Description
This Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts coated in a fragrant cilantro-flour mixture, seared to golden perfection, and then baked in a luscious coconut milk sauce enhanced with lime juice and a hint of brown sugar. Finished with fresh green onions and extra cilantro, it offers a tropical twist that’s perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 chicken breasts)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Oils and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- Juice of 2 limes, divided
Garnish
- Green onion, chopped
- Extra cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken, ensuring it’s ready once the searing is complete.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the coconut oil and olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the flour and chopped cilantro. Dredge each chicken breast in this mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Place the chicken directly into the hot skillet and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Towards the end, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken is searing, in a separate bowl mix the coconut milk, chicken broth, brown sugar, and juice of 1 lime until the ingredients blend smoothly into a creamy sauce.
- Bake the Chicken: Remove the skillet from heat and pour the coconut milk mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is perfectly cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Finish & Garnish: Take the skillet out of the oven and drizzle the remaining lime juice over the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with extra chopped cilantro and chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, tangy flavors.
Notes
- Ensure the skillet used for searing is oven-safe to avoid transferring chicken to another dish.
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different sweetness and flavor profile.
- Adjust lime juice to taste if you prefer more tanginess or a milder citrus flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of chicken to ensure it is safely cooked.
