Cuban Chicken with Slow Cooker Black Beans & Rice

I adapted this recipe from two recipes. The first is Cuban-Spiced Chicken from epicurious.com, and the second is cuban black beans and rice from a cook book I have called Crock-Pot Busy Family Recipes. The best thing about this meal is that it all can be prepped ahead of time, and then only takes less than 20 minutes to throw it all together!

Ingredients:
3 3/4 c chicken broth
1 1/2 c uncooked brown rice
1 large white onion, chopped
1 large jalapeño, seeded and chopped (half for rice & beans, half for chicken)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
fresh ground salt & pepper
2 cans (15oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
2 limes zested and juiced (half for rice & beans, half for chicken)
2 Tbs olive oil
1/4c fresh cilantro, chop stems and set aside leaves for topping
1 Tbs thyme
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp allspice
fresh ground salt & pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Optional toppings:
avocado, sliced
sour cream 
cilantro leaves
tomatillo salsa

Directions: 
1. In slow cooker, add chicken broth, uncooked rice, onion, 1/2 jalapeño, garlic, cumin and salt & pepper, mix well. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, or until rice is tender. Don't over cook or rice will be mushy.

2. In a tupperware or freezer bag; add olive oil, 1/2 lime juice, 1/2 lime zest, 1/2 jalapeño, cilantro stems, thyme, paprika, cumin, allspice and salt & pepper, mix well.  Add chicken thighs and coat thoroughly with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.

3. After 7 hours, check the rice, when it is tender turn the slow cooker off and stir in black beans and 1/2 lime juice & 1/2 lime zest.

4. Heat a large skillet on Medium-High heat, add chicken thighs and all marinade. Cook thoroughly, rotating with tongs periodically, until chicken is cooked through and browned on the outside. 

4. To serve, scoop rice and beans onto a plate and top with chicken thighs. Add avocado, a dollop of sour cream, cilantro leaves and a few teaspoons tomatillo salsa. And ENJOY!!