Coconut Lime Curried Chicken Thighs
Coconut lime curried chicken thighs are a flavorful and easy dish to make. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of coconut milk, lime juice, lime zest, curry powder, salt, and pepper. The chicken is then seared in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through. The result is a juicy, flavorful chicken with a slightly spicy and tangy flavor. This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Thai cuisine, a staple of street food and fine dining alike, is beloved for its heady combination of sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and bitter. Take pad thai for example. The dish features the harmonious interplay of tamarind's pucker, fish sauce's savoriness, and palm sugar's comforting sweetness. These flavor combinations are as much a part of Thai cooking as the ingredients themselves. But while myriad Thai dishes have found international fame and recognition, there remains a vast culinary landscape waiting to be discovered beyond the borders of the most popular street food stalls and restaurants. Today's recipe ventures into a lesser-known corner of the Thai culinary world, with a dish that captures the essence of Thai cooking's nuanced flavor profile. Coconut lime curried chicken thighs offer a medley of tangy, sweet, and savory notes. The secret lies in the marinade, which combines the vibrant flavors of coconut milk, lime juice, and lime zest. The chicken is then seared until golden brown, giving it a crispy exterior while preserving its juicy interior. The final step involves simmering the chicken in a mixture of coconut milk, curry powder, and chicken broth. This step infuses the chicken with a rich and aromatic flavor, creating a harmonious symphony of spices that dance upon the palate.
Coconut Lime Curried Chicken Thighs Coconut Lime Curried Chicken Thighs Coconut Lime Curried Chicken Thighs Coconut Lime Curried Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 40 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
  • 2 limes, juiced and zested
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine coconut milk, lime juice, lime zest, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet, heat some coconut oil over medium heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add diced onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  7. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
  8. Serve hot over cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables.
Why It Works
  • Marinating the chicken in a mixture of coconut milk, lime juice, lime zest, curry powder, salt, and pepper helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor.
  • Searing the chicken in a skillet until golden brown creates a crispy exterior while preserving the chicken's juicy interior.
  • Simmering the chicken in a mixture of coconut milk, curry powder, and chicken broth infuses the chicken with a rich and aromatic flavor.