This tasty Thai Coconut Lime Chicken recipe is a fast, tasty, and healthy that's simple to make and full of flavor. Perfect Thai recipe for a special occasion dinner or for any busy weeknight!
This post was originally published on January 13, 2017. It was updated and republished on January 5, 2024 with new photos, new helpful content, and the recipe has been slightly re-written in an simple to follow format.
Thailand is one of the favorite places in the world. We've always been obsessed with Thai food's signature salty, sweet, sour, and creamy components all on one plate. Which is why you'll find so many Thai recipes on this blog!
Typically, Thai food is also spicy. But We've developed this Thai Coconut Lime Chicken recipe to be mild for those of us who love Thai flavors without the heat. That said, We've got tips for adding the heat down below, too, for you spice fanatics!
As the tantalizing scent of Thai spices filling the air, this recipe will transport you to the bustling streets of Bangkok. It's an simple recipe that can help any home cook elevate your home-cooking game to legendary status.
✈️ Interested in traveling to Thailand? Read the Thailand travel guides here.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
Thai Coconut Lime Chicken recipe has ginger and lime, giving it lovely sweet, mild flavor with lots of brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness. It's truly a dish the whole family will love!
- One-pan meal – You cook everything for the main dish in one pan. Less mess, less clean-up afterward!
- Quick – You can make this Thai chicken dish in simply about 30 minutes, from start to finish.
- Adjust the heat – This recipe makes a flavorful, mild dish, which is perfect for the entire family to enjoy. But it's simple to spice it up!
- Tasty Thai flavors – With a creamy coconut sauce, pungent garlic and ginger, and tart lime, this yummy chicken dish has the main components that make up classic Thai dishes: salty, sweet, sour, and creamy. And it's simple to add the fifth main component – spicy – if you want!
🍈 Ingredient notes
This Thai coconut chicken recipe calls for simple ingredients that are simple to find in almost any grocery store.
- Chicken – You'll need two large skinless boneless chicken breasts. Or you could also substitute skinless boneless chicken thighs.
- Vegetables– You can use your favorite stir-fry veggies. We find crunchy red bell pepper to be perfect in this dish.
- Coconut milk– Use full-fat coconut milk and not light coconut milk for the best flavor and thickness in the sauce. You could also use coconut cream; if you use coconut cream and you find the sauce too thick, you can thin it with a little water or lime juice.
- Aromatics – Fresh ginger and fresh garlic add classic Thai flavors and aromas to this dish.
- Limes– Fresh lime juice adds a tasty citrus flavor that makes for a great flavor combination with the Thai spices.
- Herbs– Chopped fresh cilantro and fresh basil (or Thai basil) leaves add some bright herbaceous flavors that compliment the sauce well.
Optional ingredients:
- Add a teaspoon of fish sauce or soy sauce for even richer, umami flavor.
- Other vegetables that work well in this recipe include snow peas, bok choy, and broccoli.
- Add a bit of freshly grated lime zest to the sauce for even brighter acidity.
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
The complete list of ingredients along with detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here is a quick step-by-step guide to help you make this simple coconut lime chicken recipe!
- Slice chicken breasts into thin strips and season.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Lower heat to medium heat and transfer chicken to a plate when cooked.
- Add remaining olive oil to the skillet, then sauté the vegetables.
- Slowly add the coconut milk and lime juice. Stir, and bring to a low boil.
- Return chicken to the pan and finish with most of the chopped fresh basil and cilantro (leave some for garnish!).
👩🏻🍳 Cooking tips and recipe FAQs
This recipe makes a mild Thai sauce. Here are some ideas, using this recipe as a base:
- To add heat to this dish: you can add a little Thai red curry paste. Start with simply a 1/2 teaspoon then add more if you want. Or add a few chili peppers or red pepper flakes.
- Make a soup: Use double the amount of coconut milk and lime juice, and prepare it in a large stockpot to enjoy this as Thai coconut soup!
Cook time for the chicken depends on the size and thickness of your chicken. Chicken is done when a meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165°F.
What's the best way to store leftovers?Allow the Thai coconut chicken to cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
🍽️ Serving ideas
We love to serve this Thai-inspired recipe over plain rice. You could use brown rice, like our Pressure-cooker Cilantro Brown Rice. Or serve it over white rice, like our Pressure-cooker Garlic Rice, or Pressure-cooker Basmati Rice. You could also serve this over cauliflower rice.
It's also tasty served over quinoa, farro, or alongside Chili Garlic Noodles.
To complete the meal, add even more heart healthy veggies like this Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad or Pressure-cooker Broccoli. Or add a popular Thai appetizer like Thai Curry Puffs.
🍷 Wine pairings
We love a crisp, lively Riesling with this tasty Thai dish. Choose an aromatic Riesling with notes of white flower blossom and citrus. The high acidity helps balance the creamy coconut in this dish, and also brings out the subtle spices.
Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this simple chicken recipe? Here's what you'll need:
- Cutting board – You'll need a large wooden cutting board and sharp knife to prep the vegetables. Be sure to use a separate cutting board for the meat to avoid cross contamination.
- Large pan– Use a large stainless steel skillet or other large skillet.
- Wooden spoon – You'll need a wooden spoon to stir the ingredients together.
More simple Thai recipes
- Thai Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai)
- Thai Red Curry Dumpling Soup
- Thai Beef Noodle Salad
- 21+ Tasty Recipes to Celebrate Lunar New Year
Thai Coconut Lime Chicken
By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 4 people
One-Pan Thai Coconut Lime Chicken is a healthy, hearty meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 can (14.5 ounce) coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 7-10 medium basil leaves, roughly chopped or torn
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Slice chicken into thin strips and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken slices and cook until simply cooked through (see notes).
- Once the chicken is cooked, lower heat to medium and transfer chicken to a plate. Set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet, then add red peppers and sauté until slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes, stirring throughout.
- Add the garlic and ginger, stir for another minute.
- Slowly add coconut milk and lime juice. Stir, and bring to a low boil.
- Return chicken to the pan and stir in with the sauce. Add most of the freshly chopped basil and cilantro (leave some for garnish), and stir together, cooking simply until the basil and cilantro leaves have softened.
Notes
Makes approximately 4 servings. Storage: allow the chicken to cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days. Chicken doneness: Cook time for the chicken depends on the size and thickness of your chicken slices. Try to cut evenly sized slices so the chicken cooks up evenly. Chicken is done when a meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165°F.Nutrition
Calories: 392 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 30 g, Saturated Fat: 20 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 72 mg, Sodium: 146 mg, Potassium: 716 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 1020 IU, Vitamin C: 43 mg, Calcium: 30 mg, Iron: 4 mgNutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.