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Arroz con Pollo is an amazing one-pot meal that tastes amazing. This chicken & rice dinner is so easy to make! Gather the family, and eat up!
This recipe first appeared at The Salty Marshmallow where I am a contributor.
One-pot meals are SO my jam, I absolutely love that I can bring a full-flavored dinner to the table, without destroying my kitchen! This chicken and rice dish is super easy, especially if you prep the ingredients ahead.
This is a comfort food classic, with a nod to Latin American and Spanish roots. I just love how simple the flavors are and how easy this is to make.
This Arroz con Pollo recipe is a VERY versatile dish, that can be adjusted to whatever you like, and have on hand. No wine – no worries! Use beer or some extra chicken stock. Only have red bell peppers? Not a problem! Truly, whatever you have on hand is going to work. The flavors are all there
If you are looking for other great one pot or chicken meals, try this Chicken Pot Pie (made in a skillet!), or this EASY Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Equipment needed
You’ll need a large skillet with a lid, or a dutch oven for this recipe, but no special equipment is needed otherwise. I hope you love it as much as my family does!
What IS Arroz con Pollo?
Arroz con Pollo is literally translated as “rice with chicken” It’s a tasty Chicken & Rice dish that originated in Spain & Puerto Rico. It is a classic meal made in one pot, that is closely related to Paella.
Which rice to use for Arroz con Pollo:
Traditionally, Calasparra rice is used, but as that is difficult to find – I use both arborio rice (that I use in risotto), and regular long-grain rice interchangeably with no issues. Using arborio rice will get you a creamier texture, but you will have to stir it more often!
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
Chicken Temperature
Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F when tested with a digital thermometer in the thickest part.
- Add a can of fire-roasted tomatoes when you add the stock, you’ll get a deliciously smoky flavor, with the added flavor of the tomatoes.
- Adding some chorizo, or smoked sausage is another great way to add extra flavor and protein to this classic dish, without deviating too far from the original!
Ingredients:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
- Chicken– I use bone-in chicken thighs, but bone out works just as well. I don’t use breasts, as they tend to dry out with
- Olive oil and butter – I always use salted butter – if you use unsalted butter, add a little extra salt.
- Onions, Bell Peppers – dice these up the same size. You could use any color bell peppers.
- Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, Bay Leaves, Paprika, Saffron – these all build the deep flavor of this dish! You can play around with the amounts of seasoning to your tastes.
- Rice – see above for rice notes. I used regular long-grain rice in this recipe.
- Wine – totally optional. You could use beer or extra chicken stock if you wish.
- Chicken Stock – buy this or make your own chicken stock.
- Peas – I use frozen peas, and I don’t bother to thaw them!
- Roasted Red Peppers – these ARE optional, but they add a lovely sweetness and pretty color to the final dish.
How to make Arroz con Pollo
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
- Cook the chicken – Heat the oil over medium-high heat, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add the chicken skin side own to the skillet, turning to brown each side. (We’re not fully cooking it right now, just browning, so don’t worry that it is still pink). Remove the browned chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables – add the onions, red pepper, green pepper and cook until softened, then add the garlic, cumin and oregano.
- Cook the rice – Add the rice, and allow the oil/butter to coat each grain, then deglaze with white wine (sub chicken broth if you don’t want to use wine).
- Add the bay leaf, the stock, paprika, and saffron and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil.
- Return the chicken to the pot, resting it gently on top, then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- The chicken is cooked when it reaches 165 degrees F when tested with a thermometer.
- Devour!
Want more one-pot meals? (Of course you do)
- Creamy Sausage Pasta – Using just one pan and items from the pantry, it’s super-fast and perfect for weeknights!
- One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta. Ready in less than 30 minutes that makes EVERYONE need seconds. Change up the pasta, and the cheese, but make it over and over!
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Arroz con Pollo
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- salt and black pepper ( to taste)
- 2 Tbs olive oil
- 1 Tbs butter
- 1 onion (finely diced)
- ½ red bell pepper (finely diced)
- ½ green bell pepper (finely diced)
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1.75 cups rice
- 1/2 cup wine (use extra stock if you prefer)
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- pinch saffron threads
- 1 cup peas (if frozen no need to thaw)
OPTIONAL
- 1 cup roasted red peppers sliced (sliced)
Directions
- Heat a dutch oven with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add as much chicken as will fit in the pan without crowding – cook until the chicken it is golden brown on the bottom, 3-4 minutes. Turn the chicken over and cook until the other side is browned, 3-4 minutes longer; the chicken will still be pink inside.
- Transfer the chicken to a large plate. Repeat until all of the chicken is browned.
- Pour off all but 1 Tbs of oil, and melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion and bell peppers and cook until the vegetables start to become tender, 3-4 minutes.
- Add the garlic, cumin, oregano and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
- Add the rice and stir well to allow the oil to coat each grain, then add the wine (if using) and allow to deglaze.
- Add the bay leaves, stock, smoked paprika and saffron. Bring to a boil.
- Add chicken to top of rice and juices. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked, rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (25-30mins)
- Sprinkle the frozen peas over the top and red peppers.
- Cover and cook until heated through.
- Remove bay leaves and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Jan Forbes says
Made this for dinner last night. We had friends over and they absolutely loved it. I will definitely be making it again. Really easy to make, oh and hubby & I loved it too. Give it a try.^
Jan Forbes says
Made this for dinner last night. We had friends over and they absolutely loved it. I will definitely be making it again. Really easy to make, oh and hubby & I loved it too. Give it a try.
Katerina says
This looks so good! Thank you for sharing – I am bookmarking for use this weekend! Yum!
Kate says
Total comfort food