Bring the flavours of the Caribbean to your dinner table using only one pan! This One Pot Caribbean Chicken and Rice recipe is super easy and full of flavour!
And just like that, it’s Monday!
How was your week-end? We spent our week-end at the park, then at the airport watching planes land (sounds odd but it’s strangely fun, especially with a two-year old who loves airplanes), then at the park again. I am so happy that it is warm enough to spend time at the park!
During one of our park visits, we met the friendliest cat ever. He came right over and got some pats from Kai, joined him on the merry-go-round and even on the jungle gym! When we left, Kai was asking “where’s my kitty? Where’s my kitty?” I would love to get the poor kid a cat, but Ben is allergic.
Well…now it’s Monday again, and it’s back to the routine. And today I have the perfect Monday-night dinner for us! This one pot Caribbean chicken and rice is easy, healthy, and FULL of flavour!
Grace Foods Canada makes bringing the flavours of the Caribbean to your dinner table an easy task. For this recipe, I used two of their products: the Jerk Marinade, which brings a TON of that awesome jerk flavour to the chicken (without being overpoweringly spicy), and their Coconut Water, which is my super secret ingredient to make this rice some of the best rice I’ve ever tasted!
Honestly, I have made coconut rice using coconut milk before, and it is SUPER delicious, however I like to cut down on calories whenever possible. By using coconut water, you cut the fat and calories significantly, and still end up with a subtle but really nice coconut flavour in the rice. Not only that but the texture is unbelievable…creamy, yet still with a chew to it (aka: not mushy).
This one pot Caribbean chicken and rice tastes like total comfort food (thanks to the creamy rice), but it is completely healthy! I snuck the veggies right into the dish, but you could easily omit them and serve with a side salad instead.
And guess what? Only one pan to wash up afterwards! If that doesn’t make you jump for joy on a Monday, I don’t know what will 🙂
Check out the Grace Foods Canada Where To Buy page to see which stores near you stock Grace products!
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Thank-you to Grace Foods Canada for sponsoring this post! Thank-you for supporting the brands that support Sweet Peas & Saffron. All opinions remain my own.
One Pot Caribbean Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 cup Grace Jerk Marinade plus 1/4 cup more reserved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups Grace Coconut Water
- 2 bell peppers thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a baking dish or large bowl with the marinade, turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours (preferably overnight).
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the chicken, discarding excess marinade, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until slightly browned. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate.
- Add rice, thyme, allspice, salt and brown sugar to the pan, and cook, stirring frequently for 2 or so minutes. Add the coconut water, and scrape any bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (don't be tempted to peak or stir).
- After 20 minutes, add the bell peppers and zucchini to the pan, and stir into the rice.
- Place the chicken on top of the rice, cover, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Brush the chicken with the remaining ¼ cup of marinade prior to serving.
Notes
Alternatively, you can pick up some of Grace's Spicy Jerk Seasoning!
Nutrition
More Jamaican jerk recipe inspiration:
- Grilled Jerk Chicken from Once Upon a Chef
- Slow Cooker Caribbean Beef Tacos with Mango Salsa from Sweet Peas & Saffron
- Jerk Shrimp and Spicy Sweet Potato Nachos from Maebells
John
From a fellow chef ! Well done Great Rice ! Jerk chicken is Top shelf as well!
Denise
Thank you so much John! What a compliment!
Allie | Baking a Moment
I made this for dinner last night and everyone loved it! So much fabulous flavor. I didn’t have coconut water so I used a combination of water and coconut milk- SO good. Other than that I pretty much followed the recipe exactly. Will definitely be making this dish again!
Denise
Your comment just made my day, Allie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Ami@NaiveCookCooks
Denise this looks so delicious & I love one pot meals!! Makes life so much easier!!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
I am definitely going to have to try coconut water next time! I use coconut milk all the time and LOVE the subtle coconut flavor, but it can be pretty high in calories. I love the sweet and spicy combo!
Danielle
Now this is definitely my kind of dinner! I need to make more one pot recipes, they just make life so much easier. That jerk chicken looks incredible too, Denise!
Kelly
So fun, I love that you guys take Kai to the airport to watch planes land 🙂 And this is totally my kind of meal! It looks SO good, Denise! I love coconut rice and lightening it up with coconut water sounds fantastic!
Kaitlin
This looks delicous! Definitely on my short-list for dinner tonight…
I’m in Australia so I can’t get the Grace Jerk Marinade – do you have any suggestions for alternatives? I’m happy to mix up my own marinade I just don’t know what to put in it!
Denise
Hi Kaitlin! I’ve used this jerk marinade recipe before and loved it…although it was for grilling. And it was SPICY, so beware!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
I loveeeee coconut rice!! You sold me immediately!! haha This meal looks fantastic – and you cannot go wrong with the one pot!
Denise
LOL! I am hooked on coconut rice now, especially when it doesn’t require an entire can of coconut milk 😉 Thanks, Ashley!
Shelly
I’ve never had jerk chicken before, I have no idea what it tastes like. I’m game to try it, but my husband, not so much.
This dish looks delicious!
Denise
Aww I know what it’s like to have a husband who is set in his ways 😉 Thanks, Shelly!
Rachel @ Bakerita
One pot meals are the best kind, especially when they look as irresistible as this jerk chicken with coconut rice! Coconut rice is one of my favorite things, and using coconut water to cut some calories is a great idea. Must try!
Denise
Thanks, Rachel! The rice has such a nice texture 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina
I love jerk chicken and this looks fabulous! It’s been a long time since I’ve had it – you’ve inspired me! Thank you!
Denise
Thanks, Annie! Jerk chicken has a special place in my heart 🙂
marcie
I love jerk chicken I love all the veggies that you packed in here and that you can make this in one pot! I’m starving right now and wish I had a bowl!
Denise
Thanks, Marcie! You know I can’t help sneaking some veggies in there 😉
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
Oh maaaan…this is pure Monday comfort food perfection! Is it weird of me to be craving an XXL bowl of this chicken ‘n’ rice before even 7am?? Swooning over all that veggie goodness!
Denise
Ha ha! Thanks Sarah!