Creating Caribbean Chicken & Rice is straightforward if you follow these easy steps:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Dice the onion and bell pepper, mince the garlic, and cut the lime in half for juicing.

2. Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, curry powder, and paprika. Ensure the chicken is well-coated in the spices.

3. Heat Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

4. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.

5. Add Rice: Stir in the rice and cook for an additional minute, allowing it to absorb the flavors from the vegetables and spices.

6. Combine Liquids: Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer.

7. Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken thighs back into the pot, skin-side up. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low.

8. Cook: Allow the chicken and rice to cook for about 25-30 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid too often to maintain steam.

9. Check Rice: After 25 minutes, check the rice for doneness. If it’s tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, it’s ready. If not, cover and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

10. Rest: Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes with the lid on to allow flavors to meld.

11. Finish: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired before serving.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible Caribbean Chicken & Rice dish effortlessly.