Chicken breasts are simmered in a slightly spicy coconut milk based sauce in this quick and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s nothing I love more than an easy weeknight chicken dinner recipe, and this Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken is a flavorful new favorite at my house!
My kids and I are big fans of coconut milk based curry dishes, so I was pretty sure this would be a hit. I was not disappointed.
And since it’s not actually a curry dish, my husband loved it too!
Tried this recipe today – and like a previous poster, used coconut cream instead of coconut milk…..it was delicious!! Thank you!
Tanz
The creamy sauce gets a kick from red pepper flakes and a splash of lime juice, and if we’re being honest, the sauce is my favorite thing about this dish.
You’ll definitely want to serve this dish with a side of your favorite rice or some homemade Indian Naan Bread. Either one is a perfect accompaniment to the tender chicken and creamy, delicious sauce!
Did I mention the sauce was my favorite part?
Best of all, this chicken is so quick and easy to get on the table. The hardest part is remembering to thaw your chicken breasts ahead of time. At least it is for me……
But once that’s done, you can have this chicken ready to go in less than 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for those crazy busy weeknights when you still want to serve a home cooked meal.
I added a diced red pepper to the recipe, but there’s not reason you couldn’t add even more veggies for a complete meal. Diced carrots, jalapeno (if you like even more spice), broccoli and mushrooms would all be wonderful additions.
We loved this Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken so much, I’ve started stocking coconut milk in my pantry so I can whip it up at a moments notice.
If you’re looking for a flavorful, exciting new way to serve chicken, you’ve got to give this recipe a try ASAP!
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Olive oil
- Spices: salt and pepper, red chili flakes, turmeric
- Produce: onion, garlic, red pepper, limes, fresh cilantro
- Chicken stock
- Cornstarch
- Coconut milk
- Cream
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 13.6 oz. can coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock and cornstarch. Add to the skillet, along with the red chili flakes and turmeric. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the coconut milk and simmer for another 3-5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and cream, then return the chicken to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is completely cooked through. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.
Video
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Nutrition
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35 comments
Brandi
Very tasty! I omitted the onions, added extra lime and served with rice.
Becky
This was GREAT. Loved it even with 1/2 and 1/2 sub for heavy cream. Wonderful flavor. Only thing we thought was a little weird was the color. Suppose that was from the turmeric.
Danelle
Yes, it was definitely the turmeric! So glad you like it!
Pam
This recipe was very delicious. I added a bit more turmeric and garlic powder because we like spices. I served it with rice and steamed broccoli/cauliflower. Can’t wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow.
MB
Delicious! I actually used boneless pork chops. I omitted the cream and added water instead and added a bit more cornstarch. I also added mushrooms to the peppers and onion. My family absolutely loved this! I served with a rice medley and fresh green beans. I’ll be making this again. I need to try it it with chicken.
September
Found this recipe a few months ago. It has become hands down one of my favorite chicken dishes. I make it nearly every week now. Thank you!!!
Megan H
I’ve made this recipe twice and it’ll be on rotation moving forward! I serve with rice and I put use peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.
Michelle Maffey
this is so good and i added lime kafir leaves which makes it even more delicious.
Keli
Made this tonight and it was actually pretty bland, even with a chopped jalapeño added in. It also doesn’t taste like coconut or lime which was sad . I feel like with a few tweaks though it would be .
Cricket
This recipe looks similar to a fish dish I had in Roaton. Honduras. It hah Sliced peppers and onions over fish with coconut cream and lime. They served it with sauted chayote.. I always wanted to make it and I will try it with this recipe.
Karen
Made this last night and my husband and I loved it! Served over brown rice.
I added some chopped sweet grape tomatoes and some chopped fresh spinach, because that’s what I wanted to use up, and it was delish.
Even had some reheated today and was today and was just as good!
Thanks for a keeper recipe!
Estelle
Can you make this on a slow cooker
Val Melville
Could you please give recipe for this dish to be cooked in slow cooker. It sounds lovely.
Paula
Definitely a hit in our home! Made this tonight for the first time however instead of coconut milk I used a can of coconut cream. I also still put in the heavy cream which I’ll try it without next time although it came delicious with it. I also used tenderloins instead.
Big thumbs up
melissa pickrom
How much coconut cream did you use in place of the coconut milk and heavy cream?
Terri Filice
Made this recipe tonight and it was wonderful! Definitely a keeper.
Ron Svetgoff
I have made this twice and it is delicious. 9 carbs so Keto friendly. I serve with Broccoli. Great recipe, Thank you Danelle.
SherrillGrawrock
I was thinking keeping keto and serving over riced cauliflower!
Lesley McDowell
Is it possible to cook this beforehand (say two hours) and reheat in the oven? Sounds absolutely delicious!
Danelle
You could, but the chicken might be a little dry.
Lesley McDowell
Is it possible to cook beforehand (couple of hours) and reheat in the oven? Sounds absolutely delicious!
Catherine
Absolutely delicious!
Donna
I made this for something different tonight. It was amazingly good! So creamy and tasty
Rochelle
Made this last night using thigh fillets, served on Jasmin rice with bread. Was a hit in our house, thank you. Will defiantly be adding to our rotation
Amanda
Served this with roasted green beans and the sauce was surprisingly delicious with them!
Amanda
What would be a good side for this?
Lala
Sweet potatoes is a good side to with this.
Danelle
I usually serve it with some kind of rice, but pasta would be good too.
Kellie
Could this recipe be converted to be cooked in a slow cooker?
Tanz
Tried this recipe today – and like a previous poster, used coconut cream instead of coconut milk/cream, juice from 1/2 a lemon and chilli powder instead. It was delicious!! Thank you!
Garden Mama
Made this with a few tweaks (coconut cream in place of coconut milk and cream), added roasted cauliflower and served over farro. So yummy and easy!!!
melissa pickrom
How much coconut cream did you use in place of the coconut milk and heavy cream?
Rose Mary George
This looks incredibly delicious!
Millie Brinkley
This looks incredible. I can’t wait to make it…with extra sauce.
Melissa Griffiths
This sounds so so so good! Putting it on my list.