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Arroz con Pollo

February 7, 2012 by Joy the Baker 144 Comments

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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.  Go easy on the candle light, long stem roses, and limo rides (unless there’s a hot tub in back).  I don’t need jewelry, but diamonds are always nice (it’s a paradox, I dunno…).  Carriage rides?  Meh.  Horse rides?  Cooler.  Horse ride followed by margaritas?  Now you’re on to something.

I’m not the heart locket and stuffed animal type.  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.

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This is a really lovely, one-pot dish, that starts with wine and saffron.

Many good things come from wine and saffron.

arroz con pollo

Olives, rice, and chicken.  That’s all we’re getting ourselves into.

In a pot together, magic romantic things happen.

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Bubble and simmer.  Bubble and simmer.

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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.  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.  Fifteen minutes in the center of the pot.  Ten minutes on one side of the pot.  Ten minutes on the other side of the pot.  Sometimes pockets of rice can remain uncooked if the pan is too large.  Also.. don’t be afraid to add a touch more broth if your rice isn’t cooking up.  No worries.  Keep it easy.

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 This Arroz con Pollo is a super classic, ultra-comforting dish.  Listen… if you’d like to claim that your mother makes a better Arroz con Pollo that I do… guess what?  You’re probably right.  This dish is good… really really good.  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.  It’s comfort food that should be shared with love.  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.  That’s romance.  That’s friendship.  That’s just love.

Arroz con Pollo

Dinner for Two, Leftovers for Two

adapted from Martha Stewart

makes 4 pieces of chicken

Print this Recipe!

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.  The saffron will begin to breed yellow.  Great!  Set aside.

In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.

Place chicken pieces, skin side down, in the hot oil.  Allow to crispy and fry for 4 to 5 minutes.  Flip over and cook for another 2 minutes.  Remove the chicken pieces from the hot pan and place on a clean plate.

Add onions and garlic to the pan.  Cook, stirring, until soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Add the partially drained can of tomatoes, bay leaf,  salt and pepper, and saffron wine.  Allow to simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced by half, about 10-15 minutes.

Add the rice to the pot.  Add the chicken broth and chicken pieces.  Top with olives.  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.*

* 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.  Fifteen minutes in the center of the pot.  Ten minutes on one side of the pot.  Ten minutes on the other side of the pot.  Sometimes pockets of rice can remain uncooked if the pan is too large.  Also.. don’t be afraid to add a touch more broth if your rice isn’t cooking up.  No worries.  Keep it easy.

Check the rice after 30 minutes to make sure that it is cooking evenly.  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.

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peruvian dishes

    February 8, 2012 at 10:06 am

    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/

    Reply
  2. Gerry @ Foodness Gracious

    February 8, 2012 at 10:02 am

    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…

    Reply
  3. Kristin @ FoodFash

    February 8, 2012 at 9:12 am

    “Cheap Wine, Expensive Saffron” should be a thing.

    Reply
  4. misschels

    February 8, 2012 at 8:52 am

    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!

    Reply
  5. Heather

    February 8, 2012 at 8:49 am

    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.

    Reply
  6. Sarah-Anne

    February 8, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Sounds like a delish dish!

    Reply
  7. Tiffany

    February 8, 2012 at 8:42 am

    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. :)

    Reply
  8. Kay

    February 8, 2012 at 8:37 am

    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!!!

    Reply
  9. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen

    February 8, 2012 at 8:32 am

    This is totally getting made with the 1 pack of chicken thighs that have been in my freezer for a litttttle too long now.

    Reply
  10. Robyn

    February 8, 2012 at 7:37 am

    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

    Reply
  11. Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen

    February 8, 2012 at 7:26 am

    I saw this on instagram and got excited! It looks so warm and comforting. I wish I had a Le Creuset! Love for sure.

    Reply
  12. nicole @ The Dirty Oven

    February 8, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Looks delish…could you use brown rice instead?

    Reply
  13. Maureen

    February 8, 2012 at 7:03 am

    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.

    Reply
  14. Seanna Lea

    February 8, 2012 at 6:49 am

    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!

    Reply
  15. Mara @ Elemental Custard

    February 8, 2012 at 6:25 am

    You have the best plates. I’m in love with the black and white looking one on the left! The chicken also looks delicious.

    Reply
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