A one pan meal packed with exotic spices and herbs with a little citrus flair? That’s exactly what’s in store for you with this perfect mid-week meal – One Pan Jerk Chicken and Rice with Oranges.
In the mood for some food with a Caribbean flair last week, I decided to make this jerk chicken dinner. When writing the recipe post for my Jamaican Pepper Sauce I mentioned that I noticed I had used up all my pepper sauce that’s in the refrigerator. This Jamaican Pepper Sauce is incredible, but the amazing flavors going on in this dish alone, due to the jerk seasonings and citrus marinade, are sufficient to tantalize, but feel free to use on the side for this too if you wish.
I’m talking about a spicy concoction of herbs and spices like thyme, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. My Jamaican Jerk Pork Ribs have a thick paste-like rub that includes Scotch Bonnet peppers, but not this one, it’s all herbs, spices and citrus for the marinade.
Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture. I think the addition of the citrus orange juice works well.
In this dish, white rice gets substituted with healthy long grain brown rice. Replacing white rice with brown reduces your risk of diabetes by 16%. Brown rice is actually white rice that has not be stripped of its nutrients. Two of those nutrients are fiber and magnesium and both of these have been shown to regulate blood sugar.
Eating less rice overall is even better and, now get this, replacing rice altogether with barley or any other grain reduces your risk of diabetes by 36%. Is that crazy – no! I’d say that’s fantastic.
This One Pan Jerk Chicken and Rice with Oranges is packed with robust flavor and the long grain brown rice is enriched in the chicken stock, spices and vegetables. Enjoy!
One Pan Jerk Chicken and Rice with Oranges
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil , separated
- 1/2 each green , red and yellow bell peppers, diced
- 1 onion , diced
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 oranges , slices
- cilantro to garnish
- Jerk seasoning:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the spices and rub jerk seasoning mixture over chicken. Place in a Ziploc plastic bag or bowl and add the orange juice. Massage the chicken, spices and juice inside bag or bowl. Marinate at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Dice bell peppers and onion, set aside.
- Remove chicken from marinade, reserve marinade. Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a cast iron skillet or one that can go into the oven. Place the chicken skin side down and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- To the reserve marinade add enough chicken stock to make 1 1/2 cups total.
- Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet and over medium high heat and add the bell peppers and onion. Sauté for a few minutes then add the brown rice and toast for 2 minutes. Add reserved marinade chicken stock liquid mixture.
- Bring to a boil and add the browned chicken thighs. Nestle the chicken on top and press down slightly. Add orange slices and cover with lid or aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook for 5 minutes to caramelize the oranges. Check to see if all of the liquid has been absorbed. If not, continue to bake for 5 minutes, uncovered.
- Remove from the oven and serve garnished with the caramelized orange slices if desired.
Nutrition
Couple of questions…Can this be done with a chicken leg versus thighs…and can red beans be added ? if so how much?
Hi there Lani. I see no reason why not, as long as the finished chicken registers 165°F you should be good. As for the red beans are they cooked already? I would maybe cut the rice in half and add 1 cup or more (up to you) cooked red beans instead. Hope this helps, let me know!
WOW. Traveled in Navy 20 years so can appreciate wide palette of flavors. This smelled unique as I was making it, in a good way! Jerk spice looks like a mix bag of spices, whatever was on the shelf… But it smells and tastes great. Didn’t start out spicy in my mouth but warmed up the more I ate. GOOD STUFF, THANK YOU!!
So glad you enjoyed it and came back to let me know Kent. Lots of other good spicy stuff here, so I hope you take a look around. Have a great weekend, too.
I’m not one to jerk a chicken, but I could (and do) eat plain brown rice out of a bowl just for kicks. Love it.
Funny man Jeff. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
I’m really into one-pot meals right now and this looks like it’s bursting with flavor!
I’m a super fan of brown rice, I can honestly say that I prefer it to white. But it’s a fun idea to use barley or even farro in this.
p.s. really loving the look and feel of your new site Kevin!
Thanks Marissa. I think sometimes the need for washing less dishes instigates me to come up with new ways to make new recipes. The other day I even found some wonderful long grain brown basmati rice!
As for the new site look, thank you. It’s been a goal for 2016 for a new look and direction. 🙂
This looks so scrumptious Kevin! I could easily stuff myself to a coma on this 🙂 That chicken looks amazing, and the hint of orange flavours with jerk seasoning? That’s got me wanting this even more!
Thanks Dini! Not only is that chicken super flavorful and tender, but the rice is just as tasty! Have a great weekend.
Major drool over here, Kevin. I love the combination of flavors in this and definitely need to make it ASAP. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Olivia. So happy you stopped by here and now I’ve found another international food lover! Your site is wonderful.
Oh, thanks! You’re too sweet! I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog today – even though I have been here before through sharing threads on FBC. It is my goal in 2016 to keep up with wonderful blogs like yours. I definitely need the inspiration! 🙂 🙂 🙂
You’re sweet, thanks and I am working on that interaction more myself. I hope you’re safe and warm out there in NY this weekend!
I love jerk anything, Kevin… well aside from people. 😉 And this chicken looks scruuuuuumptious!! Loving that it is one pan and the hint of citrus in here is just perfect! I totally want to devour this, close my eyes and imagine being in the Caribbean! Dinner perfection up in here! Cheers, buddy!
Yes, aside from jerk people indeed. Like I said to John, it’s amazing how a few spices can transport one to another part of the world. That’s what I love so much about food, besides enjoying eating it. 🙂
Dinner couldn’t get easier than this – and tastier! Love a bit of jerk chicken!
Thanks John, love the spice blend for this one, works so well. It’s amazing how a few spices can transport one to another part of the world. Have a great and tasty day!
Hey Kevin! I am loving all the flavors going on here! I always have brown rice in my pantry – the only time I eat white rice is when we go out for sushi. This is a pan full of happiness! 🙂
I’m leaning more and more that way Dorothy and yes, this pan is happiness with a side of hugs. 🙂
I’m loving that you posted the recipe for jerk seasoning. It must be like 100x better than store bought. I need to make in happen in my kitchen asap.
And I do love me a one-skillet uber tasty meal that comes together in a flash and tastes amazing!
#WolfpackJamaica
Thanks Mike, appreciate it. This is great on pork chops too, and then a quick grill or broil. I sure love flavor with a lil bit o’ heat!
I love brown rice…it has so much more flavor than it’s white cousin! And I’m just sitting here imagining how much flavor this jerk chicken has. It sounds incredible, Kevin. So incredible that my mouth is watering for savory food at 9am. Well done, my friend, well done. #WolfpackJerks
Thanks buddy, I actually had the leftovers about an hour ago!
Kevin,this looks so insanely good! Always love a good one pot meal especially when it’s hot and spicy. Love the citrus addition here. Am hungry.
Thanks so much Imma 🙂 Hope things are well for you and have a great weekend!