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5 from 1 vote

Easy Arroz con Pollo Recipe

My recipe for "Arroz con Pollo, classic chicken and rice prepared Mexican style with lots of seasonings, ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time4 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time4 hours 50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken thighs, recipe, spicy
Servings: 4
Calories: 623kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons salt
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 ½ cups Valencia rice or short grain rice
  • 1 can Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes I used Spicy Red Pepper (14.5 ounces)
  • 2 cups light beer or equivalent chicken broth – may need a bit more

SEASONINGS

  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 5 saffron threads optional, but recommended!
  • Salt and pepper to taste

FOR SERVING

  • Fresh limes
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Crumbled Cotija cheese

Instructions

  • Brine your chicken thighs by placing them into a large bowl. Cover them with water and add 4 tablespoons salt, 2 garlic cloves crushed and 1 tablespoon black peppercorns. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
  • Remove chicken and pat dry. Season with a bit of oregano, paprika, cayenne and garlic powder.
  • Heat a large pan to medium heat and add olive oil. Add chicken thighs and cook a couple minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add chopped onion and jalapeno peppers. Cook about 5 minutes to soften. Add garlic and cook another minute, stirring a bit.
  • Add remaining seasonings along with the rice and stir. Cook about a minute, stirring, to very lightly toast the rice.
  • Add tomatoes, beer or broth, and reserved chicken thighs. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes, until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid. If it seems too dry, add a bit more broth and simmer until it is absorbed and cooked to your liking.
  • Remove from heat and top with sliced limes, Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. To serve, squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the top and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 623kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 7074mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1290IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 6mg