Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a fragrant coconut and lemongrass sauce served over fluffy jasmine rice, inspired by Florida’s tropical outdoors. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 stalk, bruised and chopped fresh lemongrass stalk
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 can (14 oz) full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1.5 cups uncooked jasmine rice
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1.5 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until clear; combine with 3 cups water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy; set aside covered.
- Step 2: Season 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown; transfer to a plate.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 bruised and chopped fresh lemongrass stalk, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the skillet; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) full-fat coconut milk and 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp brown sugar; bring mixture to a simmer.
- Step 7: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
- Step 8: Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
- Step 9: Serve the coconut-lemongrass chicken over the prepared jasmine rice, spooning extra sauce over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Skillet with Jasmine Rice?
Thai chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
