Coxinha
Teardrop croquettes of shredded chicken in a dough, breaded and fried — a bar snack that is a project.
Recipe by I Want Some Food · Reviewed by the editorial kitchen.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Rest
- 1 hr
- Total
- 2 hr 20 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price

About
Coxinha is a thick dough made from the chicken broth, wrapped around shredded seasoned chicken, shaped like a drumstick, crumbed and fried. Shop ones are fine. The first homemade batch is lumpy. That is normal.
What you'll need
10 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Chicken400 g
- Wheat flour250 g
- Butter30 g
- Garlic2 clove
- Cream (optional)30 ml
- Egg2 large
- Panko100 g
- Neutral oil600 ml
- Salt7.4 ml
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Poach chicken with onion and garlic. Shred. Reduce a mug of broth, stir in flour and butter off the heat into a dough. Cool.
30 min
Step 2
Season filling (a little cream if you want it lush). Wrap dough around filling into teardrops. Egg, crumbs. Fry at 175°C gold.
25 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 444 kcal
- Protein
- 22.2 g
- Carbs
- 34.5 g
- Fat
- 23.5 g
- Saturated fat
- 5.4 g
- Fibre
- 1.6 g
- Sugar
- 1.6 g
- Sodium
- 531 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Milk
- Nut-free
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 13 November.
Substitutions
Panko → Dried breadcrumbs
Denser crust.
Tips
- Catupiry (a Brazilian cream cheese) is the shop filling extra.
- They freeze after crumbing.
History & culture
Botequim and birthday trays. Also the freezer.
A 19th–20th-century snack that became national. The shape is the joke (a little thigh).
Modern adaptation
Provenance: Editorial adaptation.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Coxinha take?
2 hr 20 min all in — 50 min prep, 30 min cook, 1 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 8 pieces. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Eggs, Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Nut-free.
6 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1½ tsp.
What can I use instead?
Panko → Dried breadcrumbs. Denser crust.
Any tips from this recipe?
Catupiry (a Brazilian cream cheese) is the shop filling extra. They freeze after crumbing.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.
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