Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

As we explore the rich flavors of Cuban cuisine, one dish that always stands out is Cuban Arroz Con Pollo.

This traditional recipe combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a blend of spices to create a meal that is both comforting and full of flavor.

We’ve enjoyed this dish in various local eateries during our travels and have gathered tips and tricks along the way.

Making Cuban Arroz Con Pollo at home is not only possible, but it’s also a fun way to bring a bit of Cuba into our kitchens.

With the right ingredients and steps, we can recreate this classic dish that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.

Join us as we share our favorite recipe and techniques to ensure that every bite takes you straight to the heart of Cuba.

Get ready to discover how to make a delicious one-pot meal that’s bound to impress. We are excited to guide you through this flavorful journey!

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Why You’ll Love Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo is a dish that brings comfort and joy to our meals. The rich flavors and vibrant colors make it a feast for both the eyes and taste buds.

Here are a few reasons you’ll love it:

• Family Tradition: This recipe has roots in family gatherings. We often think of Sundays spent with loved ones, sharing stories over a big pot of this delicious dish.
• Simple Ingredients: With just a few ingredients like chicken, rice, and spices, it’s easy to prepare. Many Cuban recipes focus on using what you have at home, making it budget-friendly.
• Flavorful Experience: The combination of spices like cumin and garlic creates a delightful taste. Each bite is bursting with flavor, making it hard to resist going back for more.
• Endless Variations: We can customize this dish based on our preferences. Adding vegetables or trying different meats can give it a unique twist every time.
• Comfort Food: Nothing compares to a warm plate of Arroz Con Pollo, especially on a chilly day. It wraps us in warmth, reminding us of home and family.

We cherish making this dish and sharing it with friends and family, creating memories around the table. Trying our Cuban Arroz Con Pollo recipe is sure to bring a smile to your face!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Cuban Arroz con Pollo holds a special place in our hearts. This dish combines rich flavors and vibrant colors that are staples in Cuban cuisine.

One unique aspect is the sofrito. This mixture of onions, green bell peppers, and garlic adds a depth of flavor that warms the soul. We love how it enhances the chicken and rice.

The use of saffron or Bijol gives the rice its beautiful yellow color. This ingredient also brings a wonderful taste that defines the dish. Each bite feels like a taste of Cuba.

Another reason we cherish this recipe is its versatility. Every family has their own twist, making it feel personal. Some prefer it soupy, while others like it more dry.

We also enjoy using fresh ingredients like tomatoes, peas, and pimientos. These additions not only boost flavor but also make the dish look appealing.

Cooking Arroz con Pollo often brings families together. It’s perfect for gatherings and celebrations, creating lasting memories around the table.

Sharing this dish with friends and family allows us to connect with our Cuban heritage. It reminds us of our travels and the warmth of Cuban hospitality.

In every bite, we celebrate the spirit of Cuba and the joy of cooking together. This recipe truly captures the essence of Cuban culture and love for food.

Cooking Equipment Needed

To make delicious Cuban Arroz Con Pollo, we need some basic cooking equipment. Here’s what we recommend:

• Large Dutch Oven or Heavy Pot: This is perfect for cooking the chicken and rice together. It helps to keep everything moist.
• Wooden Spoon: A sturdy spoon is great for stirring the ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements of rice, broth, and spices are crucial.
• Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: We need these for chopping vegetables and cutting the chicken.
• Lid for the Pot: A tight-fitting lid helps the dish cook evenly and retain moisture.
• Serving Spoon: For serving up our tasty Arroz Con Pollo when it’s ready.

Having the right tools makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. We find that using quality equipment can really enhance our cooking experience.

Make sure to gather everything before starting to save time. Happy cooking!

Ingredients Needed for the Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Chicken
2 lb bone-in chicken thighs
1 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
3 tbsp olive oil, divided

Sofrito
1/2 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp annatto, (aka achiote or bijol)
1/2 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp msg, optional
2 bay leaves
4 tbsp tomato sauce

Other ingredients
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
1 cup light beer
2 cups chicken broth, or 2 cups water + 2 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe Ingredients

Instructions For Preparing the Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Prepare the Chicken
Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and season with salt, pepper, Knorr chicken bouillon, cumin, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a 10-inch shallow pot over medium heat and sear the chicken skin-side down until browned. Flip and brown the other side, then remove from heat and set aside (the chicken will not be fully cooked).

Make the Sofrito
In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed, then sauté the diced onions, scraping up any browned bits. After a minute, add the diced bell peppers and cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, annatto, coriander, Knorr chicken bouillon, tomato sauce, and bay leaves. Cook for another minute, lowering the heat if necessary to avoid burning the spices. Optionally, add 1/4 tsp MSG.

Prepare the Rice
Stir in the rice and toast it in the sofrito for a minute, then pour in the beer and chicken broth. Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice, increase the heat to medium, and let the liquid boil off uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Fluff the rice, and your Cuban Arroz Con Pollo ready to serve!

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe Cooking Tips

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe Cooking Tips

• Use bone-in chicken pieces for richer flavor and juicier meat.
• Brown the chicken before adding the rice to build deeper flavor.
• Sofrito made with onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes creates authentic Cuban flavor.
• Saffron or annatto gives the rice its traditional golden color and aroma.
• Long-grain rice works well for fluffy and separate grains.
• Cumin, oregano, paprika, and bay leaves add warmth and depth to the dish.
• Chicken broth adds more flavor than water when cooking the rice.
• Avoid stirring the rice too much once it begins simmering to keep the grains intact.
• Peas, roasted peppers, and olives add traditional flavor and color.
• Simmer over low heat so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the broth properly.
• Let the dish rest briefly after cooking so the rice finishes steaming evenly.
• Fresh cilantro or parsley brightens the final presentation and flavor.
• Serve hot with lime wedges, plantains, or salad for a complete meal.
• Spoon extra cooking liquid over the rice if you prefer a softer texture.

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe Storage TIps

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe Storage Tips

• Allow the arroz con pollo to cool before transferring it into storage containers.
• Store the chicken and rice together to help maintain flavor balance and moisture.
• Rice dishes often taste richer after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat gently over low heat while stirring carefully.
• Add a small splash of broth or water during reheating if the rice seems dry.
• Rice may firm slightly after refrigeration, which is normal.
• Store salad, plantains, or side dishes separately from the rice dish.
• Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for longer storage.
• Portioning before freezing can make reheating easier later.
• Defrost frozen portions gradually in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Olive and spice flavors may become stronger after storage.
• Fresh herbs or lime wedges should be added after reheating for brighter flavor.
• Use clean utensils when handling leftovers to help maintain freshness.
• Discard leftovers if the chicken or rice develops sour odors, bubbling, or unusual discoloration.

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Tender chicken simmered in a saffron-infused rice dish with peppers, peas, and spices, creating a vibrant, one-pot Cuban comfort meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Cuban

Calories: 894

Ingredients Instructions Nutrition

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

Chicken

• 2 lb chicken thighs bone-in
• 1 tsp salt coarse
• 1/2 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 3 tbsp olive oil divided

Sofrito

• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp annatto (aka achiote or bijol)
• 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon Knorr
• 1/4 tsp coriander ground
• 1/4 tsp M.S.G. optional
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tbsp tomato sauce

Other ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups rice long grain
• 1 cup light beer
• 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups water + 2 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

1. Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and season with salt, pepper, Knorr chicken bouillon, cumin, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a 10-inch shallow pot over medium heat and sear the chicken skin-side down until browned. Flip and brown the other side, then remove from heat and set aside (the chicken will not be fully cooked).

Make the Sofrito

1. In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed, then sauté the diced onions, scraping up any browned bits. After a minute, add the diced bell peppers and cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, annatto, coriander, Knorr chicken bouillon, tomato sauce, and bay leaves. Cook for another minute, lowering the heat if necessary to avoid burning the spices. Optionally, add 1/4 tsp MSG.

Prepare the Rice

1. Stir in the rice and toast it in the sofrito for a minute, then pour in the beer and chicken broth. Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice, increase the heat to medium, and let the liquid boil off uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Fluff the rice, and your Cuban Arroz Con Pollo ready to serve!

Nutrition Facts

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Serving Size

 

1 person

Amount per Serving

Calories

894

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

49

g

75

%

Saturated Fat

 

12

g

75

%

Trans Fat

 

0.2

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

9

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

24

g

Cholesterol

 

225

mg

75

%

Sodium

 

1275

mg

55

%

Potassium

 

741

mg

21

%

Carbohydrates

 

64

g

21

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

3

g

3

%

Protein

 

44

g

88

%

Vitamin A

 

1189

IU

24

%

Vitamin C

 

41

mg

50

%

Calcium

 

70

mg

7

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

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

FAQs For the Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

Question: What type of rice is best for a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe?
A: A Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe is traditionally made with long-grain white rice, which absorbs the flavors well and provides the perfect texture for this classic dish.

Question: Can I make a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe in a pressure cooker?
A: Yes, a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe can be made in a pressure cooker, which helps speed up the cooking process while still infusing the dish with rich flavors.

Question: What gives a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe its signature yellow color?
A: The vibrant yellow color of a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe comes from saffron or annatto, which adds both color and a subtle, earthy flavor to the dish.

Question: Is a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe spicy?
A: A Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe is typically mild, but you can add diced peppers, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to increase the spice level to your preference.

Question: What protein alternatives can I use in a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe?
A: While a Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe traditionally uses chicken, you can substitute it with shrimp, turkey, or even tofu for a different take on the dish.

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BdRecipes

Laurel Rodgers is a recipe collector and co-founder of World Travel Recipes. Since 2014, she and John Rodgers have traveled to 165 of the 195 countries, gathering over 5,000 recipes directly from local cooks, markets, and small restaurants. Laurel participates in cooking classes, works with host families, and documents recipes as they are prepared. She manages recipe organization and ensures each recipe is written so it can be followed in a real home kitchen.
Recipes are gathered in person and written for real-world cooking conditions.

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