1
Season the chicken: Mix chicken with lime juice, salt, pepper, paprika, chili flakes, cayenne (optional), and olive oil. Let sit 10-15 min.
2
Sear the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear 6-8 min per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3
Build the sauce: In the same pan, sauté onion until soft (3-4 min). Add garlic and cook 30 sec. Stir in bell pepper, tomato, tomato paste, and spices, cooking 2-3 min until fragrant.
4
Add coconut milk: Pour in the full can, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook a few min until slightly thickened.
5
Finish the chicken: Return chicken to pan. Simmer 5-10 min or until fully cooked and sauce is creamy. Stir in cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning or spice.
6
Serve: Plate chicken with sauce over a generous portion of rice. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges.