Thai Roast Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Coconut Rice

Yes, it’s true… My husband and I could eat some sort of chicken and rice dish on a daily basis. This version was amazing!

This recipe was inspired by the rotisserie chicken from the now closed Uncle Boons in NYC where the chicken was roasted on rotating spits with heads of cabbage to catch all of the juices. The recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Diana Yen. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of skin-on and bone-in.

I was able to incorporate my CSA cabbage in the dish- it was the impetus behind selecting the recipe. In this version, cabbage is used to line the skillet, allowing it to absorb all of the seasonings and pan drippings. I will definitely add this dish to my arsenal of favorite cabbage recipes to make in the future.

We ate the chicken and rice with roasted beets, kohlrabi, carrots, and fennel from my CSA share. I garnished the finished dish with CSA cilantro and served sautéed broccolini from my share on the side as well. A feast and a true celebration of my CSA box! 🙂

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

zest and juice of 1 lime
1 1″ piece ginger, peeled with a spoon, finely grated, plus 3 peeled slices, divided
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/3 cup coconut palm sugar or (packed) light brown sugar
4 T fish sauce
1 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk, divided
2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 medium head of green cabbage, stem trimmed, sliced into 1″-thick wedges
1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1/4 tsp Morton kosher salt, plus more
1 cup white jasmine or Basmati rice, rinsed until water runs clear
cilantro leaves with tender stems and lime wedges, for serving

Whisk lime zest and juice, grated ginger, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 2 T oil, 2 tsp pepper in a large bowl to combine.
Set 1/4 cup marinade aside for serving.
Place chicken in remaining marinade and toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
Preheat oven to 400°. (I set my oven to convection roast.)
Generously brush cabbage wedges on both sides with oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange, a cut side down, in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet.
Remove chicken from marinade and set, “skin side up,” on top of cabbage; season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes.
Increase oven temperature to 450° and continue to roast, rotating pan halfway through, until chicken thighs are browned and crispy, 7 to 10 minutes more, or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
While the chicken is roasting, bring rinsed rice, ginger slices, remaining 1 cup coconut milk, remaining 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1/4 tsp Morton kosher salt, and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 15–20 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Fish out and discard ginger slices. Re-cover pan and let rice sit until ready to serve.
Arrange chicken on a platter; drizzle with reserved marinade and top with cilantro leaves. Serve with coconut rice and lime wedges for squeezing over. (I served the chicken on individual plates over the coconut rice.)

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

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