Arros Con Pollo(Rice With Chicken)
Arros Con Pollo is a flavorful Latin American rice dish with tender chicken, aromatic spices, vegetables, and vibrant saffron or bijol, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 chickens ⓘ
- 3 cups white wine or beer ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 to 2 bay leaves
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vinegar ⓘ
- 1 can peas or frozen peas ⓘ
- 1 can asparagus ⓘ
- 2 cups long grain rice
- 1 large onion, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1 can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 can pimento with juice ⓘ
- bijol or saffron to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the chicken in a skillet, then add onions, green pepper, bay leaf, garlic, salt, vinegar, tomato sauce, olive oil, cumin, and some wine or beer. Cook until the chicken is browned.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add rice and saffron or bijol to the skillet.
- Pour in the remaining wine or beer, then add peas and asparagus.
- Cover and transfer to an oven preheated to 325°F, or finish cooking on the stove for about 30 minutes.
- Check if the rice is tender; if not, add more wine or beer and cook until done.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the white wine or beer with garlic and cumin for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have bijol, saffron can be a great substitute, giving the dish its signature color and taste. You can also use brown rice for a healthier option, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Arros Con Pollo with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad to balance the flavors. It pairs beautifully with Honeyed Chicken for a delicious meal spread. For an authentic touch, consider a side of fried plantains or a light salsa.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Arros Con Pollo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the rice from drying out, and microwave or warm on the stovetop until heated through. This dish can also be frozen for up to a month.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Arros Con Pollo(Rice With Chicken) contains roughly 1489 calories, with 52g protein, 222g carbohydrates, and 67g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (260% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (192% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1458mg per serving (63% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, boneless chicken can be used for quicker cooking. Just adjust the cooking time as boneless pieces typically cook faster. Ensure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
What can I substitute for the wine or beer?
If you prefer not to use alcohol, chicken broth or a mix of vinegar and water can work well as a substitute. This will still provide moisture and flavor to the dish without the alcohol content.
Is it necessary to use saffron?
While saffron adds a unique flavor and color, it's not strictly necessary. If you don't have saffron, bijol is a great alternative. You can also skip it entirely, but the dish may lack some of its characteristic color.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).