Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains
Juicy chicken thighs coated in aromatic Puerto Rican sofrito, served with creamy plantain mash for a comforting yet vibrant meal. This puerto rican-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken thighs, medium ripe plantains, sofrito blend 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 medium ripe plantains
- 1/2 cup sofrito blend
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Let rest for 10 minutes while preparing sofrito.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook another 8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, peel and dice plantains into 1/2-inch cubes. Boil in salted water for 12 minutes until fork-tender, then drain and mash with 1/4 cup heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 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 Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains?
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 Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains 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.
Is Sofrito-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Plantains gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
