Chicken Rice / Arroz con Pollo

Colombian-Style arroz con pollo is one of the best recipes you could do! Rice with chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Colombia and South America, but every country has their own variation.

It is somehow like the seafood Paella we know, but instead it is made of chicken, and achiote/annatto powder which will give it a nice orange/yellowish color, and we add to this dish lots of garlic and coriander.  The garlic will not make the dish taste garlicky, instead, it will make it delicious.

 

Chicken Rice / Arroz con Pollo

Ingredients:

1.2kg chicken, assorted pieces

1 tbs achiote powder

1 tbs ground cumin

½ tbs ground coriander

10 garlic cloves, crushed

2-3 tbs oil

1 white onion, diced

2 celery stalks, finely diced

4 tomatoes, peeled and diced

half red pepper and half green pepper, diced

6 sliced hot dogs (Optional)

3 ½ cup water or broth

2 cups rice

2 medium carrots, diced

1 cup peas, fresh or frozen

3 tbs finely chopped cilantro

Salt and pepper

Preparation: 

Mix the crushed garlic, achiote, cumin, coriander and salt together.

 Rub the garlic seasoning on the chicken pieces. 

Heat the oil or butter on medium high heat in large sauté pan, add the chicken pieces (skin side down) and cook until browned on each side. 

Add the diced onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, and celery, mix well and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

 Add the sliced hot dogs

Add the rice, peas and carrots, mix well.

Add the broth or water, and coriander, also the salt and pepper.

Cover and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes. 

Reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the rice is tender but still slightly firm. 

ENJOY!