Arroz con Pollo y Chorizo
A flavorful one-pot rice dish featuring tender chicken and smoky Spanish chorizo, simmered with sofrito, olives, and capers in a rich tomato-based broth.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 8 oz Spanish Chorizo(sliced)
- 2 cups Medium-Grain Rice(rinsed)
- 1/4 cup Sofrito(homemade or store-bought)
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup Pimento-Stuffed Olives(sliced)
- 2 tbsp Capers(drained)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 packet Sazón con Culantro y Achiote(for color and flavor)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, then remove and set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Add the sliced chorizo to the pot and cook until it renders some of its fat, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the chorizo and set aside with the chicken.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add the minced garlic and sofrito to the pot and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 minutes💡 Tip: Be careful not to burn the garlic. - 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, Sazón packet, olives, and capers. Cook for another 2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Return the browned chicken and cooked chorizo to the pot. Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat everything with the sauce.
💡 Tip: Ensure the rice is evenly distributed. - 6
Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
⏱️ 25 minutes💡 Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during the simmering process. - 7
Once cooked, let the rice rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes off the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs adds more flavor and moisture to the dish.
- ✓If you can't find Spanish chorizo, a good quality smoked paprika sausage can be substituted.
- ✓Adjust the amount of liquid if needed; some rice varieties absorb more or less water.
🔄 Variations
- Add a diced red bell pepper along with the sofrito for extra color and sweetness.
- Stir in some peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking.