Imagine diving into a mouthwatering dish that transports you straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand, without ever leaving your kitchen! This Instant Pot Thai Coconut Lime Chicken is about to become your new obsession - a perfect blend of creamy coconut, zesty lime, and tender chicken that will make your taste buds dance with excitement. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal that's so easy, it'll become your go-to weeknight dinner secret weapon!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by trimming chicken thighs of excess fat and patting them dry with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger to create a marinade.
- Place chicken thighs in the Instant Pot and pour the marinade mixture over them, ensuring chicken is well-coated.
- Add sliced red bell peppers around the chicken pieces.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting.
- Set the cooking time to 15 minutes on high pressure, which will ensure tender and fully cooked chicken thighs.
- Once cooking cycle completes, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Optional: For a thicker sauce, use the "Sauté" function to reduce liquid for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer chicken and sauce to serving plates, garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Tips
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before cooking to ensure a perfect sear and better sauce absorption.
- Use fresh lime juice and high-quality fish sauce for the most authentic Thai flavor profile.
- Don't skip the natural pressure release - it helps keep the chicken incredibly tender and juicy.
- For extra flavor, toast some fresh cilantro leaves before garnishing to enhance their aromatic qualities.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, use the "Sauté" function to reduce it after cooking, or add a cornstarch slurry.
- Check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Serve over jasmine rice or cauliflower rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 140mg
