Caribbean Marry Me Chicken
45 min
|
easy
|
clean eating,
gluten-free,
lactose-free,
Mediterranean diet,
paleo-friendly
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 30 min | 45 min |
Introduction
This Caribbean Marry Me Chicken takes the creamy skillet favorite you love and layers in bold jerk spice and tropical flavor.
Juicy bone-in chicken simmers in coconut milk with sun-dried tomatoes, pineapple, and bell pepper for a rich, island-inspired sauce.
It is perfect for an easy date night dinner, a small dinner party, or whenever you want a vacation-on-a-plate feel.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Ingredients for the Chicken:
For the Sauce:
Garnish:
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How to Make Caribbean Marry Me Chicken
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Prep and season the chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels so the seasoning sticks and the skin browns well.
In a small bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Rub the spice mix all over the chicken, getting some under the skin for deeper flavor.
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Sear the chicken
Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin film of oil.
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until the skin is deep golden and crisp, about 6 minutes.
Flip the thighs and sear the second side for 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer them to a plate.
Pour off most of the fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind for the sauce.
-
Build the sauce base
Lower the heat to medium and add the sun-dried tomatoes, pineapple, and red bell pepper to the skillet.
Cook, stirring often, until the pineapple softens slightly and the peppers start to smell sweet, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the grated ginger and fresh thyme leaves and cook for 30 seconds to wake up their flavors.
-
Add coconut milk and simmer
Pour in the coconut milk and lime juice, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then taste and adjust the heat level with a pinch more cayenne if needed.
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Finish cooking the chicken in the sauce
Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the sauce, skin-side up, along with any juices on the plate.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 18 to 22 minutes.
Check that the thighs reach at least 175°F at the thickest part, not touching the bone.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of water or coconut milk and stir gently.
-
Garnish and serve
Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes so the flavors settle.
Sprinkle the top with chopped fresh cilantro.
Serve the chicken with plenty of sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or coconut rice, plus a side of veggies.
Substitutions
- Swap pineapple for mango chunks
- Use ripe mango pieces instead of pineapple for a slightly softer, sweeter fruit that still tastes tropical. The sauce will feel silkier and a bit richer, with less bright tang.
- Use heavy cream instead of coconut milk
- Heavy cream makes the sauce extra lush and velvety, though it loses some coconut aroma. The dish tastes more like classic marry me chicken with a small Caribbean twist from the spices and pineapple.
- Replace sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers
- Jarred roasted red peppers give sweetness and color, but the sauce will taste milder and less tangy. They bring a softer, smoky edge that still balances the coconut and pineapple.
Tips
- Dry skin equals better browning
- Moisture on the chicken skin steams it instead of browning, so really blot it with paper towels before seasoning.
- Let the pan do the work
- If the chicken sticks when you try to flip, wait another minute; it releases naturally once the skin is seared.
- Balance heat and sweetness
- Taste the sauce near the end and adjust with extra cayenne, lime, or pineapple until it feels balanced to you.
- Crisp the skin before serving
- For extra crisp skin, spoon most sauce off the tops, then broil the skillet a few minutes before garnishing.
- Make it ahead friendly
- Cook the chicken and sauce, chill them together, then gently rewarm on the stove with a splash of water.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 435 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 22 | g |
| Total Fat | 35 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken instead of bone-in thighs?
- Yes, boneless, skinless thighs work well, but they cook faster and give less richness from the bones. Sear them as written, then simmer in the sauce for about 10 to 12 minutes, checking for doneness.
- My sauce curdled; what went wrong?
- Coconut milk can split if the heat is too high or the sauce boils hard for a long time. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer and avoid rapid bubbling once the coconut milk goes in. If it separates slightly, whisk in a tablespoon of cold coconut milk off heat to bring it back together.
- How can I make this less spicy but still flavorful?
- Cut the cayenne in half and choose a mild jerk seasoning blend with less Scotch bonnet heat. Add extra lime juice and a few more sun-dried tomatoes for brightness and complexity without much burn.
- What should I serve with Caribbean Marry Me Chicken?
- Fluffy white rice, coconut rice, or rice and peas all soak up the sauce beautifully. Try roasted carrots, sautéed green beans, or a crunchy cabbage slaw to add freshness and color on the side.
Serving Suggestions
This tropical twist on marry me chicken feels cozy enough for winter but bright enough for a summer evening.
Pair it with coconut rice and a simple cucumber salad for a full meal that hits creamy, crunchy, and fresh notes.
For a fun riff, add a splash of rum to the sauce as it simmers, then cook it off before serving.
More pairings:
Reviews
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craftswithlove, Denver, CO: Yum, the creamy coconut, pineapple, and sun-dried tomato sauce was a total hit at our get-together and my husband and I loved how easy it was to pull together.
: Happy it was a hit at your get-together, and that coconut, pineapple, and sun-dried tomato sauce really is the best part! 😊
Made this recipe? How did it go?
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