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Coconut lime chicken stir fry in a dark bowl over jasmine rice, topped with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge

Coconut Lime Chicken Stir Fry

A fast, high-heat stir fry with sliced chicken, crisp vegetables, and a coconut milk and lime sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and served over jasmine rice.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

Chicken and coating
  • 600 g boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh sliced into thin strips, about 5 mm thick
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Stir fry
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger finely grated
  • 1 large red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 200 g snap peas strings removed
  • 4 scallions cut into 4 cm pieces, white and green parts separated
Coconut lime sauce
  • 240 ml full-fat canned coconut milk about 1 cup
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce for vegetarian
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp lime zest from about 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice from about 1 lime
  • 1/4 tsp red chili flakes optional, adjust to taste
To serve
  • 4 servings jasmine rice cooked according to package
  • small handful fresh cilantro or Thai basil torn
  • 4 lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Prep the chicken
  1. Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels, then toss with the cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until each piece is lightly coated.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Set aside. Don't add the lime zest and juice yet.
Cook the chicken
  1. Heat a large wok or heavy skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact, about 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and let it shimmer.
  2. Arrange the chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 90 seconds until the bottom is golden and slightly crisp, then stir fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink. Transfer to a plate.
Stir fry the vegetables
  1. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the hot wok. Add the white parts of the scallions, garlic, and ginger. Stir constantly for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly softened but still with some bite.
  3. Add the snap peas and the green parts of the scallions. Stir fry for 1 minute until the snap peas are bright green and just tender.
Finish the sauce
  1. Return the chicken to the wok. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the coconut milk sauce. Stir to coat everything evenly.
  2. Return the pan to low heat and cook for 60 seconds, stirring gently, until the sauce is just warmed through and lightly coats the chicken and vegetables.
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in the lime zest and lime juice. Taste and adjust salt or lime as needed.
Serve
  1. Spoon over cooked jasmine rice. Top with torn cilantro or Thai basil and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Nutrition is calculated for the stir fry only and does not include the jasmine rice. Sodium varies depending on the fish sauce brand used.