Coxinha is a popular Brazilian street food that originates from São Paulo. It is a savory snack shaped like a teardrop or drumstick, made of dough traditionally filled with seasoned, shredded chicken meat. The dough itself is typically prepared from wheat flour and chicken broth, contributing to its rich flavor.

This dish supposedly originated in the 19th century in São Paulo when the son of Princess Isabel, a member of the Brazilian royal family, exhibited a fondness for chicken drumsticks. The palace cooks, in response, developed a method to create a chicken-like shape out of dough to simulate the drumstick and filled it with chicken meat to satisfy his preference.

Coxinhas are prepared by first cooking the chicken filling with onions, garlic, and sometimes other ingredients like parsley and cream cheese (known as "requeijão" in Portuguese). The filling is then encased in the dough, molded into its characteristic shape, breaded, and deep-fried until golden.

Beyond São Paulo, coxinha became widespread across Brazil and can be found in bakeries, street vendor stalls, and snack bars known as lanchonetes. While chicken is the classic filling, there are variations incorporating other ingredients such as cheese, palm heart, or beef.

Coxinha is related to various international dishes, such as the Italian arancini or the Portuguese rissóis, due to its similar method of enclosing a filling with breaded dough and frying it.

The word “coxinha” translates to "little thigh" in Portuguese, referring to its shape and traditional meat filling. It is a staple not just for casual snacking but also for parties and gatherings, highlighting its role in Brazilian culinary culture.