Jerk Chicken with Rice, Black Beans and Pineapple

It will soon become apparent that I love beans. If I can find a recipe that includes beans, I am more than willing to give it a shot. When I first saw this recipe I wasn’t too sure about it but I am so happy that I tried it! This has become one of my go-to meals. My husband and I both love this dish, the ingredients aren’t expensive and it’s perfect for a night where there is a lot going on in our house. I don’t think I’ve made this for anyone other than my husband yet but I would be very comfortable sharing this dish with guests, at least the ones that would be willing to try beans and pineapple in the same dish. Once again - a recipe from Real Simple that hasn't let me down!

I hunted the grocery store forever trying to find jerk sauce. I had never used jerk sauce before so I wasn’t sure where to find. I found many different types of jerk marinades but never jerk sauce. Finally I went to World Market and found Pickapeppa. Naturally I can now find Pickapeppa in just about any grocery store I go to. This sauce has a good bite to it but not a lot of heat. A little really does go a long way and my little bottle lasted for a while.

1 cup white rice

¼ cup cider vinegar

¼ cup spiced rum

2 T. jerk sauce – Pickapeppa

1 T. fresh ginger, grated

4 - 6 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 T. olive oil

15 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed

8 oz. pineapple, cut into 1 in. pieces

1 bunch scallions, sliced

Cook the rice according to the package directions.

Combine the vinegar, rum, jerk sauce, and ginger in a measuring cup or small bowl and set aside.

Pound the chicken to an even thickness. Season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about four minutes per side. Add the vinegar mixture.

Reduce heat to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about two minutes.

Stir the beans into the rice. In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple and scallions. Plate the chicken and serve the rice and pineapple mixtures with the chicken.

Adapted from www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/jerk-chicken-rice-black-beans-pineapple-10000001698833/index.html