Arroz con Pollo Hondureño
A flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with rice, vegetables, and aromatic Honduran spices. It's a comforting and complete meal often served at family gatherings.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken pieces(thighs and drumsticks recommended)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or annatto oil
- 1 medium White onion(chopped)
- 0.5 medium Red or green bell pepper(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(crushed)
- 1 medium Large tomato(chopped)
- 0.25 cup Tomato sauce(small can)
- 1 tbsp Margarine
- 1 tsp Goya seasoning or annatto powder(for color)
- 2 cup Chicken broth
- 1.5 cup Long-grain white rice
- 0.5 cup Green peas(fresh or frozen)
- 0.5 cup Carrots(diced)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, deep pan or pot over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on all sides, then set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
In the same pan, add chopped onion, bell pepper, and crushed garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add chopped tomato and tomato sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Stir in the Goya seasoning or annatto powder and margarine. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pan.
💡 Tip: Annatto powder will give the dish a vibrant orange-yellow color. - 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is almost cooked through.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 6
Add the rice, peas, and carrots to the pan. Stir to combine. Ensure the liquid covers the rice; add more broth or water if needed.
💡 Tip: The liquid ratio to rice is typically 2:1, but may vary depending on the rice type. - 7
Cover the pan again and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Avoid stirring too much to prevent mushy rice.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 8
Let the Arroz con Pollo rest, covered, for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the chicken in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓If you don't have annatto powder, you can use a pinch of turmeric for color, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓Ensure you use a pan with a tight-fitting lid to allow the rice to steam properly.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like corn kernels or diced potatoes.
- For a spicier version, add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other vegetables.
- Some recipes include a splash of white wine when adding the broth for added depth of flavor.