Description
Caribbean Chicken and Rice is a delightful one-pot meal that transports your taste buds to the tropics. This recipe features succulent chicken thighs infused with aromatic spices, rich coconut milk, and fluffy rice, creating a vibrant dish that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The unique blend of seasonings offers a pleasing balance of heat and flavor, ensuring everyone at your table will be asking for more. With minimal clean-up required, this easy-to-prepare dish is an ideal choice for weeknight meals or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or substitute habanero pepper for less heat), whole or minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or coconut oil)
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, paprika, ground allspice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make sure each piece is well-coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken skin-side down. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5–7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion, minced garlic, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, chopped tomato, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in fresh thyme, ground allspice, smoked paprika, rice, chicken broth, coconut milk, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Return browned chicken to the skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until rice is cooked through and liquid is absorbed.
- If using frozen peas, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro for a burst of color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 140mg