Classic Arroz con Pollo

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 06/29/21
Arroz con pollo in pan. horizontal top view
ALLEKO / Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Arroz con pollo, which means rice with chicken, is similar to paella. It is a classic chicken and rice dish popular in many Latin American countries and parts of the US. This is a Spanish version with saffron, along with chopped pimientos and tomato sauce. 

This version is made with chicken parts, but feel free to use boneless chicken thighs in the recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (3 1/2-pound) frying chicken, cut into pieces

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped celery

  • 1 medium green bell pepper

  • 1 medium onion

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 cup long-grain rice

  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups water, or low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crumbled saffron

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimientos, drained

Steps to Make It

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel.

  2. Chop the celery into 1/4-inch pieces. Slice the bell pepper in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Chop the pepper into 1/4-inch dice. Peel and chop the onion. Mince the garlic. Set the vegetables aside.

  3. Place a large, deep, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, arrange the chicken pieces in the pan. Cook the chicken, turning until browned on all sides, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan; discard the remaining oil.

  4. To the skillet add the celery, bell pepper, and onion. Saute for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Add the rice, tomato sauce, water, saffron, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and about 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to blend and then add the chicken back to the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender. 

  5. Fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt and pepper, as needed.

  6. Stir in the pimiento and heat for another minute or two.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1184 Calories
69g Fat
23g Carbs
113g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 1184
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 69g 88%
Saturated Fat 17g 87%
Cholesterol 349mg 116%
Sodium 828mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 9%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 113g
Vitamin C 53mg 267%
Calcium 106mg 8%
Iron 7mg 38%
Potassium 1410mg 30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)