If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with fresh, zesty, and creamy flavors, Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken is your new go-to! This vibrant skillet-oven dinner features juicy chicken breasts simmered in a lush coconut lime sauce—with a pop of cilantro and a tangy finish that’s absolute sunshine on your plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy & Zesty Fusion: Every bite balances velvety coconut with bright citrus and herby cilantro, for a sauce that’s irresistible.
- Quick Weeknight Wonder: You’ll have this fresh dinner on the table in just 30 minutes—yes, really!
- Easy to Customize: Whether you’re gluten-free, paleo, or feeding a crowd, Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken adapts to fit your needs.
- Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: That gorgeous, glossy sauce and a flourish of fresh herbs look as good as they taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken is you probably have most of the ingredients right in your fridge or pantry! Each one is simple but plays a starring role in building a dish that’s vibrant, creamy, and full of character.
- Chicken breasts: Look for boneless, skinless for fast cooking and maximum tenderness—it’s our protein base!
- All purpose flour: A light coating creates a subtle crust; swap in arrowroot starch for gluten-free or paleo.
- Cilantro: Both in the flour mix and sprinkled fresh, it brings a lively, grassy flavor to every bite.
- Coconut oil & olive oil: This combo adds depth and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
- Garlic: Just one clove makes the sauce deeply aromatic—don’t skip it!
- Coconut milk: Creamy and slightly sweet, it’s the magic for our silky sauce.
- Chicken broth: Adds just the right savory backbone and richens the sauce.
- Brown sugar (or coconut sugar): This hint of sweetness balances the lime and coconut.
- Limes: Their juice wakes up all the other flavors and keeps everything tasting bright.
- Green onion: Chopped for garnish—it’s fresh, a little sharp, and so pretty.
- Salt and pepper: For seasoning and bringing the whole dish together.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make this Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken your own! With just a few swaps, you can tailor it to what you have on hand or meet your dietary needs—deliciousness is guaranteed, however you riff the recipe.
- Gluten-Free or Paleo: Replace the all purpose flour with arrowroot or tapioca starch for a crispy, allergen-friendly crust.
- Sugar-Free/Whole30: Skip the sugar entirely—the coconut and lime are bright enough to carry the dish.
- More Veggies: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or zucchini right into the sauce for color and nutrition.
- Protein Swap: Try the same dreamy sauce on shrimp or tofu for a non-chicken twist—just adjust cook times as needed.
How to Make Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken
Step 1: Prep and Flour the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and chopped cilantro, then dredge each chicken breast in this mixture, making sure every side is lightly and evenly coated—this flour-cilantro base will help create a delicate crust and infuse flavor right from the first bite.
Step 2: Sear for Golden Goodness
Heat coconut oil and olive oil together in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Lay the coated chicken breasts in the hot pan and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side, until lightly golden. When the chicken is almost there, toss in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds to infuse your kitchen (and your meal) with irresistible aroma.
Step 3: Create the Dreamy Coconut Lime Sauce
While the chicken is browning, whisk together coconut milk, chicken broth, brown (or coconut) sugar, and juice from one of your limes. This tropical mixture is the heart of Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken—it gets poured right over the chicken in the skillet, soaking the meat in creamy, flavorful comfort.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection & Finish with Zest
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken) until the internal temperature hits 165°F and the sauce is bubbling. Finish by squeezing the juice from your second lime over the chicken, then shower with fresh cilantro, chopped green onion, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper—this ties all those flavors together and makes your kitchen smell amazing.
Pro Tips for Making Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken
- Perfect Sear, Tender Chicken: Let your skillet get hot before adding the chicken, so you get golden crust without overcooking—the flour coating helps lock in juices!
- Sauce Consistency Magic: If you like a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes before serving, or whisk in a touch more flour or arrowroot at the end.
- Lime Layers: Always finish with fresh lime juice after baking for the brightest pop—don’t add all the juice at the start!
- Fresh Herb Hero: Use both chopped cilantro in the flour mix and as a garnish—it makes every bite sing with color and flavor.
How to Serve Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken
Garnishes
The magic of Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken is in the finishing touches: a generous sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro, bright green onion, and (if you want to go bold) a few thin slices of fresh lime. These garnishes add a c risp, fresh aroma and a confetti-like burst of color that makes the dish look as vibrant as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This saucy chicken practically begs to be served over fluffy jasmine rice or nutty brown rice, soaking up every drop of that creamy coconut lime sauce. For a lighter twist, try cauliflower rice or even with a side of sautéed veggies like broccoli or snap peas for extra crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning meal, slice the chicken and fan it over rice, spoon on extra sauce, and finish with a vibrant mix of herbs. Or, make it party-friendly by serving the chicken sliced in lettuce cups, drizzled with sauce and topped with microgreens—guests will think you went to culinary school!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken stores beautifully! Once cool, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days—the sauce keeps the chicken moist, so it’s just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
Want to freeze for later? Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating—just note, the sauce may separate slightly, but a gentle stir brings it right back together.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm chicken and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If the sauce has thickened, add a splash of chicken broth or coconut milk to loosen it up—it’ll be creamy and luscious all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully and will be extra juicy. Adjust the oven time to 18–22 minutes, or until they reach 165°F, since thighs are often thicker than breasts.
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Is Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken spicy?
Not at all—this recipe has no heat by default. If you want a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few slices of fresh chili to the sauce or as a garnish.
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Can I prep Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken ahead for meal prep?
Yes! The chicken and sauce both reheat well for meal prep. Cook as directed, cool, and portion into meal prep containers with rice or veggies. Store in the fridge and enjoy within 3–4 days.
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How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together a small amount of flour (or arrowroot starch) with water and stir it into the sauce during the last few minutes in the oven. It will quickly thicken up and still taste creamy and fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken might just earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation—quick, vibrant, and layered with tropical flavor, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try soon and let every bite transport you to a sunny, flavor-packed paradise!
Print
Coconut Lime Cilantro Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Searing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in the creamy and tangy flavors of this delectable Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken. This dish features tender chicken breasts seared to perfection and baked in a luscious coconut milk sauce infused with zesty lime and aromatic cilantro.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Coconut Lime Sauce:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 limes
- 1 green onion, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Sear Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat coconut oil and olive oil. Coat chicken breasts in flour and cilantro mixture, then pan-sear for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Prepare Sauce: Mix coconut milk, broth, sugar, and juice from 1 lime. Pour over chicken.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle lime juice over chicken, season with salt, pepper, cilantro, and green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
- Calories are per serving and are an estimation
- Cook times vary depending on thickness of chicken
- To serve more people, slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise
- For gluten-free/Paleo option, use arrowroot starch instead of flour
- For Whole30, use arrowroot starch and omit sugar
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
