Classic Cuban-Style Arroz Con Pollo

Arroz con pollo! A classic, one-pot Cuban-style dish made with chicken, rice, tomato sauce, bell peppers and spices. The best comfort food!

Growing up, this was the perfect Sunday comfort food meal in my family. Today, arroz con pollo is the ultimate one-pot meal. Think fluffy yellow rice cooked in a tomato based sauce with veggies and spices and flavorful chicken thighs. YUM!

Every culture has their own variation of this traditional dish but this is my mom’s arroz con pollo recipe. So, of course, it’s the BEST. I may or may not be biased though. ;)

Whenever I make this classic dish, my whole house smells like the epitome of home. Fragrant, garlic, spices. The result is an aromatic rice dish that is creamy and risotto-like with tender chicken thighs. Reminds me so hard of my childhood.

Best of all, leftovers taste just as good as the first day. I’d even make this for meal prep too. Why not eat this deliciousness all week long, right? I hope this Latin staple becomes part of your weekly rotation.

I know you will freaking LOVE it!

Classic Cuban-Style Arroz Con Pollo

A classic, one-pot Cuban-style dish made with chicken, rice, tomato sauce, bell peppers and spices. The best comfort food!

4.84 from 6 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 422kcal

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 lb chicken thighs
• Pinch of salt, pepper, cumin for chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup onion chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 cups uncooked long grain white rice (you can use Valencia rice too)
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon annatto powder (or turmeric)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Salt + pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

• Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and cumin. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Over medium-high heat, place chicken thighs in the pan and brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate.
• In the same pan, add remaining olive oil and sauté onion, garlic and red pepper, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
• Add rice, chicken stock, tomato sauce, annatto powder, bay leaf, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat.
  
• Add chicken. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 45-60 min. Add frozen peas, stirring until warm. Fluff rice with fork, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Classic Cuban-Style Arroz Con Pollo

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 422 Calories from Fat 193

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 21.4g 33%

Saturated Fat 4.6g 23%

Cholesterol 90mg 30%

Sodium 492mg 21%

Potassium 533mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 36.3g 12%

Dietary Fiber 2.5g 10%

Sugars 4.1g

Protein 24g 48%

Calcium 4%

Iron 54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

SHOP THE RECIPE

This post is sponsored by Staub. I was not compensated for this post however I was provided with the cast-iron cocotte pictured above. All opinions are my own.

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