Description
Zesty coconut lime chicken brings Mexican coastal flavors to your dinner table with a perfect balance of tangy and creamy notes. Caribbean-inspired marinades and quick grilling techniques deliver a succulent meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3)
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or cooking oil of choice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup minced onion (yellow or white)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Liquid and Optional Garnishes:
- 1 can (13.66 ounces or 403 milliliters) full fat coconut milk
- Additional lime wedges for serving
- Thinly sliced red chili (optional)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Chopped Thai basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious skillet and warm it over medium-high temperature, adding of cooking oil. Carefully sear the chicken breasts, creating a golden-brown exterior on both surfaces for approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a holding plate.
- Without cleaning the skillet, introduce the remaining oil along with finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté the aromatics on medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent burning, until the onions become translucent and develop a light caramel hue, roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate diced chili peppers (optional), freshly grated lime zest, and creamy coconut milk into the skillet. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle boil while using a wooden spoon to dislodge flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan’s bottom.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, carefully nestle the seared chicken pieces back into the fragrant sauce. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken and continue cooking for an additional 6-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Enhance the sauce’s complexity by drizzling fish sauce and freshly squeezed lime juice. Season with salt to taste, and finish by garnishing with finely chopped fresh herbs just before serving.
Notes
- Customize this tropical dish by adjusting spice levels with more or less chili for personal heat preference.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Marinate chicken beforehand in lime juice and coconut milk for deeper flavor infusion and tender meat.
- Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier preparation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, reheating gently to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 140mg