Caribbean Jerk Chicken With Pineapple-Cilantro Rice

TinyBubbles's Note:

This spicy chicken dish will take you right back to islands! The heat of the jerk seasoning is complemented by the fresh, light flavors in the rice dish, served cold. Chill some Red Stripe or throw some rum in the blender and you've got the perfect simple barbeque! The jerk seasoning (minus the brown sugar) can be doubled and the excess stored in an airtight jar for another use.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4-6

Yield: 4.0

Jerk Seasoning

• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons black pepper, fresh ground
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

To the seasoning add

• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon scallion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Jerk chicken

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness

Pineapple-Cilantro Rice

• 2 cups basmati rice, uncooked
• 6 cups water
• 1 whole pineapple, peeled, cored and cubed
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 lime, to squeeze over rice before serving
• 1 lime, cut into wedges (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Combine Jerk seasoning with brown sugar, garlic, scallions, and hot sauce to make a paste. Rub on both sides of each breast and wrap or cover for at least 30 minutes, but up to two hours.
2. Bring water to a boil and cook rice for 10-12 minutes, until tender, but still firm. Drain, and rinse with cool water.
3. Transfer to a bowl and stir in pineapple, cilantro, red pepper, peas, and olive oil. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and fresh ground pepper. Cover and chill.
4. Heat grill to med-high. Cook chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes each side.
5. Squeeze half lime over chilled rice, cut chicken into strips, and serve.
6. Garnish with more fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

Reviews

[Mia #3]

Hi this really turned out better than I expected. I just omitted out the ground cloves , for my family doesn't really care for it, only I do. This is a receipe I plan on doing it again. Thanks so much for sharing.