Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet Plantains
Tender chicken thighs slowly braised in a fragrant spiced rum sauce served alongside caramelized sweet plantains. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, spiced rum, olive oil 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup spiced rum
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced diagonally 1/2-inch thick ripe plantains
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground allspice and 1/2 tsp ground ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in 1/3 cup spiced rum, scraping the bottom to deglaze, then add 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 medium peeled and sliced plantains and 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized.
- Step 6: Serve the braised chicken hot with the caramelized plantains alongside, spooning some sauce over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet 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 Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet 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.
What goes well with Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Chicken with Sweet Plantains?
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.
