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Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken

creamy coconut lime chicken - featured image

A quick and easy dinner recipe featuring creamy coconut milk, tangy lime, and perfectly seared chicken. This dish is comforting, vibrant, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 4 tablespoons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus 1 tablespoon for cooking)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Don’t worry about cooking it through just yet—it will finish cooking in the sauce.
  3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
  5. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits.
  6. Add 1 cup of coconut milk and the juice of 2 limes. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
  7. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
  8. Once the chicken is done, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning—add more lime juice for tanginess or a pinch of salt if needed.
  9. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if desired). Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or noodles.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcrowd the skillet to ensure proper searing.’, ‘Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.’, ‘Scrape the browned bits off the skillet for maximum flavor.’, ‘Simmer gently to keep the coconut milk creamy and smooth.’, ‘Taste and adjust lime and salt to suit your preferences.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: coconut lime chicken, creamy chicken recipe, easy dinner, healthy comfort food, tropical chicken recipe