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.
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. That’s all we’re getting ourselves into.
In a pot together, magic romantic things happen.
Bubble and simmer. 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. 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.
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
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.
annie
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. :)
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles
I’m more of a dessert kinda romantic person than a dinner romantic person, but this looks awesome! =)
Culinarystorm
Lucky is the person you’re sharing that with :)
For Heavens Above
I will be making this. So enticing!!!
Mary's Pastry Lab
easy, heartwarming and simple valentine’s dinner. love. :)
Becca - Cookie Jar Treats
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 :)
Amielle
This looks absolutely delicious! And with a bottle of wine and possibly a homemade card, I’m all set to go. :)
Kelsey @aslolife
Love arroz con pollo–this looks so good!
Julie @SavvyEats
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”
Julie
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!
Katie @ OhShineOn
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!
Elise
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!
Marissa
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.
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
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.
Julia @1001tealcranes
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.