Description
Tender chicken simmered in a creamy coconut-lime sauce, brightened with fresh lime zest and finished with cilantro, perfect for a weeknight that tastes like a mini vacation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed and sliced
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, and brown sugar or honey.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Add olive oil to the hot skillet, swirl to coat the surface.
- Assemble the Dish: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Cook to Perfection: Push chicken to one side, add garlic and ginger to the pan, cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in coconut milk and the lime-soy mixture, stir to combine, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in red chili flakes if using, taste and adjust salt and lime juice as needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate chicken over steamed jasmine rice or noodles, spoon the creamy coconut-lime sauce over each serving, garnish with extra lime wedges and cilantro.
Notes
- Use full-fat coconut milk for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Pat chicken dry before searing to get a better golden crust.
- For gluten-free, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often taste better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximate)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: lime coconut chicken, coconut lime chicken, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, tropical chicken, creamy coconut chicken