Chicken Rice is the Trinidad and Tobago version of rice pilau that Indian indenture workers brought with them to the islands. The special Caribbean touch creates a livelier dish than its chicken and rice cousins like Mexico’s arroz con pollo or Singapore’s Hainanese chicken and rice.

Trinidad and Tobago Chicken Pelau RICE and Chicken

Chicken Pelau – Trinidad and Tobago Chicken and Rice

Pelau is basically the national casserole of Trinidad and Tobago. It's one of the most versatile (and arguably, delicious) meals on the Islands. The use of local spices and caramelized chicken make this dish stand out. from it's brother, Arroz con Pollo.

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Course: Brunch, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 40

Marinate: 1

Total Time: 2

Servings:

Author: My Hungry Traveler

Equipment

Large Dutch oven with cover or large heavy pot

Ingredients

Marinate Chicken

6 Boneless chicken thighs, each cut into 3 (Sub: chicken legs, thighs with bone, or a whole cut up chicken)
1 tsp Garlic, minced
1 tsp Ginger, grated
¼ tsp Creole or cajun spice mix (Sub: salt)
1½ tsp Dried thyme
1 tsp Black pepper
Parsley and or basil, minced

Pilau

2 cup Long grain rice, rinsed until water run clear
½ Chicken bouillon cube (Sub: ¼ tsp chicken broth paste or powder)
½ cup Brown sugar
1 medium Onion, diced
2 tsp Garlic, minced
1 whole Scotch Bonnet or habanero pepper, seeded and minced (Sub: jalapeno pepper)
1 tsp Thyme
¼ cup Olive or vegetable oil
2 Bay leaf
2 tbsp Ketchup
1 tbsp Creole or cajun spice mix (Sub: salt)
1 can Pigeon Peas, drained (Sub: Black-eyed peas, pinto beans)
1 cup Butternut squash, large cubes
14 oz Canned coconut milk
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Whole black peppercorns
3½ cups Chicken broth
1 Scotch bonnet or Habanero pepper, whole (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Marinate Chicken – Place chicken in a large plastic freezer bag. Add ¼ tsp creole seasoning or salt, 1 tsp minced garlic, ginger, thyme, pepper, and minced basil. Seal bag and massage spices into chicken pieces. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
Cook Pelau – Remove chicken from refrigerator and shake off any loose bits.
Heat Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add sugar and keep stirring until it caramelizes and turns a deep brown but isn't burned. Immediately add chicken and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring constantly to caramelize chicken. Transfer to a bowl, reserving 2 chunks to dice for garnish.
Stir in onions, 1 tsp garlic, 1 tsp thyme, oil, bay leaves, and ketchup. Cook for 1 minute. Add rice, squash and peas and stir for another 3 minutes.
Add in chicken broth, coconut milk, 2 tsp creole spice (or salt), paprika, caramelized chicken, and whole peppercorns. Mix everything together, bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is done, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and discard bay leaves and peppercorns. Transfer to a serving bowl, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle reserved chopped chicken pieces on top. Serve.