19 Coconut-Lime Recipes That Will Transport You Straight To The Tropics

This recipe is inspired by Thai Diner, the New York restaurant that famously marries American diner traditions with classic Thai street food. Though their chicken is made in the classic Milanese preparation, there is really something special about how the slightly-sweet coconut crust paired with the extra-coconutty chicken.

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Take an instant vacation with a sip of this Bahama Mama. This beautiful cocktail combines two different types of rum, three types of juices, a splash of grenadine, and some fun garnishes to make an irresistible drink.

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For this weeknight dinner I went for a spicy-sweet coconut milk sauce that is full of lime juice, jalapeño, ginger, and both tomatoes and tomato paste. The result is a super tender, flavorful chicken with a golden brown crust, coated in what just may be your new favorite sauce.

Get the One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken recipe.

There are TONS of chicken curry recipes in the world. This version might be a little untraditional, but it’s still pretty darn tasty. Here I’m simmering chunks of chicken in a lightly spiced coconut sauce till they’re tender and cooked through, and then ladling that creamy sauce over freshly cooked rice.

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I love a low-waste recipe, and these grain bowls are one I find myself reaching for often. Zero coconut milk goes to waste here. Some of it is used with fresh pineapple and lime juice to create a creamy and bright marinade, while the rest is used to cook the rice

Get the Coconut Lime Shrimp Bowls recipe.

Put the lime in the coconut and bake this stunning layer cake! One of the reasons this cake is SO fun to eat is that it’s not about blasting every component with all the lime and all the coconut flavor, but instead letting each part of the cake bring a little something to the party.

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We love a good frozen cocktail, and this coconut number is no exception. There is tons of citrus flavor in this limeade, which is bolstered by cream of coconut and tequila for a boozy blast.

Get the Spiked Coconut Limeade recipe.

This creamy skillet salmon is rich without being too decadent. The combo of fresh ginger, lime juice, and basil brightens everything up. Trust us, you're going to LOVE the sauce.

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This creamy coconut-lime chickpea skillet is a weeknight dinner that I turn to again and again. With a sweet, slightly spicy coconut and tomato sauce that is absolute perfection, and plenty of crisp, nearly creamy chickpeas, this is one coconut-lime variation that won’t leave you missing the chicken.

Get the Creamy Coconut-Lime Chickpea Skillet recipe.

Satay is a popular Southeast Asian street food that usually involves a marinated meat being skewered and grilled, then served with a simple saucy dip. We're using flavorful chicken thigh meat here, but you can substitute anything from breast meat, to pork or beef, or even tofu and vegetables

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If you like piña coladas and strawberry daiquiris then you'll love the totally rad Miami Vice cocktail. The cocktail combines two iconic frozen drinks for a summer cocktail that is the best of both worlds.

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The best of Key lime pie, coconut cream pie, and cheesecake all combine in these dessert bars, turning them into one next-level treat. Key lime bars are great and all, but adding some tropical coconut flavor will make these bars one to remember at your next summer potluck.

Get the Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake Bars recipe.

Known as Tom Kha Ghai, this coconut soup is one we are always craving. The creamy coconut paired with ginger and lime gives this soup it's unique and delicious flavor. Lemongrass is also traditional in this soup and we'd recommend adding some to this soup if you can find it.

Get the Thai Chicken Coconut Soup recipe.

For this refreshing drink, we are riding “dirty” with our take on a Dirty Soda where the creaminess from the coconut milk and cream mix effortlessly with lime juice and cola to create this delicious mocktail that welcomes summer on the coldest winter day.

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Buffalo sauce on a wing is a tried-and-true classic, but what if you’re in the mood for something different? Tossed in a sweet and zesty glaze, these coconut-lime wings are giving Buffalo and blue cheese a run for their money.

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The Cheesecake Factory has 34 flavors of cheesecake. And everyone has their fave… but the truth is mango Key lime stands out from the pack in the most delicious way. It’s got creamy mango and Key lime cheesecake, a layer of fluffy mango mousse, and a layer of mango glaze, all encased in a vanilla-coconut crust.

Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.

You'll start this weeknight dinner with a mixture of onion, fresh ginger, garlic, and serrano chiles. Next, a smattering of spices—garam masala, paprika, and turmeric—infuses the coconut milk. All that's left to do is poach the shrimp directly in the broth and heat the peas and spinach through, and you're ready for dinner.

Get the Coconut Curry Shrimp & Peas recipe.

This easy dinner combines ginger-garlic meatballs and a spicy red curry coconut sauce to create a flavorful dish that's both comforting and packed with bold, aromatic spices.

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Few drinks are more refreshing than frozen margaritas on a hot summer day. This Dole Whip version with sweet frozen pineapple, creamy coconut milk, and tangy lime juice is an instant classic.

Get the Dole Whip Margaritas recipe.