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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Coconut Lime Chicken

Coconut Lime Chicken

Published May 20, 2020. Last updated July 12, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

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.

Close up of 2 coconut lime chicken breasts in a sauce in a black skillet with a lime and cilantro in the background

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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

Ingredients needed to make Coconut Lime Chicken laid out on a white background

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!

4 pan seared chicken breasts in a black skillet over a white background

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.

Coconut lime sauce in a black skillet over a white background

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.

4 Pan seared chicken breasts and coconut lime sauce in a black skillet

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!

Overhead of a skillet with 4 Coconut Lime Chicken breasts with cilantro, a lime, and a slate board in the background all over a gray backdrop

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!

 

Close up of 2 coconut lime chicken breasts in a sauce in a black skillet with a lime and cilantro in the background
Print

Coconut Lime Chicken

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.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chicken, Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 354kcal
Author Lauren Harris

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. 
 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 670mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

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.

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Tarlow says

    June 6, 2020 at 11:04 am

    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!

    Reply
  2. swathi says

    October 11, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 6:00 pm

      I love coconut milk in curry!

      Reply
  3. Veena Azmanov says

    October 11, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Love how simple and easy this is to make. Such a classic. Chicken with coconut and lime is always a winning combination. Sounds yum.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:23 pm

      THanks Veena!

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    October 11, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:24 pm

      Hope you loved it!

      Reply
  5. tammy says

    October 11, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    That coconut sauce sounds fantastic! What great dinner idea for busy weeknights 😀 Yum!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Claudia Lamascolo says

    October 10, 2018 at 6:50 pm

    I love coconut anything especially on shrimp never thought of it for chicken cant wait to try some!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm

      It’s so good with chicken!

      Reply
  7. April says

    October 10, 2018 at 3:54 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      So good together – hope you try it!

      Reply
  8. Dan Zehr says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks Dan – hope you guys love it!

      Reply
  9. Teresa says

    February 7, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      February 8, 2017 at 7:22 am

      Awesome! So glad it worked out for you! Thanks for stopping back here to let me know 🙂

      Reply
  10. Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says

    August 5, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    Ooh I love coconut and cilantro flavors together. What a great weeknight family dinner!

    Reply
  11. The Southern Thing says

    August 5, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    This looks so good! I’ll have to put it on our menu for next week!

    Reply
  12. Angie says

    August 4, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    YUM, this sounds AMAZING! Seriously, so delicious.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      Thanks Angie!

      Reply
  13. Alexandra Mucenieks says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Looks super yummy. Will defiantly give it a try when I get some free time.

    http://confettilayers.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      me too!!

      Reply
  14. Abby says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    This looks so good. I pinned it for later!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks Abby!

      Reply
  15. Rae says

    August 3, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      You have no idea how thankful I am for a man who eats just about anything!

      Reply
  16. Bella says

    August 3, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Yummy in my tummy, this looks super good!!

    http://xoxobella.com

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks Bella 🙂

      Reply
  17. Emily @ emilybogner.com says

    August 3, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    This sounds delicious, Lauren! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Xx, Emily

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:04 pm

      Thank you Emily!

      Reply
  18. Kerry says

    August 3, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    Pinned! MUST. TRY. THIS. Thanks for sharing; it looks super delicious!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks Kerry!

      Reply
  19. Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet says

    August 3, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Those are some of my favorite flavor combos!! Sounds so delicious!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:04 pm

      Mine too – I can’t get enough!

      Reply
  20. Logan says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Tis looks delicious! I LOVE chicken and creamy lime sauce sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks Logan 🙂

      Reply
  21. chanel van reenen says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:17 am

    dang girlfriend, this sounds amazing! literally, it’s only 9:15AM and I am craving this! LOL

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:06 pm

      I don’t know who decided you can’t eat dinner foods for breakfast..so wrong! 😉

      Reply
  22. candy says

    August 3, 2016 at 8:27 am

    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.

    Reply
    • ourlittleeverything says

      August 4, 2016 at 7:06 pm

      Haha! Thanks Candy!

      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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