Description
Delightful arroz con pollo blends tender chicken and creamy rice in a Latin American culinary embrace. Savory spices and melted cheese create a comforting dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 chicken (whole or parts)
Grains and Spices:
- 2 cups long grain white rice (basmati rice)
- 1 packet sazon seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chicken flavored bouillon
Liquid and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (avocado oil)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4.5 garlic cloves, minced
- 16 ounces (454 grams) tomato sauce
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by gathering all necessary utensils and ingredients for a smooth cooking process.
- Select a large skillet and heat oil over medium-high temperature, creating a golden base for the rice.
- Carefully toast rice grains, stirring constantly to achieve a light golden color and enhance the nutty flavor, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle Sazon seasoning and crumble bouillon, then pour in tomato sauce and water, creating a vibrant liquid base.
- Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and allow rice to simmer undisturbed for 15 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat, letting the rice rest without stirring for an additional 15 minutes to ensure perfect texture and even moisture distribution.
- Gently fluff rice with a fork, revealing light and fluffy grains.
- Trim chicken into uniform, thin strips to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Heat a combination of butter and oil in a separate skillet, creating a perfect searing environment.
- Add chicken strips and season generously with selected spices, continuously stirring to prevent burning.
- Cook chicken thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains, which typically takes 4-5 minutes of active cooking.
- Simultaneously prepare the cheese sauce in a separate saucepan, combining all designated ingredients.
- Maintain medium heat, stirring consistently until cheese melts completely into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Allow cheese sauce to rest briefly, enabling it to thicken naturally.
- Plate the dish by creating a foundation of fluffy rice, topping with seasoned chicken strips.
- Drizzle generous amounts of warm cheese sauce over the chicken and rice.
- Optional: Warm tortillas to accompany the dish, creating a delightful wrap or side element.
Notes
- Toast rice carefully to develop a rich, golden color and prevent burning during the cooking process.
- Use low heat when simmering rice to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking or scorching at the bottom of the skillet.
- Let rice rest after cooking allows steam to distribute evenly, creating perfectly fluffy and separated grains.
- Slice chicken into uniform thin strips to guarantee quick and consistent cooking throughout the meat.
- Keep stirring chicken while cooking to prevent uneven heating and ensure each piece is thoroughly seasoned and cooked.
- Constantly stir cheese sauce to prevent burning and achieve smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.
- Warm tortillas briefly to enhance their flexibility and improve overall eating experience when wrapping the dish.
- Consider using low-fat cheese or dairy-free alternatives for a lighter version of the cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg