Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in smoky adobo, served with caramelized plantains and fragrant rice infused with fresh cilantro. This puerto rican-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, adobo seasoning, medium ripe plantains for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tsp adobo seasoning
- 2 medium ripe plantains
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken thighs with 2 tsp adobo seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Let rest 15 minutes while preparing plantains.
- Step 2: Slice plantains 1/4 inch thick. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add plantains and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden and caramelized, then set aside.
- Step 3: In a rice cooker, combine 1 cup rice, 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Cook until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, about 18 minutes.
- Step 4: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until golden, flip, and cook 5 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Adobo-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice?
Puerto Rican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
