Coconut Lime Chicken is a simple dinner recipe that it quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful. It can be made spicy or more family-friendly and is naturally low carb and gluten free.
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It’s no secret that I love coconut, cilantro, and lime flavor profiles. In fact, this recipe is very similar to my recipe for Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken. The main difference is that this recipe also has coconut. They are both really good, in their own way.
Why This Recipe Works
This is a quick and easy recipe. You can make it more kid and family-friendly by omitting the crushed red pepper. But, if you like spice – go for it! It really makes the coconut lime sauce even more delicious.
As written, this recipe is low carb, keto friendly and gluten free. Make sure to choose your sides to suit your diet, if you are following one.
How to Make Coconut Lime Chicken
What You Need to Make This Recipe
To make this recipe you will need chicken, chicken stock, a lime, onion powder, cilantro, coconut milk, and crushed red pepper (optional).
Tip: use full fat coconut milk for the creamiest results. Not all coconut milk is created equal. A couple of brands that I prefer are Thai Kitchens and A Taste of Thai. I would encourage you to read the ingredient labels before purchasing.
Prep!
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Create!
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
In a large, oven proof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook about 3-4 minutes per side, or just until golden brown. Remove to a plate.
Note: The chicken will not be fully cooked but will finish cooking the in the oven.
In the same pan, add the chicken stock, lime juice, onion powder, cilantro, and red pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, until reduced by half. Lower the heat and whisk in the coconut milk.
Add the chicken back into the pan with the sauce and place in the preheated oven.
Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes or until it’s no longer pink in the center and the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
Present!
Spoon the pan sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime slices, if desired.
You can serve this chicken with a side of vegetables, rice, cauliflower rice, or mashed potatoes.
Tips and Techniques
- Use full fat coconut milk for the best results. Brands that I love are Thai Kitchens and A Taste of Thai.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice and cilantro for the best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
FAQ’s
What Do You Serve with Coconut Lime Chicken?
Coconut Lime Chicken pairs perfectly with rice or cauliflower rice. For more coconut flavor, you can make Creamy Coconut Rice or Coconut Cauliflower Rice. You could also make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice to serve this chicken on top of.
Vegetables that pair well with Coconut Lime Chicken are potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
How Can I Use Up Canned Coconut Milk?
If your recipe doesn’t use the full can of coconut milk, don’t throw it away!
You can freeze the extra, or use it in coffee, tea, or in other recipes.
More Chicken Dinner Recipes to Try
Need a few more new ways to enjoy chicken for dinner? Here are a few recipes that you may want to check out:
- Vadouvan Curry Chicken
- Curry Chicken Salad
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken and Orzo Pasta
- Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken with Cauliflower
- Keto Cajun Jambalaya
- Chicken Tostadas with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
Love this Coconut Lime Chicken recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Coconut Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 lime * juiced and zested
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves * chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes * optional
- 2/3 cup coconut milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a large, oven proof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown (you will finish cooking the chicken in the oven).
- Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Using the same pan, add the chicken stock, lime juice, onion powder, cilantro, and red pepper, if using.
- Bring to a gentle boil, until reduced by half.
- Lower the heat and whisk in the coconut milk.
- Add the chicken back into the pan with the sauce and place in the preheated oven. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Spoon the pan sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime slices if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Use full fat coconut milk for the best results. Brands that I love are Thai Kitchens and A Taste of Thai.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice and cilantro for the best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on February 18, 2016. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in June 2020.
Christina says
This was lovely. I added a tbs of the chilli flakes because we like it hot and only used the top (cream) of the coconut milk ( full fat) and it was delicious. I also added spinach to my portion and served it with rice for the rest of the family
sawyer says
could you do it with chicken thighs instead of breast?
Lauren Vavala Harris says
HI Sawyer. You should be able to just fine – the cook time may vary a bit though so I’d recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165F.
– Lauren
Elizabeth Tarlow says
Love the combination of flavorful ingredients in your Coconut Lime Chicken! I can’t wait to prepare it; it sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing!
swathi says
Love this pan seared chicken and coconut cilantro lime sauce looks so creamy and rich . We use coconut milk in chicken curry. this is wonderful idea.
Lauren says
I love coconut milk in curry!
Veena says
Love how simple and easy this is to make. Such a classic. Chicken with coconut and lime is always a winning combination. Sounds yum.
Lauren says
THanks Veena!
Melissa says
This sounds incredible, I love anything with cilantro and coconut milk (helllllo Thai food!)! I have chicken thighs in the fridge for tonight so I think I will give it a try with those!!!
Lauren says
Hope you loved it!
tammy says
That coconut sauce sounds fantastic! What great dinner idea for busy weeknights 😀 Yum!
Lauren says
Thanks!
Claudia says
I love coconut anything especially on shrimp never thought of it for chicken cant wait to try some!
Lauren says
It’s so good with chicken!
April says
I’ve never tried mixing coconut, lime and cilantro when cooking chicken – this is quite new for me and that means – exciting! Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe!
Lauren says
So good together – hope you try it!
Dan says
Oh, the recipe for this chicken is great! This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon.
Lauren says
Thanks Dan – hope you guys love it!
Teresa says
I just made this tonight and it was delicious! It had a nice kick with the red pepper flakes, but the coconut rice tamed it out a bit so that my spice-challenged hubby was able to enjoy it as well. Definitely making this for my next dinner party!
ourlittleeverything says
Awesome! So glad it worked out for you! Thanks for stopping back here to let me know 🙂
Marlynn says
Ooh I love coconut and cilantro flavors together. What a great weeknight family dinner!
TST says
This looks so good! I’ll have to put it on our menu for next week!
Angie says
YUM, this sounds AMAZING! Seriously, so delicious.
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Angie!
Alexandra says
Looks super yummy. Will defiantly give it a try when I get some free time.
ourlittleeverything says
me too!!
Abby says
This looks so good. I pinned it for later!
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Abby!
Rae says
You had me at cilantro and coconut milk. I will certainly try this but I can’t tell my husband it has coconut milk… he’s not very adventurous!
ourlittleeverything says
You have no idea how thankful I am for a man who eats just about anything!
Bella says
Yummy in my tummy, this looks super good!!
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Bella 🙂
Emily @ emilybogner.com says
This sounds delicious, Lauren! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Xx, Emily
ourlittleeverything says
Thank you Emily!
Kerry says
Pinned! MUST. TRY. THIS. Thanks for sharing; it looks super delicious!
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Kerry!
Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet says
Those are some of my favorite flavor combos!! Sounds so delicious!
ourlittleeverything says
Mine too – I can’t get enough!
Logan says
Tis looks delicious! I LOVE chicken and creamy lime sauce sounds amazing!
ourlittleeverything says
Thanks Logan 🙂
chanel van reenen says
dang girlfriend, this sounds amazing! literally, it’s only 9:15AM and I am craving this! LOL
ourlittleeverything says
I don’t know who decided you can’t eat dinner foods for breakfast..so wrong! 😉
candy says
Making pan seared chicken is so quick and easy and your sauce to go with it makes it a great fancy meal as my hubby would say.
ourlittleeverything says
Haha! Thanks Candy!