Irresistibly Flavorful Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice: Your New Weeknight Favorite

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of vibrant flavors with this Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice. It’s a deliciously healthy-ish comfort food that brings together tender chicken, aromatic spices, and wholesome ingredients in one satisfying skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

There’s nothing quite like a hearty chicken thigh dinner to gather everyone around the table. Chicken thighs, known for their rich flavor and forgiving nature, are next to impossible to overcook, ensuring a moist and tender result every time. In this Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice recipe, they truly shine, absorbing a zesty marinade that infuses every bite with incredible depth.

What Makes This Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice So Special?

This isn’t just another chicken and rice dish; it’s a culinary journey inspired by the bold and vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine. The secret lies in a carefully crafted marinade and a harmonious blend of spices that transform simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary. We’re talking about a dish that’s not only bursting with flavor but also packed with protein and wholesome vegetables, making it a complete meal that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly healthy.

The marinade is the heart of this recipe, featuring a bright combination of fresh lime and orange juices. These citrus notes not only add a refreshing tang but also tenderize the chicken, making it incredibly succulent. Fresh thyme, Hungarian paprika, ground cumin, and a touch of jalapeño join the party, creating a complex flavor profile that is both warming and invigorating. Each spice plays a crucial role:

• Lime & Orange Juices: Provide acidity to tenderize the chicken and impart a bright, authentic Cuban citrus flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Adds an earthy, slightly minty note that complements poultry beautifully.
• Hungarian Paprika: Delivers a sweet, mild pepper flavor and a beautiful reddish hue.
• Ground Cumin: Essential to Cuban cooking, offering a warm, earthy, and slightly pungent aroma.
• Jalapeño: A hint of heat that awakens the palate without overwhelming the dish. (Adjust to your spice preference!)

Ingredients for the Zesty Chicken Marinade

To create the foundation for our flavorful chicken, you’ll need these ingredients:

• Fresh lime juice
• Fresh orange juice
• Olive oil
• Medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• Dried thyme leaves
• Hungarian Paprika
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Crafting Your Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once your chicken has soaked up all the wonderful flavors of the marinade, the cooking process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. We begin by searing the marinated chicken to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust, locking in its juices and adding another layer of flavor. Then, we build the rich sauce in the same pan, allowing all those delicious bits left from the chicken to infuse into the vegetables and broth.

The base of the sauce starts with aromatic yellow onion, crisp red bell pepper, and pungent garlic, sautéed until softened and fragrant. These vegetables provide sweetness and structure to the dish. Next, we introduce diced fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky depth and succulent black beans, a cornerstone of Cuban cuisine, offering a creamy texture and earthy flavor. Low-sodium chicken broth brings everything together, creating a savory liquid for the chicken to simmer in. A final touch of Hungarian paprika and ground cumin amplifies the existing flavors, ensuring every component sings in harmony.

After a quick boil, the mixture is reduced to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to finish cooking to perfection. This slow simmer is crucial for developing the rich, complex character of the dish, resulting in a sauce that coats the chicken beautifully and permeates the entire meal with its vibrant essence.

Key Ingredients for the Main Dish

Beyond the marinated chicken, here’s what you’ll need to complete this savory skillet:

• Olive oil
• Yellow onion, finely chopped
• Red bell pepper, chopped
• Large garlic cloves, minced
• Diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
• Black beans, drained and rinsed
• Low-sodium chicken broth
• Hungarian paprika
• Ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped, for garnish
• Lime wedges, optional, for garnishing
• Yellow rice, for serving

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice is a complete meal on its own, packed with protein and a generous serving of vegetables. However, a traditional accompaniment that truly elevates the experience is fluffy yellow rice, which perfectly soaks up the flavorful sauce. The vibrant yellow color of the rice, often achieved with saffron or annatto, adds to the aesthetic appeal and authentic feel of the dish.

While the dish is incredibly satisfying as is, a simple side green salad can add a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors. For those who love to experiment, consider serving it with:

• Fried Plantains (Maduros): Their sweet, caramelized flavor offers a delightful counterpoint to the savory chicken.
• Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado adds a cooling element and healthy fats.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• Cilantro-Lime Crema: A dollop of creamy sauce can add another layer of indulgence.

Feel free to get creative with your toppings and sides. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving are highly recommended to brighten the flavors even further.

Why This is Your Go-To Weeknight Meal

Life gets hectic, and finding time to prepare a wholesome, flavorful meal can be a challenge. That’s precisely where this Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice recipe shines. It’s designed with convenience in mind, making it the perfect solution for those busy weeknights when time is a precious commodity. The beauty of this dish extends beyond its quick preparation; it also boasts fantastic qualities that make it an ideal choice for meal planning and enjoying delicious leftovers.

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. Imagine coming home after a long day, knowing that a significant part of dinner is already done. You can simply cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, whisk together the vibrant marinade, combine them in a large Ziploc bag, and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the chicken to thoroughly absorb all those incredible flavors, making your dinner prep the following night a breeze. When it’s time to cook, simply sauté the chicken, add the remaining ingredients, and let it simmer while your rice cooks. Dinner will be on the table in under 35 minutes, a speedy triumph that will have everyone exclaiming, “Winner, winner, chicken dinner!”

Moreover, this dish is just as delicious—if not even better—the second day. The flavors continue to meld and deepen overnight, transforming into an even more cohesive and satisfying meal. This makes it ideal for meal prepping lunches for the week or enjoying another effortless dinner without having to cook from scratch. Its ability to maintain its quality and flavor as leftovers adds immense value to its weeknight appeal, saving you time and effort.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice

To ensure your Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice turns out perfectly every time, here are a few invaluable tips:

• Marination Time is Key: Don’t skimp on the marinating time. While 5 hours is good, marinating the chicken overnight (up to 24 hours) will yield the most flavorful and tender results. The citrus juices need time to break down the proteins and infuse the meat with their zesty essence.
• Browning the Chicken: When searing the marinated chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a good sear and develops a rich, browned crust. This caramelization adds significant depth of flavor to the entire dish.
• Choosing Your Tomatoes: I highly recommend using a 14.5-oz can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes, including their juices, for a smoky depth that regular diced tomatoes won’t provide. If you opt for fresh diced tomatoes, increase the chicken broth by about 1/4 cup to compensate for the liquid lost from the canned variety.
• The Right Rice: For serving, yellow rice is my personal preference. It complements the Cuban flavors beautifully. Brands like Goya produce excellent yellow rice that cooks up perfectly. While I’m not sponsored to say so, it’s a staple in my kitchen for this dish.
• Adjusting Spice Levels: The jalapeño provides a mild kick. If you prefer more heat, leave some of the seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices. For less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño.
• Fresh Herbs Matter: Don’t skip the fresh cilantro garnish. It adds a burst of freshness and brightens the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Full Recipe: Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice

Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! This Cuban Spiced Chicken and Rice is delicious healthy comfort food.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
• 2 tsp. Hungarian paprika
• 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Chicken & Rice Dish

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
• 1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp. Hungarian paprika
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• Lime wedges, optional, for garnishing
• Yellow rice, for serving

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, chopped jalapeño, dried thyme, 2 tsp. Hungarian paprika, 2 tsp. black pepper, 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Add the chicken to a large Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and toss the chicken to fully coat all pieces. Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours or preferably overnight, tossing the chicken every so often to ensure even marination.
2. In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and add the entire contents of the bag (chicken and marinade) to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, for 7-8 minutes until the chicken is browned on all sides. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken to a large plate and set aside. Drain all but 1/4 cup of fat from the skillet.
3. Add the chopped onions and red bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for one minute until fragrant. Stir in the diced fire-roasted tomatoes (undrained), drained and rinsed black beans, low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp. Hungarian paprika, 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Return the browned chicken and any accumulated juices from the plate to the skillet. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue to cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. To serve, add a generous portion of yellow rice to individual bowls and top with some of the Cuban Spiced Chicken mixture, or place it on the side. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and optional lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

For the best serving experience, I recommend using Goya yellow rice. While this is not a sponsored recommendation, it’s a personal favorite that consistently delivers great results.

When using canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes (14.5-oz), be sure to include the juices for maximum flavor. If you choose to use fresh diced tomatoes, I suggest adding an additional 1/4 cup of chicken broth to maintain the desired liquid consistency in the dish.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (approx.):

• Calories: 349 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 39g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Sodium: 348mg
• Potassium: 758mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 4g
• Vitamin A: 2185 IU
• Vitamin C: 49mg
• Calcium: 65mg
• Iron: 4mg

Keyword: black beans, Chicken, Comfort Food, healthy, yellow rice

Cuisine: Cuban

Course: Main Dish

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More Delicious Dinner Inspiration to Enjoy

Looking for more easy and flavorful weeknight dinner ideas? Try some of these other favorites:

• Beef and Quinoa Enchilada Skillet
• Classic Easy Meatloaf
• Crazy Good Mac and Cheese
• Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Amatriciana
• Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
• Buffalo Sloppy Joes