Description
Tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy unsweetened coconut milk sauce with tomatoes, garlic, onion, and warm spices—made in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (to taste)
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 small yellow onion (finely diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups seeded and diced tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)
- 14 ounces unsweetened coconut milk (shaken and stirred)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Shake the can of coconut milk well, open it, and stir to combine. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper until blended.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Rub seasoning all over the chicken, add to the skillet, and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until browned and nearly cooked through. Remove chicken and keep covered.
- Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes until tender, then stir in garlic and cook about 20 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste until combined, then add tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in coconut milk, bring to a simmer, and simmer about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return chicken to the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 4 to 5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Taste sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Use full-fat unsweetened coconut milk for the creamiest sauce.
- Adjust cayenne to your heat preference or omit for a mild dish.
- Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or with naan, then finish with a squeeze of lime.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 341
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 941
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 26
- Cholesterol: 73