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Zesty Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe

Zesty Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Coconut lime chicken elevates weeknight dinners with bold Thai-inspired flavors. Juicy chicken simmers in a silky sauce, delivering complex, tangy notes you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Liquid and Fat:

  • 1 can (13.5 ounces/400 milliliters) coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lime (zested and juiced)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, carefully placing chicken and searing for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
  3. Introduce minced garlic to the identical skillet, sautéing briefly until aromatic and releasing its vibrant fragrance.
  4. Create a luscious sauce by combining coconut milk, tangy lime juice, zesty lime zest, sweet honey, and warming ground ginger. Whisk ingredients together until harmoniously blended.
  5. Allow sauce to gently simmer, then reintroduce seared chicken into the skillet. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches optimal internal temperature and sauce transforms into a velvety, thickened consistency.
  6. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile by delicately scattering fresh cilantro leaves across the surface.
  7. Serve immediately alongside fluffy rice or your preferred complementary side dish, ensuring the chicken remains moist and the sauce retains its luxurious texture.

Notes

  • Swap out chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a delicious vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, tangy flavor profile.
  • For a low-carb alternative, serve the chicken over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice.
  • Enhance the sauce’s depth by adding a splash of white wine or a dash of red pepper flakes for subtle heat and complexity.
  • Marinate the chicken in the coconut lime mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify the flavors and ensure more tender meat.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 360 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg