5 from 17 votes

Coconut Chicken Curry with Lime

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This Coconut Chicken Curry recipe with Lime is a super fast (just 20 minutes) tasty dinner, packed with flavor and color, easy to make while you cook some rice!

Step by step photos and instructions below!

Coconut Chicken Curry - overhead shot, vertical, white bowl with limes and cilantro

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This is one of my favorite week night dinners, super quick and easy to make and on the table FAST. We refer to it as “curry in a hurry” because it is done in about 20 minutes but still packs a huge punch of flavor that is easily customizable to your palate.

We LOVE the flavors of lime and cilantro, and pair this curry with plain rice, jasmine rice, cauliflower rice or step it up and make Cilantro Lime Rice. Get a little fancy and make some Garlic Naan to go with it!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Fast. Done in under 30 minutes
  • Easy. Just a few ingredients, nothing crazy.
  • Delicious. Such a great recipe to make for the whole family.
  • Gluten Free. Check your ingredients (like curry powder) to be sure it’s gluten free, but otherwise you’re good to go!
coconut curry in a white bowl with limes

Kylee’s Notes

Substitutions/Additions

If you like curry to be super deep and rich, add a little more curry powder.

Cook your rice in chicken broth if you want to add a boost of flavor.

Like it rich and decadent? Switch the coconut milk for coconut cream!

Prefer chicken thighs to breasts? No worries!

What to serve

What to do with leftovers

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat to piping hot!

Can you freeze chicken coconut curry? 

Absolutely – this will freeze and reheat really well. Just reheat while you make some rice, and stir through some fresh cilantro, and you’re done!

Is coconut chicken curry healthy?

Well, essentially yes. The only thing that bumps up the fat content is the coconut milk. Switch regular for light, if this is important to you!

Key Recipe Ingredients

Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below

ingredients laid out and labeled
  • Vegetable Oil – just regular grocery store vegetable oil
  • Chicken – I use breast meat, but thighs are also super tasty (but will affect the nutrition numbers)
  • Garlic – mince it yourself, or buy it already minced!! I’m not judging. Mainly because I do this myself…
  • Curry Powder – go for a good quality one. I like this curry powder. If you like a deeper flavored curry, add an extra teaspoon!
  • Diced Chilies – buy these in the international aisle of your grocery store. Grab a couple, (you can also use them in my Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas Recipe)
  • Coconut Milk- you can use light or regular for this, or even coconut cream if you like it extra decadent
  • Lime – we use the zest AND the juice, so do yourself a favor and zest before juicing. Just trust me.
  • Cilantro – fresh is always best!

square image of coconut curry in a white bowl with limes

How to make this recipe

Scroll for Recipe

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Dice the chicken, mince your garlic, zest and juice your lime. Heat oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat, and add the chicken. Cook chicken until golden brown (it won’t be fully cooked yet)

cooking chicken in a skillet

Add the garlic, then the curry powder, and cook for a minute.

step by step - showing how to make chicken curry

Add the diced chilies, the coconut milk, and the lime juice/zest and bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium and allow sauce to thicken and the chicken is cooked.

adding chiles to curry in a skillet
chicken curry thickening in a skillet

Stir through the chopped cilantro, and serve with rice and plenty of the sauce. Check of seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired. Devour.

coconut curry in a white bowl with limes

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square image of coconut curry in a white bowl with limes
5 from 17 votes

Coconut Chicken Curry with Lime

Servings 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Coconut Chicken Curry with Lime is a super fast and tasty dinner, packed with flavor and color, easy to make while you cook some rice!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 cloves minced garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 14oz coconut milk
  • 4oz can diced green chiles
  • Zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes (chicken should be golden brown).
  • Add 3 cloves minced garlic, cook 30 seconds, then add 2 teaspoons curry powder and cook, stirring for another minute.
  • Add 14oz coconut milk, 4oz can diced green chiles, Zest and juice of 1 lime.
  • Bring to a simmer, then turn down heat and cook until the chicken is just cooked, about 5 minutes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Remove from the heat, stir in 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro.
  • Serve over rice.
  • Garnish with a little cilantro.
  • Devour.

Video

Notes

 

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Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 174mg | Potassium: 1216mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 530IU | Vitamin C: 40.3mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 4.8mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Did you make this recipe?

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Kylee Cooks in the kitchen

About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee

5 from 17 votes (1 rating without comment)

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19 Comments

  1. debi at Life Currents says:

    My family will love this recipe. All that flavor and looks pretty easy to make too!

  2. This sounds perfect!! Love all the flavors in it – definitely going on my to-make list!

  3. I love dishes that allow me too cook something else at the same time. This is so good I’ve stumbled upon yours because I was loooking for a decent chicken recipe that would allow me to also make a few sides. Thank you!

  4. I love a good curry, but HATE how long it can take to build the flavor so I LOVE that yours is ready in 20 minutes! I know this will be a hit in my house.

  5. Cheese Curd In Paradise says:

    This is quickly going on my weekly meal plan! Since I am teaching this semester quick dinners are an essential for me and the family. We love curry and I know this will be a big hit!

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