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
Scale
- 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