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Jerk Chicken Bowl with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice plated beautifully

Jerk Chicken Bowl with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice

A delicious bowl featuring smoky jerk chicken, fragrant coconut rice, and refreshing mango salsa, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Caribbean, Tropical
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus 1 tbsp for searing)
  • 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Rice

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup jasmine rice (rinsed)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

For the Mango Salsa

  • 1 large mango, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 piece red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 piece red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (for salsa)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for salsa)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for salsa)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Lay the chicken breasts on a cutting board and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix jerk seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  • Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of each chicken breast and rub it in so every piece is well coated.
  • Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let it shimmer.
  • Sear the chicken 2–3 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms.

Cooking

  • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast 20–25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  • While the chicken roasts, rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear.
  • In a medium saucepan combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer 18–20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
  • Remove rice from heat and let it sit covered 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in the coconut oil until melted.

Salsa Preparation

  • For the mango salsa: peel and dice the mango, dice the red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
  • Combine in a bowl with chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, black pepper, honey, and olive oil. Toss gently to coat.
  • Taste and adjust lime or salt as needed.

Assembly

  • When chicken is done, remove from oven and rest 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Assemble bowls: spoon coconut rice into bowls, top with sliced jerk chicken, and finish with a generous scoop of mango salsa.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate within 2 hours. Chicken and rice last 3–4 days. Salsa keeps 2-3 days. Freezing is possible for chicken and rice up to 3 months, but salsa does not freeze well.
Keyword Coconut Rice, Comfort Food, Jerk Chicken, Mango Salsa, Weeknight Dinner