Directions
Sub-Title: An authentic taste of the island’s most famous dish
Quick Description: This delicious meal is made using traditional Jamaican spices and herbs that are sure to satisfy your cravings! The jerk chicken provides a sweet and smoky flavor while the coconut rice adds creaminess and richness to the dish.
Ingredients:
For the Jerk Chicken (serves 4):
– 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 2 teaspoons ground coriander
– 2 teaspoons paprika
– 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
For the Coconut Rice (makes about 2 cups cooked rice):
– 1 cup long grain brown rice
– 2 tablespoons coconut milk
– 1 tablespoon chopped onion
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. For the jerk chicken, heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the remaining olive oil and the apple cider vinegar to the pan and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the coriander, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until combined. Set aside.
3. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge the seasoned chicken pieces in the spice mixture, making sure they are well-coated. Transfer the diced chicken to the hot skillet containing the olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken reaches a golden brown coloring, approximately 10 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the coconut rice. In a pot, combine the rice, coconut milk, onion, and garlic. Cover the pot with water, bring it to a boil, and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, approximately 20-30 minutes. Taste the rice and adjust the seasoning as necessary before serving.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the jerk chicken on top of the coconut rice, garnished with slices of lime. Enjoy with your favorite side dish like grilled vegetables or steamed broccoli.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Nutritional Information:
Jerk Chicken – Calories: 230, Protein: 15g, Fat: 11g, Carbohydrate: 4g, Fiber: 1g
Coconut Rice – Calories: 260, Protein: 5g, Fat: 6g, Carbohydrate: 32g, Fiber: 2g
Total Time Needed: Approximately 45 minutes
Note: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please be aware that this recipe contains gluten and dairy products.
