Description
This Caribbean chicken and rice brings bold island flavors right to your dinner table with tender chicken, fragrant seasonings, and fluffy rice all cooked together in one pot. You’ll love how the spices blend perfectly while everything simmers into a vibrant, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Main Starches:
- 2 cups rice
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm a large pot over medium heat for 2 minutes, then pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil across the surface.
- Tumble the diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper into the hot oil. Stir continuously for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Add the 1 lb chopped chicken thighs to the pot. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat turns golden brown and loses its raw pink color.
- Pour 2 cups of uncooked rice into the pot, followed by 1 can of coconut milk, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for exactly 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
- After 20 minutes, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork, separating the grains and releasing the aromatic steam.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the rice to achieve the perfect texture.
Notes
- Choosing bone-in chicken thighs adds extra flavor and helps keep the meat juicy during cooking.
- Fresh thyme works best, but dried thyme can be substituted if needed, using about one-third the amount.
- For a lighter version, swap coconut milk with low-fat chicken broth and use brown rice for added nutrition.
- Always let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the rice to absorb remaining moisture and settle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg