Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Rice Recipe

Spicy Caribbean jerk chicken dances with fragrant rice in this soulful island-inspired dish. Fiery seasonings and tropical flavors promise a culinary journey you'll savor with each delicious bite.

📝 Ingredients

• 2.5 lb (1.13 kg) boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup yellow onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 3 sprigs curly parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dry jerk seasoning
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or hot water)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Craft a robust jerk seasoning blend by combining salt, pepper, and traditional Caribbean spices to infuse deep flavor into the chicken thighs.
2. 2Allow chicken to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to maximize the absorption of aromatic spices.
3. 3Heat avocado oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, creating a golden sear on each side of the chicken thighs to lock in juices and develop a rich caramelized exterior.
4. 4Remove seared chicken and set aside, maintaining the flavorful fond in the skillet.
5. 5Sauté a medley of onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness and creating an aromatic base for the rice.
6. 6Introduce rinsed rice and additional jerk seasoning into the vegetable mixture, ensuring each grain is evenly coated with spices and aromatics.
7. 7Deglaze the skillet with vegetable broth and rice vinegar, scraping up the concentrated flavor bits from the bottom of the pan.
8. 8Gently nestle the seared chicken thighs into the seasoned rice mixture, ensuring they are partially submerged.
9. 9Cover the skillet tightly with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 1 hour, allowing the rice to absorb the broth and the chicken to become tender.
10. 10Once completed, remove from the oven, let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes, then fluff the rice and serve the aromatic Caribbean-inspired meal.