Zesty Coconut Cilantro Chicken Recipe for Weeknights

Weeknight dinners demand bold, vibrant flavors that wake up tired taste buds, and this coconut cilantro chicken delight recipe delivers pure culinary excitement.

Tender chicken pieces nestled in a creamy, herb-infused sauce promise an adventure for your palate.

The combination of rich coconut milk and fresh cilantro creates a harmonious blend that transports you straight to tropical paradise.

Fragrant spices dance through each bite, promising a meal that’s both comforting and exotic.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this dish a weeknight hero.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, this recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dining experience.

Dive into this delectable meal and let your senses celebrate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Coconut Cilantro Chicken Ingredient List

• Butter: Adds rich, velvety foundation and helps sauté vegetables with depth.
• Shredded Carrot: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, subtle spice that complements chicken beautifully.
• Ginger: Provides zesty, aromatic kick with subtle heat.
• Paprika: Delivers mild smoky undertone and beautiful reddish hue.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other ingredients.

• Chicken Broth: Creates savory liquid base with deep, hearty flavor.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh, bright herbal notes and classic Mexican-inspired taste.
• Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Delivers creamy, tropical richness without excessive sweetness.
• Lime Juice: Introduces tangy brightness and helps balance rich ingredients.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes umami depth and subtle saltiness.

• Chopped Chicken: Provides lean protein and serves as main substantial element.
• White Rice: Offers comforting, neutral base that absorbs surrounding flavors perfectly.

Kitchen Tools for Coconut Cilantro Chicken

• Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for building the flavorful base and cooking the entire dish.
• Blender: Perfect for quickly chopping cilantro and mixing it smoothly with chicken broth.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping chicken and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure broth, coconut milk, and other liquid ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures precise seasoning with spices and sauces.

Cooking Coconut Cilantro Chicken the Easy Way

• Aromatic Foundation

Create a flavorful base by melting butter with shredded carrots and warm spices in a large pot. The gentle heat coaxes out rich, complex flavors that will define the dish’s character.

• Cilantro Infusion

Blend fresh cilantro with chicken broth to create a vibrant green liquid that will transform the soup’s depth and brightness. Pour this herbaceous mixture into the simmering pot.

• Creamy Chicken Harmony

Introduce tender chicken pieces, coconut milk, and cooked rice into the bubbling mixture. The coconut milk will create a luxurious, silky texture that envelops the other ingredients.

• Final Flavor Boost

Finish the dish with a splash of lime juice and soy sauce. Let everything meld together over gentle heat, allowing the flavors to dance and intertwine into a cohesive, comforting meal.

Tips to Enhance Coconut Cilantro Chicken Flavor

• Spice Level Adjustment: Kick up the heat by adding fresh jalapeños or red pepper flakes for those who love a fiery twist. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to suit your taste buds.
• Protein Swap: Experiment with different proteins like shrimp, tofu, or tender turkey instead of chicken. Each alternative brings a unique flavor profile to this comforting dish.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to increase nutritional value and add more texture to the soup. Chop them finely for best integration.
• Rice Options: Try brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice as healthy alternatives to white rice. Each grain brings its own subtle flavor and nutritional benefits to the meal.
• Herb Freshness: For an extra burst of flavor, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, chopped green onions, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes just before serving. These toppings add a vibrant finish to the dish.

How to Serve Coconut Cilantro Chicken Right

• Tropical Dinner Party Centerpiece: Serve this vibrant chicken dish as the star of your gathering, surrounded by colorful side dishes that complement its rich flavors.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, toasted coconut flakes, and a squeeze of lime on top to add brightness and texture that elevates the entire meal.
• Rice Bowl Remix: Transform leftovers into a delicious rice bowl by adding extra coconut milk, topping with sliced green onions, and serving in individual ceramic bowls for a quick and satisfying lunch option.
• Spice Level Customization: Offer hot sauce or red pepper flakes on the side, allowing guests to adjust the heat intensity to their personal preference and create a personalized dining experience.

Keeping Coconut Cilantro Chicken Tasty Later

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to blend and intensify, making each reheated serving even more delicious.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion out the chicken soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months, providing a quick meal solution for busy days.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Prep-Ahead Power Move: Chop vegetables and measure spices in advance, storing them separately. This quick-prep approach cuts cooking time and makes weeknight meals a breeze.

Crispy Coconut Cilantro Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Coconut cilantro chicken delight brings tropical flavors from Mexico’s coastal regions to dinner tables worldwide. Creamy coconut milk and fresh cilantro create a harmonious blend you’ll crave with each savory bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 0.5 lb (226 g) chicken, shredded and finely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 15 oz (443 ml) coconut milk, unsweetened (1 can)
• 1 cup white rice, cooked
• 1 cup carrot, shredded (about 1 large carrot)
• 0.5 bunch cilantro
• 3 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps lime juice (about 1 fresh lime)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 0.25 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp ginger
• 0.25 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Setup: Melt butter in a spacious pot over medium-low heat, combining shredded carrots with warming spices including cinnamon, ginger, paprika, and salt. Gently cook until carrots soften and release their aromatic essence.
2. Herb Infusion: Transform fresh cilantro and chicken broth into a vibrant green liquid by briefly pulsing in a blender. Pour this herbaceous base into the pot with caramelized carrots, creating a robust foundation for the dish.
3. Flavor Fusion: Introduce creamy unsweetened coconut milk to the simmering mixture, carefully adding tender chicken pieces and fluffy white rice. Enhance the profile with a bright splash of lime juice and umami-rich soy sauce, stirring to integrate all components harmoniously.
4. Simmering Perfection: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, interconnected flavors. Cook until chicken is thoroughly heated, rice becomes tender, and the liquid reduces slightly, creating a luxurious, cohesive texture.
5. Finishing Touch: Remove from heat and let the dish rest briefly, allowing residual warmth to marry the intricate flavor profile. Serve immediately in warmed bowls, garnishing with additional fresh cilantro if desired for an extra burst of herbal brightness.

Notes

• Herb Blending Technique: Pulse cilantro and broth quickly to prevent over-processing, which can turn herbs bitter and muddy the vibrant green color.
• Spice Layering Strategy: Toast spices with carrots first to enhance their depth and release essential oils, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Coconut Milk Tip: Use unsweetened coconut milk to control overall dish sweetness and maintain a balanced, savory character.
• Temperature Control: Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent chicken from becoming tough and ensure rice cooks evenly without breaking down.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg