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Easy Coconut Lime Chicken Skillet – Whole30, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Family Dinner

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This Whole30 coconut lime chicken skillet is a flavorful, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly recipe made in one pan. Tender chicken breasts are cooked to perfection and simmered in a creamy coconut lime sauce infused with onion, garlic, ginger, cilantro, and spices. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s an ideal healthy dinner for the family or a convenient meal prep option for lunches throughout the week.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise to have 4 flatter cutlets
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 1.5 cups canned full-fat coconut cream
  • ¼ cup lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon coriander

Instructions

  1. Warm olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
  2. Place chicken cutlets in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  3. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger to skillet. Sauté until onion is browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from skillet bottom.
  5. Stir in coconut cream, lime juice, dried basil, and coriander, mixing with browned bits.
  6. Bring sauce to gentle simmer, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken.
  7. Stir in chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes, if using. Nestle chicken cutlets back into sauce and cover, simmer additional 5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
  8. Adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot over rice or vegetables. Garnish with cilantro, red pepper flakes, and lime wedges.

Notes

  • Increase red pepper flakes for spicier dish.
  • Pairs well with cauliflower rice or basmati rice.
  • Use full-fat coconut cream for creamier sauce; coconut milk may be too thin.
  • Ensure skillet is well-heated before adding chicken for a good sear.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and gently reheated.
  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg