Description
A vibrant and creamy chicken dish featuring tender chicken breast simmered in a luscious coconut milk sauce, infused with fresh lime juice, zesty lime zest, and aromatic spices. This Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken offers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner served over rice or quinoa.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids & Flavorings
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions: Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Toast spices: Sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring to coat onions and garlic.
- Cook chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, add to skillet, and stir to coat with spices. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add liquids: Pour in coconut milk and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low.
- Add lime: Stir in fresh lime juice and lime zest; let the flavors meld for 5 minutes.
- Thicken sauce (optional): Dissolve cornstarch in cold water and stir into skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Finish: Remove skillet from heat, stir in chopped cilantro.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed.
- Serve: Serve warm over rice, quinoa, or your preferred side dish.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce without cornstarch, simmer longer to reduce the liquid.
- Adjust chili powder for spiciness according to taste.
- Fresh lime zest and juice brighten the flavors—avoid bottled lime juice for best taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Garnish with additional cilantro or sliced green onions if desired.
