Arroz Con Pollo(Chicken And Rice)
Arroz con Pollo is a flavorful Latin American dish featuring tender chicken simmered with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and vibrant seasonings. The dish combines savory rice with olives, capers, and pimentos, offering a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings with bold, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb. ready to cook chicken, cut into serving pieces ⓘ
- 2 chopped cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground oregano ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 2 tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. capers
- 1/4 c. olives ⓘ
- 1 lb. rice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. achote coloring or 1 envelope sazon goya ⓘ
- 2 c. water or broth ⓘ
- 4 pimentos ⓘ
- 1 c. peas ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix salt, garlic, and oregano; rub the mixture inside and outside the chicken pieces.
- Sauté chopped tomatoes, green pepper, and onion in a pan.
- Add the chicken to the sautéed vegetables and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add achote coloring or sazon goya, rice, olives, and capers; mix well.
- Add water or broth, stir, and cover the pan.
- Cook until the rice is done and all water has been absorbed, about 25 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with strips of pimentos and peas.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the salt, garlic, and oregano mixture overnight. You can substitute brown rice for white rice for a healthier option, but cooking time may vary. If you don’t have capers, try using chopped pickles or green olives instead. For a vegetarian take, replace the chicken with hearty vegetables or tofu, following similar cooking steps.
Serving Suggestions
Arroz con Pollo is excellent served with a side of avocado salad or black beans to complement the dish's flavors. Garnish with fresh cilantro or lime wedges for an extra zing. This dish pairs beautifully with Depression Days Vegetable Salad for a complete meal. Enjoy with your favorite hot sauce for a bit of heat!
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers 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 cover the container. Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Arroz Con Pollo(Chicken And Rice) contains roughly 1472 calories, with 46g protein, 263g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (127% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (109% of the Daily Value), and protein (92% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it's best to thaw it first for even cooking. If using frozen, increase the simmering time to ensure it's fully cooked through before adding the rice.
What can I substitute for olives in this recipe?
If you don't have olives, you can use additional capers or even chopped pickles for a similar briny flavor. Alternatively, you can omit them entirely if desired.
How can I make Arroz con Pollo spicier?
To add some heat, incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the sautéed vegetables. You can also serve the dish with hot sauce on the side to let each person adjust the spice level to their liking.
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).