Prepare this creamy, zesty coconut lime chicken in one pan in just 30 minutes. This recipe offers bold tropical flavor and minimizes cleanup, making it a simple, nourishing weeknight dinner solution.
Author:sarahmiller
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:Fusion
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the coconut milk, lime juice, and lime zest. Whisk to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
You can use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or breasts for a leaner option.
Serve this flavorful chicken over jasmine rice or with steamed vegetables to complete your meal.
For a slight kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce when you add the ginger and garlic.