The Zesty Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe Everyone Loves
Nestled in a world of bold flavors, this creamy coconut lime chicken recipe promises a culinary adventure that dances across your taste buds.
Tropical ingredients blend seamlessly to create a dish bursting with zesty brightness.
Fresh lime cuts through rich coconut smooth embrace, creating a perfect balance of tangy and creamy notes.
Fragrant herbs and spices whisper stories of distant shores and sun-drenched kitchens.
Simple ingredients come together in a symphony of deliciousness that feels both comforting and exotic.
Each bite transports you to a vibrant coastal landscape where flavors sing and hunger meets pure satisfaction.
You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this remarkable meal.
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Flavor Boost
Ingredients for Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
For the Main Ingredients:For the Aromatics:For the Seasoning and Enhancers:Cooking Instructions for Coconut Lime Chicken
Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Surface
Place a large skillet on the stove and drizzle olive oil, spreading it evenly across the pan. Turn the heat to medium, allowing the oil to become shimmery and hot.
Step 2: Prepare and Sear the Chicken
Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the chicken breasts. Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the heated skillet.
Cook each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms, roughly 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate.
Step 3: Unlock Aromatic Flavors
In the same skillet with leftover chicken drippings, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir and cook until the kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma, about 30-45 seconds.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the ingredients to build the sauce:Whisk everything together and let the mixture simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
Step 5: Finish Cooking the Chicken
Return the seared chicken back to the skillet.
Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the chicken. Plate and enjoy the vibrant, tropical-inspired dish.
Tips for Perfect Coconut Lime Chicken
Flavor Twists for Coconut Lime Chicken
Serving Ideas for Coconut Lime Chicken
Storage Tips for Coconut Lime Chicken
FAQs
The combination of coconut milk, fresh lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, and honey creates a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that coat the chicken beautifully.
Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re typically more tender and juicy, and will absorb the sauce flavors just as well as chicken breasts.
This dish is relatively healthy, providing lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from coconut milk, and added nutrients from fresh herbs and spices like ginger and cilantro.
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Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Coconut lime chicken sings with tropical flavors from Southeast Asian cuisine. Tender chicken bathed in rich coconut sauce delivers complex, zesty notes you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 can (13.5 oz / 400 ml) coconut milk
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 limes (zest and juice)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet at medium temperature until shimmering.
- Generously season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per surface. Transfer chicken to a temporary plate.
- Using the identical skillet, quickly toast minced garlic and ginger, releasing their aromatic essence for roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Pour coconut milk into the pan, incorporating lime zest, freshly squeezed lime juice, soy sauce, and honey. Whisk ingredients together, allowing the mixture to gently bubble and meld flavors for 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully nestle seared chicken back into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, guaranteeing chicken reaches complete doneness with an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the surface, providing a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the dish.
Notes
- Adjust heat carefully to prevent burning garlic and ensure even browning of chicken without drying out the meat.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat coconut milk with light coconut milk or half coconut milk and half chicken broth to reduce calories.
- Marinate chicken beforehand in lime juice and herbs for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat texture.
- Consider gluten-free options by replacing soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Maya Thompson
Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast
Expertise
Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine
Education
The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.
Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.