30-Minute Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe
This 30-Minute Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts simmered in a luscious, tangy coconut milk and lime sauce, infused with fresh garlic, ginger, and cilantro. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers vibrant flavors and a satisfying creamy texture served best over rice or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion (Southeast Asian inspired)
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Aromatics and Sauce
- 1 shallot, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated on a microplane
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for topping)
- 1/3 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1.5 cups coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (or coconut oil)
- Lime slices for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the shallot, mince the garlic, grate the ginger using a microplane, chop the cilantro, and juice about 2 limes to yield 1/3 cup of lime juice. Set all aside.
- Pound Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper and pound to even thickness. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat Skillet and Add Oil: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil into the skillet.
- Sear Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot pan. Depending on your skillet size, cook in batches if needed. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to form a golden brown crust, then flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes until nearly cooked through.
- Remove Chicken: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside. Reduce heat to medium.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add additional oil if necessary. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Add Liquids and Flavorings: Pour in chicken broth, coconut milk, lime juice, grated ginger, and chopped cilantro. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate all flavors.
- Simmer Chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet with the coconut lime sauce. Cover and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Plate the chicken with your choice of sides such as vegetables, potatoes, rice, or cauliflower rice. Spoon generous amounts of the creamy coconut lime sauce over everything. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and optional lime slices for extra zing.
Notes
- Chicken breasts are pounded to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for a creamier sauce; light coconut milk will be less rich.
- Avocado oil can be substituted with coconut oil for a more tropical flavor.
- You can double the recipe and cook the chicken in batches if your skillet is small.
- Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Keywords: coconut lime chicken, creamy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, dairy-free chicken, coconut milk chicken, lime garlic chicken
