Arroz con pollo

Literally “rice with chicken” this Spanish and Mexican dish is made with rice, chicken, tomatoes, green peppers, seasonings and, sometimes, saffron.

RECIPE:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds chicken breasts and thighs
• 1 medium yellow onion, quartered, plus ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup homemade or canned low-sodium chicken broth (240 ml)
• 1 cup beer (240 ml) (such as lager – I used Yuengling)
• 3 tablespoons Delicioso Adobo (20 g) (recipe below)
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (45 ml)
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves (16 g)
• 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 2 cups uncooked white rice (370 g)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas (120 g)
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 8 ounces green beans (240 g), trimmed and quartered
• 1 cup ketchup (240 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (5 ml)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 g)
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 cup pimiento-stuffed olives (230 g)

DELICIOSO ADOBO (yields: 1/2 cup)

• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning (15 ml)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (15ml)
• 1 tablespoon onion powder or flakes (15 ml)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano (15 ml)
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes (15 ml)
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground paprika (7 ml)
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric (7 ml)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin (7 ml)
• 1 tablespoon salt (15 ml)

Method:

1. First make the Delicioso Adobo. Combine all ingredients in a small mason jar, and shake to combine. The mixture can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. 
2. Add the chicken pieces, quartered onion, 1 cup chicken broth, beer, 3 tablespoons Delicioso Adobo, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, and garlic in a large saute pan or Dutch oven over high heat.
3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Cover and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside to cool. Strain the broth mixture through a fine-mesh sieve a large measuring cup (at least 4 cups) and discard the onion pieces.
6. Add water to the broth mixture to make 4 cups of liquid. Return the mixture back to the pot and add the rice, peas, carrots, green beans, ketchup, and salt.
7. Stir well and bring to a boil.
8. Cook for 10 minutes and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the rice is tender and fully cooked, about 25 minutes.
9. While waiting for the rice to cook, melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the peppers and sliced onion. Cook for 8 minutes or until tender.
10. Shred the cooked chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones.
11. Add the chicken to the vegetables. Cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
12. Fluff the rice with a fork and add the chicken and vegetables to the rice mixture. 
13. Stir in olives, stir in remaining cilantro, and serve.