The rich, tangy notes of lime and fresh cilantro blend beautifully with the velvety cream and tender pan-seared chicken in this standout dish. This meal delivers the kind of comfort food experience that feels gourmet but comes together with surprising ease.
Perfect for busy weeknights or when hosting a casual dinner, this one-skillet recipe not only minimizes cleanup but maximizes flavor. Pair it with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of the vibrant sauce. It’s a recipe that’s sure to find a place in your regular rotation.
Full Recipe:
1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1½ cups (360ml) chicken broth (preferably reduced sodium)
3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lime juice
1/2 cup (60g) chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream
1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter
Optional: lime wedges and more cilantro for garnish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
If chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to even thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
In a large ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes, turning once until golden brown (does not need to be fully cooked). Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add chicken broth, lime juice, onion, cilantro, and red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Stir and scrape up brown bits. Bring to a boil and reduce for 10–12 minutes until reduced to about 1/2 cup.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream and butter. Once butter is melted, remove from heat.
Return chicken to skillet, coating both sides in sauce. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 5–10 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro. Serve with rice or vegetables, smothered in sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 396 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
A Flavor-Packed One-Pan Wonder: Skillet Chicken with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
Few dishes strike the perfect balance between elegance and comfort quite like a creamy, herb-infused chicken skillet. This Skillet Chicken with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce is a weeknight dinner hero—quick to prepare, bursting with fresh flavors, and hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table. Made with pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, it delivers restaurant-quality taste in just one pan, with minimal cleanup.
What makes this dish so beloved is its vibrant combination of creamy, zesty, and slightly spicy flavors that work together in perfect harmony. The chicken is first pan-seared for a golden-brown crust, then simmered in a luscious sauce made with lime juice, red pepper flakes, fresh cilantro, and cream. The result is a comforting, satisfying dish with layers of depth and brightness.
The Magic Behind the Flavor
The flavor profile of this dish hinges on the careful balance between citrus, cream, and herbs. The lime juice provides a tangy acidity that cuts through the richness of the cream and butter, making the sauce feel both indulgent and refreshing. Freshly chopped cilantro adds a herbal punch and an unmistakable aroma that elevates every bite.
Red pepper flakes bring subtle heat, giving the sauce a bit of excitement without overpowering the palate. If you’re sensitive to spice, it’s easy to reduce or omit the pepper flakes. On the other hand, if you enjoy bold flavors, you can increase the heat for an extra kick.
The sauce is thick and velvety, but not too heavy—perfect for spooning over chicken and soaking into rice or vegetables. The seared chicken pieces absorb the sauce beautifully, staying tender and juicy through the final bake.
Why This Recipe Works for Every Skill Level
This dish is an excellent option for both novice and experienced home cooks. The steps are simple, and the ingredient list is straightforward. It doesn’t require any advanced techniques or fancy tools—just a reliable skillet and a working oven.
Moreover, the one-pan nature of the dish means that it’s incredibly forgiving. You cook everything in the same skillet, which helps build layers of flavor as the fond (the brown bits left behind by searing the chicken) enriches the sauce. There’s no need to worry about juggling multiple pots or timing complex elements. Even with little cooking experience, you can prepare a meal that tastes like it came from a professional kitchen.
Customizations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. If you’re avoiding dairy, a simple substitution of coconut cream and coconut oil works wonderfully. The coconut cream provides a similarly rich texture with a slightly tropical undertone that pairs surprisingly well with the lime and cilantro.
You can also swap chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs if you prefer a darker, juicier meat. Chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving and remain tender even if cooked a little longer. They absorb the sauce just as well and offer a slightly richer taste.
Want to add vegetables directly into the skillet? Bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach can be stirred into the sauce before baking. This adds color, nutrients, and makes it a true one-dish meal.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal
The creamy cilantro lime chicken is incredibly versatile in terms of what you can serve with it. The sauce is the star of the show, so you’ll want to pair it with something that can soak up all that flavor.
Rice: Steamed jasmine or basmati rice is the go-to option. It soaks up the sauce and balances the rich flavor.
Mashed Potatoes: For a comforting spin, serve the chicken over creamy mashed potatoes.
Cauliflower Rice: If you’re aiming for a low-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully and keeps the dish light.
Pasta: A surprising yet delicious pairing—try angel hair or linguine tossed in the sauce for a pasta night twist.
For vegetables, roasted asparagus, green beans, or a simple side salad with lime vinaigrette complements the dish without overpowering it.
Tips for the Best Results
Even Chicken Thickness: Pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking to ensure it sears and bakes evenly.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you double the recipe, cook the chicken in batches to avoid steaming instead of searing.
Let the Sauce Reduce: Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens and reduces by half before adding cream and butter. This concentrates the flavor.
Use Fresh Lime Juice: Bottled lime juice can taste flat or overly acidic. Freshly squeezed lime makes a noticeable difference in brightness and depth.
Make-Ahead and Storage Notes
This dish holds up well for meal prep. You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them together in an airtight container. The flavors actually intensify after a day in the fridge.
To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. The chicken remains tender, and the sauce doesn’t break if reheated slowly.
Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. While the dish can be frozen, the texture of the cream sauce may change slightly. If you plan to freeze it, do so before adding the cream and butter—then add those in fresh when reheating.
Perfect for Entertaining
If you’re hosting a casual dinner party or want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, this is an ideal recipe. It can be scaled up easily, prepped ahead, and presented beautifully straight from the skillet.
Top with lime wedges and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro right before serving for a pop of color and a final burst of freshness. Serve family-style with warm rice and sautéed vegetables, and let everyone spoon sauce to their heart’s content.
This is the kind of dish that makes people ask for seconds—and the recipe.
Health and Nutrition Highlights
Despite its creamy base, this dish is relatively balanced. It’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates, especially if served with vegetables or cauliflower rice.
The lime juice offers a dose of vitamin C, while cilantro contains antioxidants and has been traditionally used for its detoxifying properties. While the cream and butter add indulgence, using reduced-sodium broth and lean chicken breast keeps the dish on the lighter side.
For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or reduce the amount of butter slightly without sacrificing too much richness.
Conclusion: Your Next Go-To Chicken Dinner
Skillet Chicken with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce is everything you want in a weekday meal: fast, flavorful, and endlessly flexible. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or simply craving something warm and satisfying, this recipe checks every box.
It showcases how a few simple ingredients—when combined thoughtfully—can create a truly memorable meal. The balance of fresh herbs, citrusy brightness, mellow creaminess, and tender chicken makes this dish a keeper.
Make it once, and you’ll find yourself returning to it time and time again. It’s not just a recipe—it’s a new staple in your kitchen repertoire.