Once, when I was visiting Paris, my friend Emile from Gabon, Africa, made this dish for me. I was amazed that cooking with peanut butter could be so good.

　　

Ingredients

serves 2

　　Canola oil spray or 2 teaspoons peanut oil

　　1/2 medium onion, diced

　　3/4 cup white rice

　　3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon broth (chicken or vegetable) or water

　　1/2 to 3/4 pound chicken breasts or thighs

　　1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced

　　2/3 cup milk (skim is okay) or water

　　2 to 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed

　　1/2 teaspoon cayenne

　　Sea salt

　　3 tablespoons peanut butter, creamy or chunky

　　3 or 4 tomatoes, diced, or one 14-ounce can diced, drained

　　1/2 sweet potato, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

　　1 handful fresh spinach, or about 5 ounces frozen

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

　　

Step 2

Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with canola oil or wipe with peanut oil.

　　

Step 3

Scatter the onion in the pot.

　　

Step 4

Rinse the rice in a strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. Tip the rice into the pot, add the liquid, and stir to make an even layer.

　　

Step 5

Place the chicken on the rice. Add the bell pepper.

　　

Step 6

In a measuring cup, whisk the milk, garlic, cayenne, salt, and peanut butter until the peanut butter dissolves. Pour over the chicken.

　　

Step 7

Layer in the tomatoes, sweet potato, and spinach.

　　

Step 8

Cover and bake for 45 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven. Serve immediately.

　　

variations

Step 9

Use coconut milk instead of milk. Substituting soy or rice milk is also always acceptable in a Glorious One-Pot Meal.

　　

Step 10

Substitute a minced jalapeño chile instead of the cayenne. Or use four shakes of red pepper flakes.

　　

Step 11

Shrimp and/or scallops instead of, or along with, the chicken taste great, too. Or try tofu (use extra-firm cubes).

　　

Step 12

Use sweet or white potatoes instead of rice.

　　

nutrition information

Step 13

Calories: 426

　　

Step 14

Protein: 27g

　　

Step 15

Carbohydrates: 33g

　　

Step 16

Fat: 15g

　　

Step 17

Cholesterol: 39mg

　　

Step 18

Sodium: 626mg

　　

Step 19

Fiber: 9g

　　Glorious One-Pot Meals