June 21, 2026 · 10 min

30-Minute Thai Coconut Curry Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice

Dinner10 min631 cal / serving

Think a restaurant-worthy curry is out of your homemade dinner grasp? Think again. Here, chicken breast and bell pepper strips are seared until browned, then simmered in a creamy, dreamy coconut milk curry with Thai chili sauce and lime juice. Once the curry is thickened and the veggies are tender, spoon everything over fluffy cilantro-lime rice and sprinkle with fresh cilantro and chili flakes.

All that in just 30 minutes-talk about game-changing dinner! This Thai-inspired dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something exotic but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.


Recipe details

Dinner10 min631 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories631 kcalProtein51 gFat22.4 gCarbs37.2 gSugar15.9 gFiber2 gSodium436 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: yesLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: not detectedMilk / dairy: containsEgg: not detectedFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: containsSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Jasmine Rice0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guide
Bell Pepper1 unit Bell PepperView ingredient guide
Lime1 unit LimeView ingredient guide
Cilantro0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guide
Chili Pepper1 unit Chili PepperView ingredient guide
Curry Powder1 tablespoon Curry PowderView ingredient guide
Coconut Milk1 unit Coconut MilkView ingredient guide
SaltSaltView ingredient guide
PepperPepperView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil4 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Sugar1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. In a small pot, combine rice, ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4 servings) and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
  2. While rice cooks, wash and dry produce. Core, deseed and dice bell pepper into 1-inch pieces. Zest and quarter lime. Mince cilantro. Thinly slice chili. Place chicken on a plate; pat dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat (use a large pan for 4 servings). Add bell pepper and a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
  4. Add chicken, another large drizzle of oil and a big pinch of salt to pan with bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is lightly browned, 3-4 minutes (it’ll finish cooking in the next step). Stir in half the curry powder (all for 4 servings); cook for 1 minute.
  5. Thoroughly shake coconut milk in container before opening. Stir 2⁄3 cup coconut milk (1 1⁄3 cups for 4 servings), chili sauce, stock concentrate, juice from half the lime and 1 tsp sugar (2 tsp for 4) into pan with chicken mixture. (Save remaining coconut milk for another use.) Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer until sauce is thickened, bell pepper is tender and chicken is cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Taste and season with salt and more lime juice if desired. Turn off heat.
  6. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in lime zest and half the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. TIP: For an extra-rich experience, stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings). Divide rice between shallow bowls and top with coconut curry chicken, remaining cilantro and a pinch of chili if desired. Serve with any remaining lime wedges on the side. Chicken is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°.

Recipe Tips

For an extra-rich rice, stir in 1 tablespoon butter per serving.

Adjust spice level by adding more or less chili pepper.

If sauce is too thick, thin with a splash of water or extra stock.

FAQ

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast strips?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well. Adjust cooking time as needed until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

The recipe is naturally dairy-free except for optional butter in the rice. Omit butter or use a plant-based alternative.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

DandyRecipes community

Rate and discuss this recipe

Your rating and comments help other DandyRecipes readers decide what to cook next.

Your recipe vote

No DandyRecipes user votes yet.

Recipe comments

0 DandyRecipes comments

No DandyRecipes comments yet.

More recipe ideas

12 similar recipes you might like

These suggestions are based on shared ingredients, meal type, and recipe metadata.