Caribbean Jerk Chicken And Rice (Printable)

Juicy jerk chicken thighs marinated in aromatic spices, served over creamy coconut rice with kidney beans for a taste of the Caribbean.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
05 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 4 green onions, roughly chopped
08 - 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon ground allspice
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
13 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

→ Rice

16 - 1½ cups long grain rice
17 - 1 15-oz can coconut milk
18 - 1¼ cups water
19 - 1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
20 - 2 green onions, sliced
21 - 1 garlic clove, minced
22 - 1 teaspoon salt
23 - ½ teaspoon ground allspice

# Directions:

01 - Blend soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, green onions, Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, salt, ginger, and vegetable oil in a blender or food processor until smooth.
02 - Place chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag; pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess. Reserve remaining marinade for basting.
04 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
05 - Transfer chicken to a baking dish, brush with reserved marinade, and bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through and juices run clear.
06 - Rinse rice under cold water until clear. In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, water, rice, kidney beans, green onions, garlic, salt, and ground allspice. Stir to combine.
07 - Bring the rice mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
08 - Fluff rice with a fork. Serve jerk chicken over coconut rice and beans, garnished with additional green onions or lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The coconut rice soaks up all those spicy juices creating this incredible flavor harmony
  • Marinating overnight transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary
02 -
  • The Scotch bonnet pepper is seriously hot so protect your hands from the oils
  • Letting the chicken rest after baking keeps all those juices where they belong
03 -
  • Make extra marinade and brush it on during the last few minutes of roasting
  • If you cannot find Scotch bonnet habanero works in a pinch