Njugu-Spiced Chicken with Plantain Slices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender chicken marinated in a fragrant East African spice blend, served with caramelized plantain slices and a herb garnish. This East African-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, cumin, coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 East African cuisine 410 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.25 lbs chicken thighs
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp coriander
2 tsp chili powder
3 medium plantains
3 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp fresh thyme
1 lime

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat 1.25 lbs chicken thighs dry and place in a bowl. Mix 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp coriander, and 2 tsp chili powder with 1 tbsp water to form a paste; rub evenly over chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Peel and slice 3 medium plantains into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Heat 3 tbsp coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Add plantain slices in a single layer and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet, add marinated chicken and cook for 8 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Squeeze juice from 1 lime over chicken and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Rest for 5 minutes before serving with plantain slices.