Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice
Juicy chicken breasts marinated in a warm spiced rum glaze, served atop fragrant coconut rice for a tropical twist. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs dark rum, pineapple juice, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup dark rum
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup dark rum, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Step 3: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 1 cup coconut milk, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: While the rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken breasts from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 5: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet with the chicken and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken until it thickens and glazes the meat.
- Step 6: Fluff the cooked coconut rice with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the rum-spiced chicken breasts atop the coconut rice with extra sauce spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut 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 dark rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut 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 Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut 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 Caribbean Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice?
Caribbean 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.
