Caribbean Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans
A hearty one-pot Caribbean chicken stew featuring ripe plantains, black beans, and aromatic spices simmered to perfection. This caribbean-inspired one pot ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, drained and rinsed canned black beans, large, diced yellow onion 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds ripe plantains
- 1 cup, drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, and 1 tsp dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Return chicken thighs to the pot and add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup drained canned black beans, and 2 peeled and sliced ripe plantains. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and plantains are tender.
- Step 5: Remove lid and simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes to thicken the sauce slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot with lime wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans?
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 Caribbean Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans?
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 Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans 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 Style One-Pot Chicken with Plantains and Black Beans?
Caribbean one pot 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.
