Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken) is another famous dish that Colombia has. It is a variety of ingredients mixed together to make a flavored rice with chicken. To my understanding, Arroz con Pollo comes from many generations in my family and it is a typical dish that is cooked many times in my house. 

I personally have never made this dish, the one that usually does it, my mom and aunts. Every time I try to do it I always forget something or I don't give it the right taste. So, I have learned to just stop trying. My family makes fun of me because they say "you can cook other dishes that are more complicated but you cant make a simple rice". My goal is to one day make it and give it the same taste that my family gives it. 

P.s- Some people eat this rice with ketchup, it is normal & I am one of them.

What you need: 

• Chicken and Stock

• 2 whole chicken breast, bone in and skin removed

• 1 scallion

• ½ white onion

• 2 garlic cloves

• ½ tablespoon ground cumin

• ½ tablespoon Sazon Goya with azafran 

•  1 bay leaf

• Salt and Pepper

• Rice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ¼ cup chopped onion

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper

• ¼ cup chopped green pepper

• 1 cup long- grain white rice

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 chicken bouillon tablet

• 2 ½ cups chicken stock

•  ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• ½ cup frozen peas

• ½ cup frozen diced carrots

• ½ cup frozen diced green beans

How to make it:
Step1:Place the chicken breast, 5 cups water and the remaining ingredients for the stock in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. 
Step2: Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the chicken rest in the pot for about 15 minutes covered. Let it cool, shred and set aside. Strain stock and measure 2 ½ cups and set aside.
Step3: In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic and red bell pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Step4: Add the rice, tomato paste, chicken bouillon and sazon goya. Stir until the rice is well coated about 3 minutes.
Step5: Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Step6: Add the peas, carrots and green beans and cook for and additional 7 minutes, add the shredded chicken and cilantro, mix well with a fork, cover and cook for 5 minutes more.