Arroz Con Pollo(Chicken And Rice Casserole)
A flavorful chicken and rice casserole infused with saffron, tomatoes, and herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 lb. chicken, cut into 10 pieces ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. finely chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. canned crushed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. saffron threads ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 c. converted rice
- 1 Tbsp. drained capers ⓘ
- 9 oz. frozen green peas ⓘ
- 6 1/2 oz. can fancy pimentos, cut into strips ⓘ
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped garlic ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. boneless smoked ham, cubed ⓘ
- 4 ripe plum tomatoes, peeled and diced ⓘ
- 3 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 12 green olives stuffed with pimentos ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.
- Remove chicken pieces and place them in a baking dish, keeping warm.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion, green pepper, garlic, and ham; cook until vegetables are tender.
- Add crushed tomatoes, saffron threads, bay leaf, and cooked mixture; simmer for a few minutes.
- Stir in rice, capers, pimentos, green peas, and chicken broth.
- Place browned chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover and bake for about 45 minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from oven, discard bay leaf, and garnish with stuffed olives and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, garlic, and herbs overnight. If you don't have saffron, you can substitute with turmeric for color, though it won’t impart the same flavor. To save time, use rotisserie chicken and add it towards the end of baking. Pair with a side of Riz Au Safran for a delightful meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Arroz Con Pollo with a fresh salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken Pesto Pita Pizzas for a fun twist. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Arroz Con Pollo(Chicken And Rice Casserole) contains roughly 876 calories, with 31g protein, 156g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (153% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (120% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1348mg per serving (59% 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 brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid. Brown rice typically takes longer to cook, so add an additional 15-20 minutes to the baking time and increase the broth by 1/2 cup.
What if I don't have chicken broth?
If you don't have chicken broth, you can substitute with vegetable broth or water. However, using broth will enhance the flavor significantly. For a richer taste, consider adding a splash of white wine to the mixture.
Can I add other vegetables to the dish?
Absolutely! Feel free to include vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or even corn to enhance the dish. Just make sure to cut them into similar sizes for even cooking. Mixing in a handful of spinach towards the end can also add a nutritious element.
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).