Arroz con Pollo y Guisantes
A flavorful one-pot rice dish featuring tender chicken and sweet green peas, seasoned with sofrito and achiote for a vibrant color and authentic taste.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Achiote oil (or annatto powder)
- 3 tbsp Sofrito
- 4 oz Tomato sauce
- 1 packet Sazón con culantro y achiote
- 1 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp Oregano
- 1 large Bay leaf
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 2 cups Medium-grain rice(rinsed)
- 1 cup Green peas(frozen or fresh)
- 0.25 cup Pimento-stuffed green olives(sliced)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces generously with adobo, garlic powder, and oregano.
💡 Tip: Allow chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes. - 2
Heat olive oil and achiote oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- 3
Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 4
Reduce heat to medium. Add sofrito to the pot and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- 5
Stir in tomato sauce, Sazón packet, and bay leaf. Cook for another minute.
- 6
Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- 7
Stir in the rinsed rice and sliced olives. Ensure rice is submerged.
💡 Tip: If needed, add a little more broth or water to cover the rice. - 8
Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 9
Add the green peas over the rice. Cover and continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
💡 Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during this time to allow the rice to steam properly. - 10
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, remove bay leaf, and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
- ✓Adjust the amount of achiote oil to achieve your desired color.
- ✓Ensure the rice is well-rinsed to remove excess starch, which can make the dish gummy.
🔄 Variations
- Add diced carrots or potatoes along with the rice for a heartier dish.
- Incorporate a pinch of saffron for an extra layer of flavor and color.
- For a spicier kick, add a minced habanero pepper with the sofrito.