Caribbean Chicken Breasts with Green Mango Coconut Sauce over Cilantro Rice and Golden Sweet Potato Cakes
🏝️ Caribbean Food
Intermediate

Caribbean Chicken Breasts with Green Mango Coconut Sauce over Cilantro Rice and Golden Sweet Potato Cakes

An original Caribbean-inspired recipe featuring chicken breasts marinated with lime, garlic, and spices, seared and finished in a silky green mango coconut sauce. It is served with cilantro-scented rice and small golden sweet potato cakes for a balanced, aromatic dish full of freshness, creaminess, and gentle spice.

30 minPrep
40 minCook
70 minTotal
4Servings
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 700 g skinless chicken breasts (cut en 4 porciones parejas)
  • 300 g green mango (pelado and diced small)
  • 400 ml coconut milk (without sugar)
  • 200 g long-grain white rice (enjuagado)
  • 350 g sweet potato (pelada and grated gruesa)
  • 120 g red onion (finely chopped, divided)
  • 18 g garlic (chopped, divided)
  • 20 g fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
  • 2 units lime (juice and zest, divided)
  • 12 g fresh ginger (grated)
  • 80 g sweet pepper (finely chopped)
  • 480 ml chicken broth or water (for the arroz)
  • 1 unit egg (for the tortitas)
  • 30 g rice flour (for ligar the tortitas)
  • 45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
  • 2 g ground allspice
  • 1 g dried thyme
  • 1 g ground cumin
  • 0.5 g red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 10 g salt (or to taste, divided)
  • 2 g black pepper (divided)

Nutrition facts

per serving

612 kcal
Calories
39 g
Protein
53 g
Carbs
27 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
48 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Eggs

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice, the zest of 1 lime, half of the garlic, cumin, allspice, thyme, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.

  2. 2

    2. Meanwhile, cook the rice. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon (5 ml) oil over medium heat. Sauté half of the red onion for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth or water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.

  3. 3

    3. Remove the rice from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then mix in half of the cilantro and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice. Keep warm.

  4. 4

    4. For the cakes, place the grated sweet potato in a bowl and mix with the egg, rice flour, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 tablespoon red onion, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Shape into 8 small compact cakes.

  5. 5

    5. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the sweet potato cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through. Transfer to a tray and keep warm in a 200 °F / 95 °C oven if desired.

  6. 6

    6. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon (15 ml) oil and sear the marinated chicken breasts over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once browned, reduce the heat.

  7. 7

    7. Add the remaining red onion, remaining garlic, ginger, and sweet pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes, scraping the pan to release the chicken juices.

  8. 8

    8. Stir in the green mango, coconut milk, red pepper flakes if using, the remaining lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the remaining black pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the mango softens and the sauce thickens slightly.

  9. 9

    9. Cover the skillet and continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 °F / 74 °C. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

  10. 10

    10. Serve a bed of cilantro rice on each plate. Place one portion of chicken on top with plenty of green mango coconut sauce. Add 2 sweet potato cakes per serving and finish with the remaining fresh cilantro.

Chef tips

If the green mango is very tart, let the sauce simmer for an extra minute to soften its edge. For a smoother sauce, mash some of the mango cubes in the skillet with a spoon at the end of cooking.

Substitutions

You can swap the chicken breast for boneless chicken thighs, adjusting the cooking time as needed. Rice flour can be replaced with cornstarch in the same amount. If sweet pepper is unavailable, use very finely diced red bell pepper.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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