Description
One-Pan Coconut Lime Chicken and Rice is a delicious, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free meal featuring crispy chicken thighs nestled on a bed of fragrant, creamy coconut jasmine rice. Infused with vibrant lime, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a quick dinner or make-ahead meal, combining tender textures and bright flavors all cooked in a single pan for convenience.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 Pound Chicken Thighs, skin on
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Lime, zested
- 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
For the Rice:
- ½ Cup Shallot, chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 1 Inch Ginger, grated (or 2 teaspoons ground ginger)
- 1-2 Thai Chilies or Serrano Peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 Cup Jasmine Rice, rinsed
- 4 Green Onions, sliced
- 1 Lime, juiced
- ½ Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Cup Full-Fat Coconut Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Fish Sauce
- ¼ Cup Cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get ready for baking the chicken and rice later.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub evenly with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and lime zest to season and add fresh citrus flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium heat until hot. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until the skin becomes golden and crispy. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same pan, add chopped shallots, mashed garlic, grated ginger, and thinly sliced chilies. Sauté for about one minute until ingredients become fragrant and tender.
- Toast Rice: Add rinsed jasmine rice and sliced green onions to the pan. Stir and toast the rice with aromatics for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in lime juice, chicken broth, full-fat coconut milk, and fish sauce. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
- Combine and Bake: Nestle the chicken thighs skin-side up into the rice mixture in the pan. Cover the skillet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Crisp Skin and Finish Cooking: Remove the skillet cover and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. This step finishes cooking the chicken thoroughly and crisps the skin further.
- Fluff and Garnish: Once done, remove from oven and use a fork to fluff the rice. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the dish before serving for a fresh herb finish.
- Serve: Plate the one-pan coconut lime chicken and rice and enjoy the creamy, zesty flavors with crispy chicken and fragrant rice.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making it ideal for meal prep.
- Adjust the amount of chilies according to your preferred spice level.
- Use skin-on chicken thighs for best texture and flavor; the skin crisps beautifully during cooking.
- Rinsing the jasmine rice removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy rice.
- Full-fat coconut milk adds creaminess; light coconut milk can be used but may alter richness.
- Ensure the skillet you use is oven-safe for seamless stovetop to oven cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion