Description
This vibrant one-pot Arroz con Pollo recipe with Saffron Rice and Pea Confetti transforms ordinary weeknights into a special family dinner. It is an easy, hearty dish designed to deliver delicious and consistent results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- Pinch saffron threads
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups hot chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Brown chicken on all sides (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and red bell pepper to the pot; cook until softened (8-10 minutes). Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and bay leaf; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build Flavor Base: Stir in tomato paste; cook for 1 minute. Add long-grain rice and saffron threads; stir to coat and toast for 1-2 minutes until translucent.
- Simmer and Cook: Pour in 3 cups hot chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then nestle chicken back into the pot. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed (20-25 minutes).
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in frozen peas. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf before serving. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
For the best flavor, use good quality saffron, fresh garlic, and fresh bell peppers. Chicken thighs can be substituted with bone-in chicken (adjust cooking time), and brown rice can be used with adjusted cooking times and liquid. Other bell pepper colors or corn can also be used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 280 g)
- Calories: 450 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg