Antiguan Seasoned Rice (One-Pot Chicken and Rice)
Local name: Seasoned rice
In short: Antiguan one-pot seasoned rice with chicken browned in caramelized sugar, tomato, onion and thyme, cooked until golden and savory. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Seasoned rice is one of the pots Antiguan cooks make most often: chicken browned in caramelized sugar, then simmered with tomato, onion and thyme, and finished by cooking rice in the same pan. The rice picks up a deep golden-brown color and a savory-sweet flavor. It is the kind of dish that feeds a crowd at Sunday lunch, and leftovers reheat well. Use bone-in chicken for the best flavor.
Instructions
- Toss the chicken with the lime juice, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook, without stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until it melts and turns deep amber.
- Add the chicken at once, stirring to coat it in the caramel, and brown for 8 minutes, turning, until deeply colored. Lift the chicken out.
- Cook the onion, bell pepper and scallions in the pot for 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes more.
- Return the chicken to the pot with 150 ml (2/3 cup) of the water. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the rice, carrot, scotch bonnet, salt and the remaining water. Bring to a boil, then cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest for 10 minutes, covered. Remove the pepper, fluff the rice and serve.
Tips
- Watch the sugar closely. It goes from amber to burnt quickly, and a burnt caramel tastes bitter, so start again if it smokes.
- Pork or smoked sausage are traditional additions. Add 200 g (7 oz) of diced pork with the chicken, or swap the chicken for it entirely.
Questions and answers
What gives seasoned rice its color?
Caramelized sugar, often called browning, plus tomato paste and the juices from the chicken. It gives the rice a deep golden-brown color.
Can I make seasoned rice ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and reheats well in a covered pan with a splash of water.
Is it the same as pelau?
They are close relatives made in the same way, with browned meat and rice cooked together. Pelau usually adds pigeon peas and coconut milk, while seasoned rice is simpler.
How long does it take to make Antiguan Seasoned Rice (One-Pot Chicken and Rice)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Antiguan Seasoned Rice (One-Pot Chicken and Rice)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
