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Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe

4.9 from 140 reviews

Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich coconut milk sauce infused with zesty lime and fragrant garlic. This easy-to-make recipe brings together tropical flavors with a creamy texture, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce

  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 2 medium limes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or honey for balance

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive or coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté the garlic: Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic to the same skillet, and sauté for about 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  4. Make the coconut lime sauce: Pour in the coconut milk, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the lime zest and lime juice, stirring well to combine. If using, add the coconut sugar or honey, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Simmer the chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Finish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the creamy coconut lime chicken hot, garnished with fresh herbs such as cilantro or basil if desired, over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, add more lime juice gradually to suit your taste.
  • Chicken thighs provide more moisture and flavor than chicken breasts, but both work well.
  • For a thicker sauce, simmer it a little longer or add a small slurry of cornstarch dissolved in water.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro, basil, or green onions for a fresh touch.

Keywords: coconut lime chicken, creamy chicken, coconut milk recipe, lime garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken recipe