Description
Transport your taste buds to the Caribbean with this irresistible Caribbean Chicken and Rice recipe. Juicy, marinated chicken thighs are seasoned with bold spices and cooked to perfection, served over fragrant rice infused with creamy coconut milk, garlic, and fresh herbs. This one-pot dish is not only easy to prepare but also packed with vibrant flavors that make it ideal for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Enhance your meal experience by pairing it with sweet plantains, zesty mango salsa, or a squeeze of fresh lime. Dive into a tropical culinary adventure that will leave everyone craving more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in chicken thighs (skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers (optional)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp curry powder (optional but traditional in some regions)
- 1 ½ cups long-grain rice (jasmine or basmati)
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup canned kidney beans or pigeon peas (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper; sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onion and bell pepper until softened; add minced garlic and optional Scotch bonnet peppers.
- Stir in thyme, allspice, and curry powder; coat the vegetables well.
- Add rice to the pot, stirring to coat grains with the spice mixture.
- Pour in coconut milk and chicken broth; return browned chicken to the pot.
- Cover tightly and simmer on low for 25–30 minutes until rice is fluffy and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before fluffing rice gently with a fork.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (350g)
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 375mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg