The One Pot Sticky Coconut Rice & Chicken is a delicious, simple meal that brings together the creamy richness of coconut milk, tender chicken, and fragrant jasmine rice. This easy recipe is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, offering a satisfying combination of flavors with minimal cleanup. The convenience of cooking everything in one pot allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a comforting and flavorful dish.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: 4-6 pieces (dark meat preferred for juiciness, breasts work too)

• Coconut Milk: 1 can (about 2 cups)

• Jasmine Rice: 2 cups

• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced

• Peppers: ½ yellow pepper, finely chopped; ½ green pepper, finely chopped

• Soy Sauce: 1 tbsp

• Brown Sugar: 1 tbsp

• Butter: 2 tbsp

• Chicken Broth: 2 cups

• Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (1 tbsp for seasoning chicken, 1 tbsp for searing chicken)

• Seasoning for Chicken:

  • 1½ tsp Smoked Paprika

  • 1½ tsp Italian Seasoning

  • 1 tsp Onion Powder

  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken well and drizzle with olive oil. Sear on both sides until golden brown, then remove and set aside.

2. Prepare the Aromatics: In the same pot, add more oil if needed. Sauté garlic and peppers until fragrant (1-2 minutes).

3. Combine Ingredients: Add jasmine rice to the pot, stirring to coat with the aromatics. Pour in the coconut milk, chicken broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir to combine and add butter. Place the seared chicken back into the pot, partially submerged in the liquid.

4. Simmer and Cook: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake at 375°F for 35-45 minutes.

5. Serve: Once cooked, remove from the oven and serve hot.

Nutrients

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 45 minutes

• Total Time: 55 minutes

• Servings: 4

The Allure of One Pot Cooking

The concept of one pot meals has become a popular trend due to its practicality and the ease it offers in cooking and cleaning. One pot meals, like this sticky coconut rice and chicken dish, not only simplify meal preparation but also enhance the flavor profile of the dish by allowing all ingredients to cook together. This method ensures that the rice absorbs the rich flavors of the coconut milk, chicken, and seasonings, creating a more cohesive and well-balanced taste.

One of the main advantages of cooking everything in a single pot is the convenience it offers. There’s no need for multiple pans or complicated techniques, making this dish an excellent choice for busy nights when you want a flavorful meal without the hassle. Additionally, cooking in one pot ensures that the flavors infuse each other, with the coconut milk imparting a creamy richness to the rice and the chicken infusing the entire dish with savory depth.

The Ingredients: A Symphony of Flavors

This dish combines a blend of ingredients that work harmoniously to create a comforting meal. Let’s take a closer look at each component and its role in bringing out the best flavors in the dish.

Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks

For this dish, dark meat such as chicken thighs or drumsticks is preferred due to its juicy, tender texture. Dark meat holds up better during the cooking process, staying moist and flavorful. However, chicken breasts can also be used if you prefer a leaner option. The seasoning and searing process help lock in the flavors, ensuring that the chicken remains juicy and delicious throughout the cooking process.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is the star ingredient in this dish, giving it its signature creamy texture and rich flavor. The natural sweetness of coconut milk pairs wonderfully with the savory notes of the chicken and the rice. As the dish cooks, the coconut milk infuses the rice, making it soft and slightly sticky, which adds to the dish’s comforting feel. It’s essential to use a full-fat coconut milk for a rich, creamy consistency that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is known for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture, making it an ideal choice for this dish. When cooked in the coconut milk and chicken broth, the rice absorbs all the savory and sweet flavors, becoming tender and flavorful. The sticky texture of jasmine rice helps bind the dish together, making each bite satisfying and complete.

Aromatics: Garlic and Peppers

The garlic and peppers bring a punch of flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste profile. Garlic adds a rich, savory depth, while the peppers—yellow and green—introduce a mild sweetness and a slight crunch. The combination of these aromatics creates a fragrant base for the dish, which will infuse the rice and chicken with additional flavor.

Seasonings

The seasoning mix for the chicken includes smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This blend of spices imparts a smoky, savory, and slightly herby flavor to the chicken, enhancing its natural richness. Smoked paprika, in particular, adds a subtle smokiness that complements the sweetness of the coconut milk and balances the overall flavor of the dish.

Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar

Soy sauce brings umami and depth to the dish, while brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the coconut milk and soy sauce. The sugar helps to create a delicate balance between the savory and sweet elements of the dish, making each bite a harmonious experience.

Butter and Olive Oil

Butter adds richness and creaminess to the dish, while olive oil is used for searing the chicken and sautéing the aromatics. Together, these fats contribute to the dish’s depth of flavor and its smooth, satisfying mouthfeel.

The Cooking Process: Simplicity and Flavor

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. The entire meal is cooked in one pot, making it easy to prepare and perfect for those with limited time or those looking to minimize kitchen cleanup. Here’s an overview of the cooking process:

Searing the Chicken

To start, the chicken is seasoned with a flavorful mix of spices, and then seared in a hot pot until golden brown. This step not only adds color and texture to the chicken but also helps to lock in its juices, ensuring a tender result. The searing process also creates fond at the bottom of the pot, which adds additional depth to the dish once the liquid is added.

Sautéing the Aromatics

After the chicken is seared, garlic and peppers are sautéed in the same pot. This allows the aromatics to release their flavors, creating a fragrant base for the rice and chicken. The fond left from searing the chicken also contributes to the overall flavor, making every bite of the dish flavorful.

Combining the Ingredients

Once the aromatics are ready, jasmine rice, coconut milk, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and butter are added to the pot. The ingredients are stirred to combine, and the chicken is placed back into the pot, partially submerged in the liquid. The pot is brought to a simmer, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors and the chicken to cook to perfection.

Simmering and Baking

After bringing the pot to a simmer, it is transferred to the oven to bake at 375°F for 35-45 minutes. During this time, the rice cooks fully, absorbing the coconut milk and chicken broth, and the chicken becomes tender and juicy. The baking process allows the flavors to meld together, ensuring that each ingredient contributes to the overall flavor of the dish.

Serving and Enjoying

Once the dish is finished, it’s ready to be served hot. The rice will be sticky and infused with the rich coconut flavor, and the chicken will be tender and juicy, making for a satisfying and comforting meal. One Pot Sticky Coconut Rice & Chicken can be enjoyed on its own, or served with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad.

Conclusion

One Pot Sticky Coconut Rice & Chicken is a simple yet delicious meal that brings together the creamy richness of coconut milk, the savory goodness of chicken, and the fragrant aroma of jasmine rice. The ease of preparation and the convenience of cooking everything in one pot make this dish an excellent choice for busy weeknights or special occasions. Whether you’re a novice cook or an experienced chef, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, it’s a meal that will satisfy and comfort, making it a go-to dish for any occasion.