{Whole30} Coconut Lime Chicken
A skillet chicken dish with wonderful flavors of coconut, lime and coriander. So tasty and healthy!
For me, starting the Whole-30 program was never easy. I was used to eating rice and bread everyday. I eat chocolate everyday and drink sugary drinks almost everyday. “How in the world would I survive this program?” – I asked myself.
Meal planning: Meal planning is the first step I did. Although I always plan what meals to prepare for a week or two, planning whole-30 compliant dishes was not easy at first. There are many things to consider like there should’t be anything dairy, any form of sugar, sugar, legumes, etc. So I carefully searched for recipes that are whole-30 compliant and Pinterest helped me a lot.
Certified total spender: During the whole-30 program, you will spend money way too much, at least that’s what happened to me. As I am following what’s in the whole-30 compliant recipe, I feel the need to follow what’s in the list of ingredients. Before the program, I could just settle for a whole chicken and cook whatever my tummy feels to eat regardless of the ingredients I’ll cook with it.
I used my pans, pots and oven way too much. Since I cannot consume what’s inside the fridge or anything I wanted to eat like before, I had to cook more. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen more than the usual. I had printed recipes taped to the cupboards like I was going to take a bar exam.
Hungry, but not HANGRY. Of course, I felt hungry, but not to the point that I get furious when I cannot eat this or that. As far as I can remember, no serious cravings. The only thing I craved for are potatoes, spinach and eggs. No chocolate – hooray!
Read labels. I always read food labels when I want to buy something I am not sure about. When I have a doubt, I put it back on the shelf and think of an alternative, if there is. If not, I leave the store, but not with a heavy heart.
I kinda love Whole-30 compliant dishes. I quite enjoyed browsing Pinterest for whole-30 compliant dishes. I have tried some of the recipes on my Pinterest board and they were absolutely delicious! And of of them is my version of this coconut lime chicken.
This is a one-pan chicken dish that’s full of flavorful stuff like coconut, lime and coriander. This is exceptionally good. The combination of the flavors is so perfect. I am sure addition of baby spinach would be great as well. I would love to make this again. Hmm, by the weekend? 😛
The chicken can be shredded and turned into a soup. Get that bowl of yours and place a serving, top with more coriander and squeeze of lime juice. I made that version as well and it was fantastic. At first, I served this first with my cauliflower rice – oh, it was the best! The second day, I turned this dish into a soup. I am more convinced now that healthy dishes are delicious, too. 😉
I hope you all love this one as I am also taking this delicious dish at Fiesta Friday #161, co-hosted by Laura. Thanks, Angie and Laura. <3
Coconut Lime Chicken
- Difficulty: easy
Ingredients:
- 3-4 boneless and skinless tender chicken breasts
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 red chili, sliced
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, homemade or organic
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped (more to garnish)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp arrowroot* starch dissolved in 1 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Sprinkle each chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In large skillet or deep pan with medium-high heat, add coconut oil.
- Add in chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes each side or until brown in color.
- Remove the chicken and transfer into a plate.
- Add in onion and cook until translucent.
- Add in red chili and cook for another minute.
- Add in lime juice, chicken stock and coriander. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add in coconut milk and chicken. Simmer again for about 10 minutes.
- Add in arrowroot starch and water mixture. Set the fire to high and once boiling, reduce the heat again to low. Cook until sauce is a little thick or for 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and garnish with more chopped coriander and/or sliced red chili.
Notes:
*If not in Whole 30 program, cornstarch can be used instead of arrowroot
I used homemade chicken broth
Source recipe: Coconut Lime Chicken by A Saucy Kitchen
Also sharing at
28 Comments
Ali
This looks amazing! I love the combination of coconut and lime – but never thought to combine it with chicken. This is definitely going on my need to make list.
Jhuls
This is my first time trying coconut and lime together and it’s so good! 😀 Thanks for stopping by.
hijackedbytwins
Oh my! This chicken looks and sounds amazing. I love the flavours that you have incorporated together. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Jhuls
I am glad you liked the dish. Thanks for stopping by. x
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Jhuls
My pleasure. Thanks, Helen. x
Corina
It looks delicious! I’d happily follow a diet where I could eat this! I haven’t really looked into Whole 30 but sounds like it is a good way to eat.
Jhuls
No sugar, but I could live with it for few more weeks maybe. 😀 Thanks, Corina. x
Corina
And thank you so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons
Hello Jhuls, I am looking forward to hearing how the Whole 30 has made a difference in how you feel. My problem would not be with sugar and bread, but with the dairy.
Jhuls
I am not much into dairy, thank goodness! 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Liz. x
Kearin
This feels like it could go in the slow cooker – especially if you made it into a soup! Cutting out bread is torture since I love to make bread as well as eat it…
Jhuls
I was instantly tortured when I found out about the rules, but I am glad I made a good choice. I am making bread in a week, so I could say that I will be cheating this time. 😀 Thanks for stopping by. x
Char
This sounds and looks delicious. We’ve tried some Paleo but not Whole30. Thanks for sharing at Family Joy Blog linkup!
Jhuls
I think Paleo doesn’t allow white/yellow potatoes? But honey or other sweetener is fine?
Thanks for stopping by. x
Debbie Spivey
What a wonderful and flavorful dish you created here Jhuls. I really need to try the cauliflower rice. Yum!!
Jhuls
The chicken is perfect with cauliflower rice. Thanks, Debbie. x
Laura @ Feast Wisely
Great to see your cauliflower rice featuring here Jhuls – and so good to hear the whole 30 routine is working for you. Happy Fiesta Friday too and thanks for the shout out!
Jhuls
I am feeling happy doing this whole 30 thing. 😀 Thanks, Laura. x
Elaine @ foodbod
I have every belief that you will feel good for following this programme, you are removing inflammatory foods from your diet, which can only be good 🙂
Enjoy the flavours and the new habits and, of course, the food! x
Jhuls
I am very much enjoying the new habits. I am having fun discovering new foods. I am planning to do another round starting tomorrow, hoping that I can keep up for another 30 days. If not, I am sure I’ll eat healthier stuff this time… Hmm, maybe very little sugar in between…😂😋 Thanks, Elaine. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.😘
Elaine @ foodbod
The more you do it, and the more you feel good, the easier it will be to include new healthier choices into your daily eating habits 🙂 x
Jhuls
It’s funny and amazing how I am searching more whole 30 recipes now than sweets💃🏻 It feels really good
Elaine @ foodbod
Brilliant!!!! Your body will thank you xx
Indu
Hi Jhuls, i am so glad that you are finally doing a healthy diet program! I am sure it will help you a lot! Hope you are keeping well! This chicken dish looks wonderful! I also love my healthy diet although I agree with you that there’s definitely a lot of cooking involved. I am cooking like crazy from morning till evening since I cook paleo meals for myself and then regular healthy meals for my family!
Jhuls
I finished first round of whole 30 on Thursday and will do a second round tomorrow. I love this program as I saw positive results. Thanks a lot, Indu. I wish that you are feeling better. Hugs to you, my friend!💜
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons
What a great combination of flavors!
Jhuls
I am planning to make this again during the coming week to add up to my weekly meal. Maybe I’ll just just slice the chicken into small strips. Thanks a lot, Liz. Enjoy your weekend!