Asopao de Pollo Dominicano
Asopao de Pollo is a hearty and flavorful one-pot chicken and rice stew, a comforting staple in Dominican cuisine. It's a thick, soupy rice dish enriched with chicken, smoked pork, and a medley of vegetables, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken(cut into pieces, seasoned with salt, pepper, and Dominican oregano)
- 0.5 lb Smoked pork chops(cut into small pieces)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 packet Sazón con achiote (or similar seasoning with annatto)
- 2 tbsp Chicken bouillon(or 2 cubes)
- 1.5 cups Long-grain rice
- 6 cups Water(hot)
- 0.5 cup Cilantro (recao)(chopped)
- 0.5 cup Peas
- 0.5 cup Corn kernels
- 1 tsp Dominican oregano(dried)
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Dominican oregano. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, then remove and set aside. Add the smoked pork chops to the pot and cook until lightly browned, then remove and set aside with the chicken.
- 2
Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and the Sazón seasoning. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 4
Return the browned chicken and smoked pork to the pot. Add the chicken bouillon, long-grain rice, and hot water. Stir everything to combine.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is almost cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- 6
Stir in the chopped cilantro, peas, corn kernels, and Dominican oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the stew has reached a thick, soupy consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a little more hot water.
- 7
Let the Asopao de Pollo rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use chicken thighs and drumsticks.
- ✓If you can't find Dominican oregano, regular oregano can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired consistency – some prefer it more soupy, others thicker.
- ✓Leftovers are excellent and often taste even better the next day.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots or celery.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of hot pepper flakes or a finely chopped ají picante.
- Some recipes include a splash of white wine or sour orange juice for added flavor.