That’s about all I know of spanish by the way. Some greetings that everyone knows and food. Which is kinda sad for a Florida native. I should know more. Maybe I’ll put that on my one day list. In any case… arroz con pollo was pretty much my favorite of my mom’s recipes growing up. Ma’s stewies is a close second though. But I didn’t appreciate it as much as a child. This dinner however I could be known to request once a week. It means rice with chicken and sausage if you weren’t sure.
Of course like all true family recipes it changes depending on what’s available in my inventory. Some basics you always need are the meat (either chicken or kielbasa sausages are best in my opinion), onions, sweet peppers, diced tomatoes, and either a package of Sazon seasoning or a package of yellow rice. But how I’ve written it is how I prefer it.
The cut of chicken you use is up to you. Mom always liked bone in breasts. I like thighs. Both cuts utilize the skin and bones for extra flavor but boneless skinless chicken would work fine too. This time I used up some drumsticks because I know my family won’t want them unless they’re picked clean and added as chicken pieces to something.
I like using my big enameled cast iron pot so I don’t have to remove the chicken to work with the other ingredients. But you could definitely use a large skillet as long as it has a lid. I also like putting the whole kaboodle in the oven to avoid rice sticking to the bottom of my very scratched enameled pot. 350 degrees for 30 mins usually does it.
It does take 30 minutes to cook up after you’ve put it together but in my opinion it’s a pretty easy weeknight meal. Mix up your seasoning except the Sazon packet and put about half of it on your chicken. Preheat your skillet and chop your onions and peppers. Mince your garlic and pull out the rest of your ingredients.
When the pot is hot add your oil and sear up your chicken just so it gets a little color or the skin is crisped up. You’re not cooking the chicken so just a couple minutes will do. If the pot is large enough throw in all your kielbasa sausage and veggies except your tomatoes. Garlic now too. If you’re using a standard cast iron skillet or large pan remove your chicken before adding anything to the pan.
When the onion is translucent you can add your rice, the rest of the seasoning mix with the Sazon packet and tomatoes. Add your water or broth. I always just use water, there’s so much flavor in this dish it doesn’t miss the broth. Now you can put the chicken back in and cover the whole thing with a lid. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is cooked. Check on it at least once and mix it around to make sure your rice doesn’t stick.
Arroz con pollo y salchichas
Ingredients
Method
- Mix all spices together except Sazon packet. Season chicken with half of seasoning mix. Set aside. Add Sazon packet to remaining seasoning mix. Preheat large skillet over medium heat. While pan is heating, chop veggies.
- Once hot, add oil to skillet. Cook seasoned chicken in pan until skin is slightly crisp or meat is seared. About 2-3 mins on each side. Add kielbasa, fresh veggies and garlic to pan and saute 5 mins or until onion is translucent.
- Remove chicken from pan. Add rice, diced tomatoes and remaining seasoning mix and stir to combine ingredients. Add water or broth to pan. Nestle chicken back in skillet. Cover, turn to low heat and simmer for 30 mins.
- Check halfway through cooking to be sure rice isn’t sticking to bottom. Turn heat lower or add 1/4 cup water if needed.
- When rice is cooked remove chicken and add lime juice, frozen veggies and olives. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and add back in.
- Serve with cheese, cilantro, hot sauce or lime slices if desired.
