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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. Maggie P

    September 23, 2021 at 11:00 am

    I first made this recipe in 2012. It is now 2021 and still one of my go-to recipes. I love it.

    Reply
  2. Lauren Fuller

    December 7, 2014 at 11:30 am

    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!

    Reply
  3. Kathryn

    March 3, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Kaydence

      February 10, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      This recipe is amazing!! I always start dreaming about it when Valentine’s day comes around ??

      Reply
  4. Katie

    February 9, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    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!!

    Reply
  5. Lia

    October 29, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Jill

    October 28, 2012 at 10:16 am

    You had me at green olives!!

    Reply
  7. Maggie P

    October 18, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Used arborio rice, whole tomato instead of canned, and added double smoked bacon. So good! Can’t wait to make it again.

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Arroz con Pollo - The Rural Victorianist Bakes says:
    November 1, 2014 at 10:33 am

    […] energy, I went with a very simple, and decidedly less authentic version of the dish that I found on Joy the Baker‘s site. Just like many recipes for paella and Arroz con Pollo that call for an infusion of […]

    Reply
  2. The Friday Five: Week of Love Edition :: hi + hello | says:
    May 27, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    […] an easy dinner any night of the week so why not try something new and exotic and delicious?  This recipe for Arroz Con Pollo has my mouth watering. 3. Since the husband’s birthday is the day before Valentine’s we […]

    Reply
  3. The Friday Five: Week of Love Edition - Hi & Hello :: Hi & Hello | the art of getting by says:
    May 25, 2014 at 10:20 am

    […] an easy dinner any night of the week so why not try something new and exotic and delicious?  This recipe for Arroz Con Pollo has my mouth watering. 3. Since the husband’s birthday is the day before Valentine’s we […]

    Reply
  4. Arroz con Pollo | Schnurr Food: Eating For $300 A Month says:
    January 4, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    […] Adapted from Joy The Baker. […]

    Reply
  5. Recipes to Try | Live and Learn says:
    November 24, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    […] Arroz con Pollo […]

    Reply
  6. Valentine’s Dinner Ideas | Mod City Mag says:
    February 8, 2013 at 6:30 am

    […] could also go the comfort food route with chicken and rice with this Arroz con Pollo, the fish route with this Toasted Sesame Ginger Salmon, or wrap bacon around Goat Cheese Stuffed […]

    Reply
  7. One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Zucchini with Rice | Simple Bites says:
    October 24, 2012 at 3:05 am

    […] Arroz con Pollo via Joy the Baker […]

    Reply
  8. my wedding venue says:
    October 5, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    […] can I please get a round of applause for making arroz con pollo last night? I got the recipe from here and highly recommend […]

    Reply

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