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Coconut Rice and Beans

Jamaican-inspired coconut rice and beans with chicken, healthified for a high-protein weeknight meal.

Prep: 5 minCook: 35 minTotal: 40 min4 servings

Ingredients

Main

  • 500 g chicken breastdiced
  • 1½ tsp vegetable oil
  • ½ medium yellow onionchopped
  • 2 cloves garlicchopped
  • 1 cup (200 g) long-grain rice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp gingerfreshly grated
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • ½ cup water
  • 200 ml light coconut milkKara
  • 1 can kidney beansrinsed and drained
  • 1 can green peasdrained
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 whole Scotch bonnet chillior ½ tsp chilli flakes
  • ½ lime lime(optional)

Method

  1. Sear the chicken
    • Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
    • Add the chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté the onion
    • In the same pot, add the onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until the edges begin to brown.
  3. Add the garlic and rice
    • Add the garlic and rice, stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients
    • Add the ginger, salt, stock, water, and coconut milk. Stir well.
    • Add the kidney beans and green peas. Sprinkle the thyme over everything.
    • Add the whole Scotch bonnet (or chilli flakes). Return the chicken to the pot.
  5. Cook
    • Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover.
    • Cook for 15–20 minutes until the rice is done. Check after 15 minutes.
  6. Rest
    • Remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes.
  7. Serve
    • Fluff with a fork. Squeeze over lime if using. Discard the Scotch bonnet before serving.

Notes

Scotch bonnet: Cook it whole and discard at the end. It adds a gentle background warmth without making the dish hot. If using chilli flakes instead, stir them in with the liquids.

Adapted from Simply Recipes.

Nutrition Facts

Makes 4 servings

Serving size: 1 of 4 servings

Calories

Per serving

543

Total recipe

2173

Total Fat
12.5g50g
Total Carbs
67g268g
Dietary Fiber
7.8g31g
Protein
49.3g197g