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Baked Coconut Lime Chicken is a tasty weeknight meal that's made in one skillet and comes together in under 30 minutes. Chicken is pan-seared, then coated in a creamy coconut milk sauce and then baked to perfection.
What can I say? I've been on a real chicken kick lately. Normally, I tend to gravitate more towards salmon (hellooooo honey soy salmon) or even tofu (like in my spicy tofu enchiladas), but lately I've been really into chicken, specifically this creamy coconut lime chicken.
See, this recipe is a super easy weeknight meal, and it tastes a little savory and a little sweet. Trust me, coconut, lime and chicken DO pair well together!
Recipe features
- A baked chicken recipe that's ready in under 30 minutes and can be served alongside rice or any type of roasted vegetable.
- Uses easy-to-find ingredients like coconut milk, chicken broth and cilantro to create the most delicious, creamy sauce.
- Is made in one skillet, which makes the prep work and clean up super simple.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts; can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer (see notes below)
- Coconut milk - Canned, preferably full fat coconut milk for optimal flavor
- All purpose flour - Can sub arrowroot starch to keep this gluten free
- Brown sugar - Can sub coconut sugar if you prefer
Method
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375°, then heat oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. While the oil is warming, combine the flour and cilantro in a bowl, then dip each chicken breast into that mixture, placing it directly into the hot skillet.
Step 2: Next, pan-sear the chicken. You'll want to pan-sear it for 3-4 minutes per side, or until it's golden brown.
Step 3: While the chicken is searing, whisk the coconut milk, chicken broth, sugar, and juice from 1 lime together in a bowl.
Step 4: Add the garlic to the skillet and let it simmer for 30 seconds, then remove the skillet from the heat and pour in the coconut milk mixture. Place the entire skillet into the oven and bake the chicken until it's cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Finally, drizzle the cooked chicken with the remaining lime juice, then sprinkle it with salt, pepper, extra cilantro, and a handful of chopped green onions.
Notes and FAQs
- If your chicken breasts seem too large, or if you want to serve more people, simply slice each chicken breast in half length-ways to create thinner breasts. If you do this, you can cut the bake time in half (bake for 5-8 minutes instead of 10-15).
- The combination of coconut oil and olive oil creates a savory-sweet flavor as you're pan-searing the chicken. If you don't have both, you can use one or the other.
- Want to bulk this up? Feel free to add a few veggies to the skillet before baking (think: spinach, red onion and/or sliced shiitake mushrooms).
- Always taste test the chicken once it's done and adjust seasonings as needed. Want it to have more lime flavor? Add some lime zest on top. Want to increase the coconut-y flavor? Add a little more coconut oil to the sauce.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yup! I'd use boneless, skinless thighs, and you'll follow the same steps, but you'll bake the chicken for less time, probably closer to 5-8 minutes.
What should I serve this with?
This meal is delicious on top of rice, or with a side of vegetables, like Instant Pot broccoli or my easy fried brussels sprouts.
Can this be made gluten free/Paleo? What about Whole30?
Yes -- simply use arrowroot starch instead of all purpose flour to keep this recipe paleo-friendly. For a whole30 version, follow the above steps and omit the sugar.
More chicken recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts about 4 total chicken breasts
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped, plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 cup coconut milk
- â…” cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or sub coconut sugar
- 2 limes
- 1 green onion chopped, for garnish
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Heat a large, oven-safe skillet or dutch oven over medium heat, then add the coconut oil and olive oil.
- Combine the flour and cilantro in a bowl, then dip each chicken breast into the mixture until coated, placing it directly into the hot skillet. Pan-sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until slightly browned. Once the chicken is almost done, add the minced garlic and let it cook down for 30 seconds or so.
- While the chicken is searing, mix the coconut milk, broth, sugar, and juice from 1 lime in a bowl.
- Remove skillet from the heat, then pour the coconut milk mixture over top of the chicken. Place the skillet into the oven and bake the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°.
- Remove skillet from the oven, and drizzle the remaining lime juice (juice from 1 lime) over the chicken. Sprinkle everything with salt, pepper, extra chopped cilantro and chopped green onions and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in April 2016. It was updated with new text and photos in September 2020.
Polly says
Very easy preparation and very yummy!!
Erin says
Thanks Polly!
Kim C. says
This was absolutely delicious!!!
Made it in a cast iron skillet and added mushrooms and red onion just before putting it in the oven. I didn't get a lot of lime flavor from the sauce initially but adding the second one after cooking gave it the perfect amount! I served this over a basil orzo and it was the best thing I've made in a long time!!
Erin says
Thanks for the kind comment, Kim! I'm so glad you liked the chicken.
Celeste says
Thanks, Erin, its a new family favorite. I'm an expat living in Taiwan, and is lovely to be able to cook a dish which my daughter's in law actually like!
Erin says
This makes me so happy -- I'm glad everyone enjoyed it!
Grace says
Erin, it was excellent. I had a few pieces of it. I would recommend cutting the chicken breast in half if it is too big. Very tasty and simply delicious.
Erin says
Thanks Grace (and great tip!) -- happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Beth says
Made this was salmon filets and it was AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩 Thank you!
Erin says
Woohooo -- glad it works with salmon too!
Aileen Crisonino says
Easy and delicious. We love the dish served over rice.
Erin says
So glad you like it!
Crissy says
This was delicious! I served it with basmati rice and green beans. A definite make again!
Erin says
Thanks for the review, Crissy -- so happy you liked it!
Mariah Buss says
Such a great recipe!! Perfect over a taco bowl!! 🧡🧡
Lauren says
Just made this and I’m in love! I was a little apprehensive about coconut milk with chicken since I worried it would be too sweet. It was perfect though! Just the right amount of sweetness and the coconut flavor was subtle yet still distinguishable. The chicken is super juicy too. I don’t have a cast iron skillet so I made this in two dishes: I seared the chicken on a frying pan and then transferred it to a deep baking dish for the oven portion. It turned out great! ...although this recipe alone is making me think I ought to just get a cast iron skillet so I can make this all the time!
Erin says
Thanks for the comment, Lauren -- I'm so happy you liked it!
Fatimah says
So delicious. First time ever using coconut milk in cooking. We loved it so much! Can’t wait to explore more of her recipes!!
Erin says
I'm so happy everyone liked it!
Vee james says
I will definitely try this I love anything chicken
An I love coconut so perfect together
And congrats an your wedding
Christina says
I love that you used brown sugar. Such a great addition! Love the simplicity of this recipe - always the best way!
Erin says
Simple IS best and brown sugar=extra sweetness=necessary.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I loveeee skillet chicken. Coconut + cilantro sounds like a fabulous combo! And... I'm working on getting to the point where I'm ahead on recipes and posts and all that... but I think school throws a little bit of a wrench in those plans. I have a whole bunch of ideas, but not quite as much time to execute. 😛 I'd say you're doing juuuust fine 🙂
Erin says
I am the saaaaame way. A huge list of 'things to make' and not enough time to make them! We'll get there 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Girl, I am no where near July with my recipes. I'm happy just to have *barely* enough content for April!
The good news is that summertime is slow for blogging anyways so if you miss a few posts here and there, it won't make a huge difference. Make sure you relax and enjoy your wedding and honeymoon!
p.s. you know I don't eat chicken but these pics are gorg and I love the flavor combos. 🙂
Erin says
Oh good! That genuinely makes me feel better 🙂 And yeah you're so right--thanks Sarah!
Diana says
Just give me coconut everything please! This looks so easy and delicious...a perfect weeknight meal!
Erin says
Yessss coconut everything for you and me both! Thanks Diana 🙂
ACKTIVE LIFE says
I love one pot/pan dinners...It is typically how I eat almost all week...It is so easy and delicious and it blends all the flavors...It is a win win for me! 🙂
Erin says
Yes I agree--one pan meals ftw!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Beautiful...the flavor..yes!
This is when I never have to worry about not having posts...by mass stock pile. I always have about 80 recipes "in que". No lies...
Erin says
Whaaaaat no way hahah that's impressive!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Oooh this looks so good! I love panfried chicken in general, but these flavors sound so good. Good luck planning out your July stuff! I rarely post recipes, so I can throw posts together a day or two in advance and be fine, but I imagine with all the photo editing you've got a lot of work on your hands!
Erin says
I doooo hahah it's ok! I just need to up my game a bit and I'll be fine. Thanks Kelly!
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says
Ahhhh yummmm for coconut-flavored things! Especially in chicken! I would never think to do that. I'll definitely be giving this a try, I LOVE skillet recipes. Also, if I'm ever in Pittsburgh, I'm coming over so I can eat this hahaha
Erin says
Skillet recipes are the BEST and let me know if you're ever in the pittsburgh area!
cottercrunch says
i'm sorry, were you talking in that post? all i was doing was staring and drooling. No joke! LOL! I love this meal!!
Erin says
Haha thank you friend!!