Description
This One Pot Sticky Coconut Rice & Chicken recipe is a fragrant and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with jasmine rice in rich coconut milk, enhanced by warm spices and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for a comforting yet exotic meal, it combines a delightful blend of textures and flavors all made in a single pot for easy preparation and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Spices
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
Rice & Liquid
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Flavorings & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly on both sides with salt, black pepper, ground ginger, ground coriander, and ground turmeric.
- Brown Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the hot pot and cook for about 5 minutes per side until nicely browned for maximum flavor.
- Remove Chicken: Take the browned chicken from the pot and set aside to use later.
- Toast Rice: Add the jasmine rice to the pot and stir to lightly toast it for approximately 2 minutes to add nuttiness.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth, stirring to combine evenly with the rice.
- Incorporate Flavorings: Add the brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice to the pot and stir carefully until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Return Chicken to Pot: Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the pot, placing them skin side up to maintain moisture.
- Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Remove Chicken Again: Take the chicken out of the pot once more and set aside for shredding or chopping.
- Fluff Rice: Use a fork to fluff and mix the rice thoroughly with the coconut milk mixture for a sticky, cohesive texture.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Shred or chop the cooked chicken thighs and fold them back into the rice to combine flavors evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro and toasted coconut flakes on top to finish the dish with fresh and crunchy accents.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat.
- To toast coconut flakes, lightly brown them in a dry pan over medium heat until golden.
- If preferred, substitute jasmine rice with basmati, but cooking time may vary slightly.
- The dish can be prepared in advance; leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Adjust fish sauce and lime juice to taste for balancing saltiness and acidity.
