Sunshine Golden Coconut Turmeric Chicken Recipe for Joy

Warm spices and creamy coconut create a magical dance of flavors in this coconut turmeric chicken recipe that transports you straight to the vibrant kitchens of Southeast Asia.

The golden hue of turmeric promises a meal packed with both incredible taste and nourishing goodness.

Fragrant herbs and rich, velvety sauce coat tender chicken pieces in a symphony of delightful textures.

Each bite carries the complexity of carefully balanced spices that awaken your palate with subtle warmth and depth.

The recipe combines simple ingredients to craft something extraordinary and deeply satisfying.

Bold yet comforting, this dish turns an ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure that celebrates the magic of home cooking.

Let’s find out this delectable journey and savor every single spoonful of pure, aromatic bliss.

Kitchen Setup for Coconut Chicken That Sings

• Large skillet: Crucial for searing chicken and building rich flavors throughout the cooking process.
• Cutting board: Perfect for prepping vegetables and chicken with ease.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for dicing onions, bell peppers, and chopping cilantro precisely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients smoothly in the skillet.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with salt, pepper, and other spices.
• Tongs: Ideal for flipping and handling chicken during searing and cooking stages.

How to Cook Chicken in a Coconut Lime Sauce That Shines

• Flavor Foundation

Start by seasoning the chicken with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Heat a skillet and create a beautiful golden sear on each side of the chicken, developing rich, deep flavors.

• Aromatic Base

Remove the chicken and let the same pan work its magic. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic, allowing their natural sweetness and fragrance to bloom and fill your kitchen with incredible aromas.

• Creamy Harmony

Pour in chicken stock, a blend of warm spices, and luxurious coconut milk. Let everything simmer and meld together, transforming into a velvety, inviting sauce that promises comfort and excitement.

• Final Touch

Reintroduce the chicken to the pan, letting it finish cooking in the luscious sauce. Just before serving, add a burst of bright lime juice to elevate the entire dish with a tangy, refreshing twist.

• Vibrant Finale

Shower the dish with fresh, chopped cilantro. This green confetti adds a pop of color and a final layer of herbal brightness that makes the meal feel alive and complete.

Coconut Lime Cooking Tips to Make It Extra Creamy

• Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that complements the creamy coconut sauce perfectly.
• Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or fish for a delightful variation that keeps the tropical flavor profile intact.
• Prepare the sauce a day in advance to let the flavors meld and deepen, creating an even more intense taste experience.
• Serve over fluffy rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa to soak up the rich, creamy coconut lime sauce and make the meal more filling.
• No cilantro? Try fresh parsley or green onions as a zesty garnish that adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

Serve Coconut Lime Chicken with Bright Sides

• Tropical Island Plate Pairing: Spread the chicken over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, allowing the creamy coconut sauce to cascade and infuse each grain with incredible flavor.
• Zesty Garnish Explosion: Sprinkle extra fresh chopped cilantro, toasted coconut flakes, and thinly sliced green onions on top to add vibrant color and exciting texture contrasts.
• Summer Salad Companion: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with cucumber, mango chunks, and a light lime vinaigrette to complement the chicken's tropical notes and balance the dish's richness.
• Warming Side Magic: Pair with warm, buttery naan bread or soft tortillas to help guests soak up every delicious drop of the creamy coconut lime sauce.

How to Keep Coconut Lime Chicken Ready for Quick Meals

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, ensuring the chicken remains moist and flavorful for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers, which will maintain quality for approximately 2-3 months when sealed properly with minimal air exposure.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Gently warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to restore the creamy sauce's original texture and prevent drying out.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare the entire recipe in advance, dividing into individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners that taste just as delicious as freshly cooked.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Needed for Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates the main dish foundation, choose fresh, plump cuts with minimal fat for tender results.
• Chicken Stock: Enhances depth of flavor and provides moisture, select low-sodium varieties for better control of salt content.

• Onion, Red Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables that add sweetness and texture, pick firm, brightly colored bell peppers and crisp onions.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent undertones, select firm cloves without sprouting or soft spots.
• Lime Juice: Delivers bright, tangy notes that balance the creamy sauce, choose fresh limes for maximum zesty flavor.
• Red Chili Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity, adjust quantity based on personal spice tolerance.
• Cilantro: Offers fresh, herbal finish, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.

• Coconut Milk: Creates rich, creamy base with tropical undertones, opt for full-fat version for most luxurious texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds extra smoothness and richness to sauce, select high-quality dairy for best results.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create silky consistency, ensure no lumps when mixing.
• Olive Oil: Provides cooking medium and subtle flavor, choose extra virgin for best taste.
• Turmeric: Introduces warm, earthy notes and golden color, use fresh ground for maximum potency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper.

Creamy Coconut Turmeric Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Coconut Turmeric Chicken delivers complex spice notes from Southeast Asian kitchens. Kerala-inspired flavors blend rich coconut milk with warming turmeric, offering you a delightful culinary experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4–6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can (13.6 oz / 400 ml) coconut milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsps lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1–2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes
• ½ tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper, massaging the seasonings into the meat for comprehensive flavor penetration.
2. Searing: Ignite a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, strategically placing chicken breasts to achieve a golden-brown caramelized crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, then set aside while preserving pan drippings.
3. Aromatics: Reduce skillet heat to medium, introducing diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
4. Sauce Creation: Infuse the skillet with chicken stock, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and full-fat coconut milk, whisking continuously to develop a luxurious, velvety sauce that reduces and thickens over 5-6 minutes.
5. Chicken Integration: Gently reintroduce seared chicken breasts into the simmering coconut sauce, ensuring complete coating and cooking for 6-8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Finishing Touches: Elevate the dish with a vibrant lime juice drizzle and a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro, creating a harmonious blend of tangy and herbaceous notes before serving immediately.

Notes

• Sear for Maximum Flavor: Brown the chicken thoroughly to lock in juices and develop a delicious caramelized exterior that enhances overall taste profile.
• Coconut Milk Consistency: Use full-fat coconut milk for a richer, creamier sauce that provides depth and luxurious texture to the dish.
• Temperature Precision: Always check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.
• Lime Juice Timing: Add fresh lime juice at the very end to preserve its bright, zesty flavor and prevent bitter notes from developing during prolonged cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 735 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 119 mg