One a scale of 1 to romantic… where do you fall?
I fall at the medium-low level… let’s call if a 4.6. ย Go easy on the candle light, long stem roses, and limo rides (unless there’s a hot tub in back). ย I don’t need jewelry, but diamonds are always nice (it’s a paradox, I dunno…). ย Carriage rides? ย Meh. ย Horse rides? ย Cooler. ย Horse ride followed by margaritas? ย Now you’re on to something.
I’m not the heart locket and stuffed animal type. ย I’m more the Le Creuset and expensive chocolate type.
I also think large pots of warm rice and chicken are an 8.7 on the romantic scale.
ย 
This is a really lovely, one-pot dish, that starts with wine and saffron.
Many good things come from wine and saffron.
Olives, rice, and chicken. ย That’s all we’re getting ourselves into.
In a pot together, magic romantic things happen.
Bubble and simmer. ย Bubble and simmer.
Everything in the pot, and the rice soaks it all up.
There’s no way to dry the chicken, or otherwise futz up this dish. ย If the rice gets burned and crunchy on the bottom… that’s totally the best part.
There are a few tricks… if you’re using a large pot, make sure that you move it around on the burner so that the simmer hits every part of the pan. ย Fifteen minutes in the center of the pot. ย Ten minutes on one side of the pot. ย Ten minutes on the other side of the pot. ย Sometimes pockets of rice can remain uncooked if the pan is too large. ย Also.. don’t be afraid to add a touch more broth if your rice isn’t cooking up. ย No worries. ย Keep it easy.
ย This Arroz con Pollo is a super classic, ultra-comforting dish. ย Listen… if you’d like to claim that your mother makes a better Arroz con Pollo that I do… guess what? ย You’re probably right. ย This dish is good… really really good. ย I just don’t want to do battle with your mother… that’s all I’m saying.
I’d love for you to make this dish for a special someone on, or near Valentine’s Day. ย It’s comfort food that should be shared with love. ย After dinner you can both stand around the pot with spoons and scrape the bottom of the pot for crunchy rice bits while you finish the bottle of wine. ย That’s romance. ย That’s friendship. ย That’s just love.
Arroz con Pollo
Dinner for Two, Leftovers for Two
adapted from Martha Stewart
makes 4 pieces of chicken
3/4 cup dry white wine
pinch of saffron threads (just a few strands is plenty)
4 chicken thighs (skin on)
salt and pepper for seasoning chicken
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (mostly drained)
1 bay leaf
about 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste) and 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
2 1/4 cups chicken broth (you may need a bit more)
1 1/2 cups white rice
scant 1 cup large green pimento olives
Combine wine and saffron in a small bowl. ย The saffron will begin to breed yellow. ย Great! ย Set aside.
In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. ย Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
Place chicken pieces, skin side down, in the hot oil. ย Allow to crispy and fry for 4 to 5 minutes. ย Flip over and cook for another 2 minutes. ย Remove the chicken pieces from the hot pan and place on a clean plate.
Add onions and garlic to the pan. ย Cook, stirring, until soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Add the partially drained can of tomatoes, bay leaf, ย salt and pepper, and saffron wine. ย Allow to simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced by half, about 10-15 minutes.
Add the rice to the pot. ย Add the chicken broth and chicken pieces. ย Top with olives. ย Reduce the heat to low, place the lid on the pot, and allow to simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 30-40 minutes.*
*ย There are a few tricks… if you’re using a large pot, make sure that you move it around on the burner so that the simmer hits every part of the pan. ย Fifteen minutes in the center of the pot. ย Ten minutes on one side of the pot. ย Ten minutes on the other side of the pot. ย Sometimes pockets of rice can remain uncooked if the pan is too large. ย Also.. don’t be afraid to add a touch more broth if your rice isn’t cooking up. ย No worries. ย Keep it easy.
Check the rice after 30 minutes to make sure that it is cooking evenly. ย Add more broth, a cup at a time, if necessary.
Once cooked, allow to rest for 10 minutes with the lid on.
Serve warm.
Dish will last, in a container in the fridge, for up to 3 or 4 days.
144 Responses
I first made this recipe in 2012. It is now 2021 and still one of my go-to recipes. I love it.
I made this for 14 in a BIG pot. It was delicious! The theme was Peruvian and it was my first attempt. Trying again tonight for just 12. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve made this recipe several times now. It’s seriously fool proof.
Tried out using whole grain rice once and it didn’t fair as well, but half white, half whole grain cooked up nicely.
Don’t be afraid of the green olives, it adds a layer of flavor that you don’t want to omit :) thanks joy! I come back to the site constantly for this recipe.
This recipe is amazing!! I always start dreaming about it when Valentine’s day comes around ??
Just made this recipe tonight…. OMG, heavenly! I left out the olives, though, because I don’t like olives, lol, but honestly I don’t think they were missed. And you’re right — the crispy bits on the bottom are the best part!
So excited to have a new bomb recipe in my arsenal! Thanks, Joy!!
I made this last week. Delicious thankyou. Quick and easy dinner and even better the next day.
I did not have enough of the olives in the pantry so I added some marinated artichoke hearts as well. Really really good.
You had me at green olives!!
Used arborio rice, whole tomato instead of canned, and added double smoked bacon. So good! Can’t wait to make it again.
Hi Joy! I am wondering if this recipe could be adapted for a slow cooker and how should it be adjusted?
-J
I haven’t tried it, so i really can’t say. I think if your do a Google search you may find more info. Thanks!
Warm, cozy, comforting…perfect for these chilly SF summer nights ;)
Featured this on my High-Five Fridays! thanks for the inspiration, Joy!
I tried this tonight! The combination of flavors was delicious and the chicken came out so juicy and tender. I had some problems with the rice (too hard at first, then too mushy), but I’ll try again!
This recipe inspired me to buy saffron for the first time. Can’t wait for this rice to be done cooking!
PS Bought one book already and shipping another to my BFF for her birthday. I really like your blog. Thanks.
Loved this recipe and will make it again and again! Details were perfect, thank you!
I made this twice this weekend, including a double batch for my Cuban inlaws. They loved it. Everyone had seconds!
mmmm…arroz con pollo…. can’t stop daydreaming about it… we’ve had it twice already, no three times actually : )…
Super yums Joy! I love how it’s ridiculously easy and oh so pretty.
so listen.
I made this.
with my boyfriend.
AND NOW I’m eating the leftovers (with a bit of salad greens tossed in there) at my lunch break at work. I think this could quite possibly be the happiest i’ve ever been during my lunch break. thanks joy! my boyfriend thanks you too :)
Help! I made it. It was delish. But my saffron didn’t bleed. Did I buy crappy saffron?
Made this last night, it was delicious! And my boyfriend who doesn’t like olives actually agreed to try them and has been converted. Double win! Thank you :)
Thanks for the great girlfriend points! It was delicious. And that crunchy rice at the bottom is YUM
so, i made this… and it was delicious! AND, my picky husband loved it :) thanks for all of your great recipes and posts, they are so fun to read!
p.s.- this recipe made me feel like a chef.
Joy, I just made this! It turned out delicious…but I did leave out the olives (didn’t have any).
Joy. This. Recipe. Is. Awesome!
Accompanied by romance, friendship and love!
Soooo yummy, yummy. Like the story behind it, with wine and everything. Thank you!
I made this last night only modified by using boneless/skinless chicken breasts dredged in flour and capers instead of olives (didn’t have the olives and not a huge fan of the green guys).
This was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe – it is a definite keeper and will be made again and again – loved it!
This is just amazing! Just polished off the leftovers. I used arborio rice and the texture was dreamy. Thank you!!
I think I’m a very romantic person, but not the kind of romance that involves roses and boxes of chocolates and carriage rides. Just the kind that means showing your loved ones that you pay attention, and that you know them well, and know what makes them happy.
Arroz con pollo makes me happy. I think I’ll have to try your recipe: I don’t usually use the wine and saffron but that sounds terrific.
Made this last week and it was absolutely delicious. Easy to make, tasty and warming, and makes great leftovers, loved it!
Hhahah love the comment about cheap/expensive. So true!
Made this for dinner tonight. You’re right– really, really good. My chicken thighs were pretty small, so we ate all four, but I’m already looking forward to the tasty leftover rice.
This is it ! we can celebrate valentines at home . thank you for posting this recipe of your thanks for sharing it :)
What a beautiful looking dish! I don’t eat chicken but the rest looks delicious olives and rice with seasonings, one pot, count me in! I too am a big sucker for Le Creuset or Emile Henry vs. anything that dangles from me or dies in a week! Love love the photos.
Hmmmm, it smells so good. And looks so…..”Let’s eat in front of the fire and bring that carafe with us.”
Now we’re talkin romance!
If this is love – I want to be in it. And I do believe this is true love :)
Also, I completely agree – – I’m not a huge fan of all the jazzy valentines day gifts. But, give me le creuset and you can keep me forever.
Arroz con Pollo!!! I add cilantro with the onion, garlic and tomatoes, let simmer then add olives with capers and instead of wine use beer. After the rice absorbs the liquid just stir and lower the heat to medium or medium low. Cover with the lid and in 10 minutes check it again…if the rice grains are not translucent add a little bit of liquid (broth, beer or wine), let continue cooking for 10-15 more minutes with the lid on an on low heat and you will have you have perfection!
Cuban approved! Me gusta!
Last year I got flours for Valentine’s Day. Yes, flours not flowers. Isn’t he clever?
Your recipes make me think I need a Dutch oven! It was on my Christmas list without any go-getters… I guess it’ll move on to my birthday list. Looks delicious!
Rice and Chicken was a classic and wonderful combination. The crunchy bits of rice at the bottom have always been my favorites! Great recipe thank you!
I think my romance scale is very close to yours. As a matter of fact, we don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day in our house – a box of See’s nuts and chews is all I ask for. No jewelry, no flowers, no presents. A kiss, a cup of coffee that I don’t have to get up and make, and all the Scotchmallows in the box. Ahh, love.
what kind of rice do you use or recommend?
this looks delicious! the stove-top rice cooking isn’t the norm for our ‘ohana. we go through rice so quickly in our house that 3 cups of rice/night is the standard in our rice cooker. but we just might have to change it up …
omg you have just made me so hungry even though i just ate :’)
I do a version of this at home but with a whole chicken and just put it in the oven till the chicken is cooked, then you don’t have to worry about the size of the pot and cooking everything evenly
love your blog by the way x
This looks so good. I’ll have to try it. Also, your writing is excellent.
I’m more of a fake pearls and vintage high heels kind of girl. Get me a food processor for Valentine’s Day and I’d love you forever. And even wear the heels while operating it. That’s glamour.
it’s mouthwatering & make me really hungry now.
Le Creuset all the way!! I am SO in love with everything from that place! Forget the diamonds and jewelry, one of those posts is MUCH more practical and he’ll benefit from it as well. And one (a big one) FILLED with some chocolate wouldn’t be a bad idea either. ;-)
Yes, I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning. I meant to say POT. I’d do much better with a pot than a post! *getting coffee started…*
I’m a spaniard so Arroz con pollo is a staple in this house… actually it’s a type of Paella :)
Love your recipe, never tried adding olives!!!!
Kisses from Spain!!
lorena
oh wow, since valentines day is near i also want to make this for our romantic dinner so excited.
hope my husband will love this. I have few days left to practice :)
oh, joy! arroz con pollo is one of my fave warm weather dishes!
So clear why we are friends… you get me! I wish you as well a dark chocolate-filled, margarita-fueled, enameled cast iron kinda Valentines Day. :)
I’m more of a dessert kinda romantic person than a dinner romantic person, but this looks awesome! =)
Lucky is the person you’re sharing that with :)
I will be making this. So enticing!!!
easy, heartwarming and simple valentine’s dinner. love. :)
Home-made dinners are so delicious. I’ve never had arroz con pollo, but this really does look like it would be great to have for dinner one night.
I do have to argue with you on one thing: carraige rides > horse back riding when it comes to romantic ;) In my opinion at least :)
This looks absolutely delicious! And with a bottle of wine and possibly a homemade card, I’m all set to go. :)
Love arroz con pollo–this looks so good!
I guilty-pleasure-watch the Bachelor (because Mondays are hard?), and your opening line reminds me of “on a scale from 1 to 10, I feel like I’m going to throw up”
Ahhh, I can totally relate to your post! Well said :)
I’ve always wanted to try this dish and we almost always stay in for valentines day, so I think we might just be having this! Thanks for the great idea and the great post!
I love this post… now this is what I call romance. Cooking together, eating together, drinking together! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day evening with a special little lad!
Yay! Arroz con Pollo! When I was in Costa Rica, this was literally all we ate. Delicious. I have yet to get brave enough to try making it for myself, so as not to muddle the memory of the world’s most perfect Arroz con Pollo (eaten in GREAT quantities in Tamarindo, Costa Rica) but this recipe looks quite good- I think I’ll give it a try! Thanks Joy!
Nothing says “I love you” like a dutch oven. In my case, the statement of affection was a lovely grey Staub. It worked. :)
I’m going to make this tonight. With extra olives. My stomach is growling already.
This makes me really, really wish I didn’t hate olives or else I would totally make this for New Boyfriend next week.
Also, I’m totally with you on that Le Creuset thing. Duh.
My husband used to come home with pearl anklets and bracelets but noticed that I would never wear them. I finally had to tell him that .. Although I am not a jewelry or flower or stuffed animal kind of girl, I am most definitely a diamond kind of girl. And a Le Creuset kind of girl. And also, very much, a beer kind of girl.
Lovely, lovely love!
i’m excited. i actually took some chicken thighs out of the freezer last night and picked up can of tomatoes this morning with something like this in mind for dinner. you just made my evening so much easier. thanks!
I love that you said you’re more of an expensive chocolate and Le Creuset type. Flowers die, but Le Creuset is forever!
Joy,
This looks great! I notice that in the recipe you call for one small onion but in the photos, it looks like you use a red onion. Does it matter which one?
doesn’t matter what kind of onion.
I love your posts so, so much. You write so well, Joy!
Now that’s my idea of romance. A good (homemade) meal, a bottle (or two) of wine, and expensive chocolate. I can make that happen. I just need a valentine!
PS. This looks absolutely delicious. I am going to make it, even if it’s just for me, myself, and I!
sometimes me, myself, and i is the best date EVER!
Im definitely one of those “you had me at 11-3/4-Inch Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet” type…but he can get it for me in red if the holiday really calls for it.
aaahhh… red!
I think I probably fall somewhere around a 4.6, just like you, on the romantic scale. We plan to stay home, enjoy a home-cooked meal and play video games. Candle light? Probably not. Long stem roses? They take up too much table space that could be devoted to good food!
My favourite Valentine’s day gift was a Henckles chef knife. One of my favourite and most practical gifts I’ve received. I use it almost every day.
Also, great looking arroz con pollo recipe!
This looks amazing! I’ve actually been thinking about what I’m making for Valentine’s. I think for me homemade pasta sounds romantic….and something chocolatey after….
Eating the crunchy parts from the bottom has always been my mom and I’s favorite when she makes arroz con pollo!
Annnddd my search for the perfect thing to cook for the boyfriend for our pseudo V-day celebration on Sunday is over before it even began. Thanks Joy!!
Joy, please stop posting such tasty recipes. I already have a backlog of things to make from your site! :) I just might try this one this weekend!
Am 100% with you on the the horseride/margarita and crunchy rice fronts.
This dish straight-up brings back awesome memories of my childhood. It’s a shame I still haven’t made it for my hubby. Thanks for the reminder.
That looks so comfy!
This is so different from Peruvian ARROZ CON POLLO. Looks very nice though. I wonder where it’s from? Here’s our Peruvian version, if you’re curious. Thanks for this recipe:
https://perudelights.com/arroz-con-pollo/
Wow, this does sound like a dish I could dive into. I love one pot slow cooked meats and stews, it just will never run short on flavor. I can relate to your gift style, birthdays and Christmas time I always just let my family know that a GC to Williams Sonoma or any other food related store is the best way to go :)
Take care, and happy Valentines when it comes around…
“Cheap Wine, Expensive Saffron” should be a thing.
Oh Joy, this look ah-mazing. I love dishes that warm your heart from the inside out. Nothing more comforting than chicken and rice. I would say I am somewhere between a 4 and a 5 on the romantic scale. I am right there with you on the kitchen appliances as gifts…love me some le creuset. However, I would stand for some cheap Reese’s heart shape candy…they are my fave. I love horse carriage rides as well, unfortunately, I am allergic to horses and while I would love to break out in hives and have my throat close up, let’s save that for a day other than Valentine’s Day! haha! Definitely making this dish soon!
the valentines someone special in my life if getting your mini pretzel dogs for our stay at home movie night. There his favourite treat at one of the theatres in town but I don’t like being out for valentines day. I don’t think of myself as hopeless romantic, but if someone takes the time to light some candles and buy me jewelry I wont say it doesn’t feel nice.
Sounds like a delish dish!
Arroz con Pollo wins my heart every time.
The best gift my husband ever gave me was a season of Will & Grace on dvd. It used to come on Lifetime at 10pm and I love watching it while I got ready for bed. I was upset when it stopped (I love that show) and the next day the husband brought a season of it home for me.
God bless a man who listens. :)
I’ve avoided incessantly making this comment, but “I always LOVE seeing those charming napkins put to such perfect use.” Gives me a good day or two’s worth of smiles every time. And BTW, that kale and coconut dish……Obsessed!!!
This is totally getting made with the 1 pack of chicken thighs that have been in my freezer for a litttttle too long now.
arroz con pollo, french fries and crepes / an appetite for destruction but i scrape the plate.
were you listening to the blueprint when you made this? haha
I saw this on instagram and got excited! It looks so warm and comforting. I wish I had a Le Creuset! Love for sure.
Looks delish…could you use brown rice instead?
I could never fall for someone who gave me a stuffed animal for Valentine’s Day. It’s so not me. Give me a tortilla maker or a thermomix or a sous vide – now that’s love. :)
This dinner would be very romantic and maybe I’ll give it a go and see if I get a gift.
I wonder if Quorn would work to vegetarian-ize this (well, and vegetable stock, but that’s a given). It looks like it would work really well for a lazy meal too.
Of course, my husband doesn’t like olives, so I would probably use some capers, which also means less chopping!
You have the best plates. I’m in love with the black and white looking one on the left! The chicken also looks delicious.
i agree, horseback riding followed by margs is the way to go…and then followed by a big portion of arroz con pollo. heaven!
Nothing says romance like chicken and rice! This sounds delicious, and I haven’t made anything quite like this. I look forward to trying it. As always, thanks Joy!
Sounds and looks delicious.
I would totally make this but my special someone is allergic to tomatoes! Sad :(
Yes! This recipe has been lurking in the corners of my brain for a few weeks now, and I feel like this post is a divine sign, saying, stop thinking, do. I actually found the same Arroz con Pollo recipe in a discarded Martha Stewart magazine a year or so ago and made it with a dear friend. You’re right – it is love.
Stumbled across your blog a few days ago – love it!
I just love those little plates in the photos!
Too cute. I’d place myself pretty low on the romance scale too. I’m not really into the “traditional” Valentines stuff. The most romantic thing? To me, I’d be happier if my husband showed up with a bag of Skittles and told me he’d hired a babysitter that will drive herself home at the end of our night out for pizza and beer. . . . The Arroz con Pollo? I’d take that in a heartbeat too. It looks amazing! And the saffron – such an expensive little spice, but so worth it!
Can I use something else instead of the wine?
more chicken broth instead of wine!
I use cooking wine from the grocery store. Tastes the same but no alcohol
When I was a child, my dad used to scrape for me the bottom of the pan, where rice was golden burned, tasty and crunchy. Time for making it happen again ;-)
I bet this dish made the house smell DIVINE
I’m so not a hearts and candy girl. But a new le creuset? Maybe in deep red? Now that’s something I’d get misty over.
I think romance is whatever you make it. If that’s a pot of chicken and rice, so be it.
Hear hear! I echo the sentiment of this post 100% – romance doesn’t have to be all flash cars and sparkling diamonds (although I probably wouldn’t say no to the latter…) – it’s all about warmth, happiness and being with the person you love, however simple a meal you share. Love this recipe.
Joy it’s gorgeous.
Margaritas are always good. So are diamonds. So is champagne. So are Twinkies. I’m all about paradox, too :)
You’re right – Le Creuset and chocolates are where it’s at!
Le Creuset is definitely romantic! As is KitchenAid. Any guy who shows up on my front porch with either one is a keeper, in my book.
Holy yum! This recipe reminds me of a similar version to paella or briyani — bursting with flavors!!!
yumm..can i Join? :p
I totally agree that easy cleanup/anything cooked in one pot is romantic.
This looks just lovely and a true winter warmer!
I am soooooo hungry right now!! Am definitely going to make this for Valentine’s Day – thanks for the inspiration :-)
Be still my Puerto Rican heart! I’m touched that you did a post for a classic! Arroz con pollo!! Woot! Woot! And, if you hadn’t noticed Puerto Rican food is slowly gaining foodie status (Saveur did a whole spread on PR food back in December). Anyway, growing up as a child in Puerto Rico, I still have deeply imprinted memories of my grandmother making arroz con pollo and then saving herself the crunchy rice at the bottom called “pegao” in Spanish. There are as many ways to cook arroz con pollo as there are mothers and grandmothers that cook it. Thanks for your rendition. I’ll definitely give it a try!
Thank you. Thank you. I was racking my brain trying to remember the word “pegao”. The mother of one of my best friends in high school made this dish all the time and I’ve eaten it far too many times to count. Everyone in the family wanted the pegao, including me. I can’t wait to make this dish. They did use achiote (annatto oil) in their rice too though, so I might add some. Thanks for the reminder.
I too am a Le Creuset and expensive chocolate type. Those things and nice warm wool socks are the way to my heart.
This is on my to do list of recipes for next week now. It’s supposed to be really cold in a week and I think will be just the thing to warm us all up!
I’ve never had this and it’s been on my to try list for ages. Now, it seems, I must make it.
this looks AMAZING!!
I love comforting dishes such as this and these types of dishes make amazing leftovers. We love leftovers in this house.
It kind of reminds me of the chicken and rice served at Soul Food in San Rafael.
I love the touch with the olives (and by the way large pots of warm rice and chicken are romanic :-) )
I totally love crunchy rice. And wine, lots of wine. This dish and me… we’re going to be real good friends.
I also love the bottom-of-the-pan crunchy rice :) Ah, looking at these pictures, I can almost smell this stuff. Joy, thanks for the recipe and happy almost Valentine’s Day!
LOVE