This tasty Thai Coconut Lime Chicken recipe is a fast, delicious, and healthy that's easy 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 easy to follow format.
Thailand is one of my favorite places in the world. I'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 I've developed this Thai Coconut Lime Chicken recipe to be mild for those of us who love Thai flavors without the heat. That said, I'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 easy recipe that can help any home cook elevate your home-cooking game to legendary status.
✈️ Interested in traveling to Thailand? Read my 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 just 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 easy to spice it up!
- Delicious 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 easy to add the fifth main component - spicy - if you want!
🍈 Ingredient notes
This Thai coconut chicken recipe calls for simple ingredients that are easy 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. I 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 delicious 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 easy 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 just a ½ 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.
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
I love to serve this Thai-inspired recipe over plain rice. You could use brown rice, like our Instant Pot Cilantro Brown Rice. Or serve it over white rice, like our Instant Pot Garlic Rice, or Instant Pot Basmati Rice. You could also serve this over cauliflower rice.
It's also delicious 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 Instant Pot Broccoli. Or add a popular Thai appetizer like Thai Curry Puffs.
🍷 Wine pairings
I love a crisp, lively Riesling with this delicious 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 easy 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.
Thai Coconut Lime Chicken
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 just 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 just until the basil and cilantro leaves have softened.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Jillian says
This was delicious and really easy. I added a heaping spoonful of canned diced jalapeños; it needed some heat. Served over jasmine rice. I bet tomorrow’s leftovers will be even better!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So happy to hear you loved this recipe, Jillian! Thank you for sharing!
CAFFAHOLIC says
wow! this is so delicious and turned out to be super good...tried this already..thanks for sharing and a happy Christmas to you :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
so glad you enjoyed it!
Brittany says
This was beyond amazing! I love pretty much all chicken dishes! I love thai food too! It's definitely one of my favorite types of food for date nights with the hubby too!
Rachel says
This is so good! I love Thai food and this is something my family really enjoys.
Holly says
I've made this recipe in the past. I just love the flavor combinations. It is also pretty easy to make.
Rachel says
Oh my I'm in curry heaven. We love this Thai coconut chicken curry and have it at least once a month. My girls love it.
Vaishnavi says
Wow, what an amazing recipe for the season. Love this - so yum!!
Irina says
I am such a big fan of coconut milk. I love soup with coconut milk in it. This is so good. Can't wait to make it again.
Leah says
This is such a delicious meal! What a great flavors!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you, Leah!
Belle says
Was amazing! everyone loved this!
Robin Rue says
This is so delicious! I am loving all of the different flavors.
Yona Williams says
I love dishes that incorporate coconut, so this was right up my alley. I also like the use of lime and ginger in the recipe.
CourtneyLynne says
Omg can we say yum?!?! I just love coconut and am so glad I gave this recipe a try!