Simple & Tasty Arroz con Pollo Recipe for Family Dinners

Crafting a delightful arroz con pollo recipe brings warmth and comfort to any kitchen table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish across Latin American homes.

Fragrant rice mingles with tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Spices weave magic through each grain, promising a meal that feels like a loving embrace.

Colorful vegetables add vibrant texture and nutritional depth to this hearty one-pot wonder.

Simple ingredients combine to tell a story of cultural tradition and culinary passion.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this soul-satisfying meal that connects generations through its delicious simplicity.

Why Arroz con Pollo Is a Comfort Food Classic

• Boost Family Meal Enjoyment: Packed with colorful vegetables and tender chicken, this one-pot wonder creates a delicious, nutritious meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table.
• Master Cooking Techniques: Learn simple yet powerful cooking methods like simmering chicken, sautéing vegetables, and perfectly cooking rice, all in a single recipe that builds culinary confidence.
• Versatile Comfort Dish: Adaptable to different tastes and ingredients, this arroz con pollo offers a hearty, satisfying meal that works great for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings with friends and family.
• Flavor-Packed Celebration: Combines Latin American culinary traditions with bold seasonings like adobo, beer, and Worcestershire sauce, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

What You’ll Need to Make Flavorful Arroz con Pollo

• Chicken: A tender, flavorful main protein that forms the heart of this traditional dish.

• Onions, Bell Pepper: Provide a sweet and savory base that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic dimension to the recipe.
• Peas, Carrots, Green Beans: Bring color, nutrition, and textural variety to the dish.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbal brightness to the final presentation.

• Chicken Broth, Beer: Create a rich, complex cooking liquid for the chicken and rice.
• Adobo Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce, Salt: Provide depth and balanced seasoning.
• Ketchup: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a rich sauce.
• Butter: Helps sauté vegetables and adds richness.
• Olives: Contribute a briny, tangy element to the final dish.

Cook Up Arroz con Pollo in Just a Few Steps

Step 1: Cook Chicken in Savory Broth

Place chicken, onions, chicken broth, beer, adobo seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cilantro, and garlic into a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Step 2: Shred Chicken and Strain Broth

Remove chicken from the pot and let it cool. Once cooled, shred the chicken, discarding skin and bones.

Strain the cooking broth into a separate bowl.

Step 3: Prepare Rice and Vegetables

• Measure the broth
• Add water to reach 4 cups total
• Pour broth back into pot
• Add rice
• Add peas
• Add carrots
• Add green beans
• Add ketchup
• Add salt

Stir ingredients thoroughly and bring to a boil.

Allow liquid to reduce below rice level for about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until rice becomes tender.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetables and Chicken

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers until tender, approximately 8 minutes.

Add shredded chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Combine and Garnish

Fluff rice with a fork.

Mix in chicken and sautéed vegetables. Stir in olives and sprinkle remaining cilantro on top.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Best Tips for Juicy Chicken and Tender Rice

• Boost flavor by using homemade chicken broth for a richer taste profile.
• Choose long-grain rice for the best texture and prevent mushy results.
• Swap chicken thighs for leaner chicken breasts if preferred for a healthier option.
• Toast rice briefly before adding liquid to enhance its nutty undertones and prevent clumping.
• Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain maximum moisture and tenderness.

Creative Versions of Arroz con Pollo to Try

• Seafood Fusion: Replace chicken with a mix of shrimp, mussels, and white fish for a coastal-inspired version that brings ocean flavors to the classic dish.
• Vegetarian Power Bowl: Swap chicken with protein-packed tofu or tempeh, adding roasted chickpeas and extra vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Caribbean Edition: Incorporate scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and extra cayenne to give the rice a bold, fiery Caribbean-style heat that transforms the traditional recipe.
• One-Pot Slow Cooker Style: Adapt the recipe for a hands-off approach by layering all ingredients in a slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-7 hours, creating a hands-free meal with deep, melded flavors.

What Complements Arroz con Pollo Beautifully

• Pair Zesty Sangria with Dish: A vibrant red sangria loaded with fresh fruits complements the rich, savory flavors of arroz con pollo, balancing the meal's spices and creating a festive dining experience.
• Serve Crisp Green Salad Alongside: A light, tangy salad with mixed greens, citrus vinaigrette, and sliced avocados provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty chicken and rice, adding brightness to the plate.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Warm, buttery garlic bread with a crispy exterior helps soak up the delicious sauce and adds a complementary texture to the main dish, creating a satisfying complete meal.

Save and Reheat Arroz con Pollo the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled Arroz con Pollo to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label containers with date and contents.
• Microwave Reheating: Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons water over rice to restore moisture. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

All the Arroz con Pollo Questions—Answered

• Is arroz con pollo a traditional Latin American dish?

Yes, it’s a popular one-pot meal originating in Spain and widely enjoyed across Latin America, especially in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Colombia.

• What makes the broth flavorful in this recipe?

The combination of chicken broth, beer, adobo seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic creates a deeply rich and complex base flavor for the dish.

• Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for peas, carrots, and green beans, you can substitute with other vegetables like corn, bell peppers, or zucchini based on your preference.

Arroz con Pollo Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sizzling Latin flavors dance through this classic arroz con pollo recipe, bringing Puerto Rican comfort straight to your kitchen. Juicy chicken nestled in fragrant rice promises a delicious journey that will transport you to sun-drenched Caribbean streets with each savory bite.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 (3 to 4-pound) chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
• 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
• 8 ounces (226 grams) green beans, trimmed and quartered
• 1 cup fresh chopped cilantro leaves

Liquid and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium)
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) light beer (such as lager)
• 3 tablespoons adobo seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup pimento-stuffed olives
• 3 cups white rice

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Instructions

1. Combine chicken, quartered onions, chicken broth, beer, adobo seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, half the cilantro, and garlic in a large pot. Simmer at low heat for 30-35 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
2. Remove chicken from the pot and let it cool. Shred the meat, discarding skin and bones. Strain the cooking liquid into a separate bowl.
3. Adjust the broth volume to 4 cups by adding water if needed. Return liquid to the pot and incorporate rice, peas, carrots, green beans, ketchup, and salt. Bring to a boil and allow liquid to reduce below rice level for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and cook rice for 25 minutes until tender and fully absorbed.
5. Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers until softened, about 8 minutes.
6. Add shredded chicken to the skillet and warm through for 2-3 minutes.
7. Fluff rice with a fork, then gently fold in the chicken, vegetables, and olives. Garnish with remaining cilantro before serving.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by marinating chicken overnight in the broth mixture for deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Swap beer with chicken broth or white wine for different dietary preferences or alcohol-free options.
• Use brown rice for added nutritional value and a nuttier texture, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
• Replace chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian versions, maintaining the same seasoning technique.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg