Spicy Maple Chicken and Coconut Rice
A delightful dish that marries sweet and spicy flavors with creamy coconut rice, made with marinated chicken and fragrant jasmine rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 3 tbsp maple syrup Can adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp sriracha Can adjust to taste for spice level
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking the chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces Thighs recommended for juiciness
For the Coconut Rice
- 1 cup jasmine rice Rinse under cold water until clear
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- Pinch of salt
For Serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges For squeezing over the dish
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
Cooking Coconut Rice
- Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, and a pinch of salt.
- Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
Marinating Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, sriracha, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
- Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss them in the marinade until they are well coated.
- Let this marinate for about 10-15 minutes.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook each side for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
- Pour any remaining marinade into the pan and simmer for around 2 minutes, creating a sticky glaze.
Serving
- Place a generous scoop of the creamy coconut rice onto your plate.
- Top with the spicy maple chicken and sprinkle fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and toasted coconut flakes.
- Squeeze fresh lime wedges over the dish before serving.
Notes
Feel free to adjust sriracha levels for heat preference. Using chicken thighs instead of breasts can enhance juiciness. Experiment with garnishes like avocado slices or chopped peanuts.