. Mix until creamy. Season and let cool.
Make the Dough
Bring chicken broth, butter, and salt to a boil. Add all the flour at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls from the sides. Let cool until handleable.
Shape, Coat and Fry
Take a golf-ball-sized portion of dough, flatten into a circle, place a spoonful of filling in the center, pinch edges together, and shape into a teardrop (pointed at top, rounded at bottom). Dip in beaten egg, roll in breadcrumbs. Fry at 180°C for 3–4 minutes until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with lime or hot sauce.