Description
This Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts coated with a cilantro-flour mixture, seared to golden perfection, and baked in a luscious coconut milk sauce infused with fresh lime juice. It’s a delightful blend of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect for a quick and satisfying 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 Fats and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons 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: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and olive oil. In a small bowl, mix the flour and chopped cilantro together. Dredge each chicken breast in the cilantro-flour mixture, coating both sides evenly. Place the coated chicken breasts into the hot skillet and sear them for 3–4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. When the chicken is almost done searing, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken sears, combine the coconut milk, chicken broth, brown sugar, and the juice of 1 lime in a bowl. Whisk the ingredients until well blended, ready to pour over the chicken.
- Bake the Chicken: Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the prepared coconut milk mixture evenly over the seared chicken breasts. Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish & Garnish: Once baking is complete, remove the skillet from the oven. Drizzle the juice of the remaining lime over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, extra chopped cilantro, and chopped green onion. Serve the chicken hot and enjoy the creamy, zesty flavors.
Notes
- Use coconut sugar as a natural alternative to brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in lime juice and cilantro before dredging in the flour mixture.
- Ensure your skillet is oven-safe before using it to bake the chicken in the oven.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer to guarantee safety and avoid undercooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious coconut lime sauce.
