Arroz con Pollo a la Tica is a traditional Costa Rican one-pot dish made with rice, chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce. It is a beloved dish in Costa Rican cuisine and is commonly served as a main course for lunch or dinner. The dish is characterized by its vibrant colors, aromatic spices, and a delightful combination of textures. This article presents a collection of three distinct recipes for Arroz con Pollo a la Tica, each offering unique variations on this classic dish.
**The first recipe**, titled "Traditional Arroz con Pollo a la Tica," introduces the classic version of the dish, using simple yet flavorful ingredients. It emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients to achieve the best flavor. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions, guiding home cooks in preparing the aromatic sofrito base, searing the chicken, and simmering everything together until the rice is cooked and the chicken is tender.
**The second recipe**, called "Arroz con Pollo a la Tica with Chorizo," adds a smoky, spicy twist to the traditional dish. It incorporates flavorful chorizo sausage, creating a more robust and savory version of the classic. This recipe guides readers through the process of cooking the chorizo, incorporating it into the sofrito, and adjusting the seasoning to create a harmonious balance of flavors.
**The third recipe**, titled "Arroz con Pollo a la Tica with Vegetables," showcases a healthier variation of the dish by incorporating a variety of colorful vegetables. It emphasizes the importance of choosing fresh, seasonal vegetables to ensure the best flavor and texture. This recipe provides detailed instructions on preparing the vegetables, sautéing them to retain their vibrant colors, and incorporating them into the rice and chicken mixture.
Each recipe includes a detailed ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, and cooking tips to ensure a successful and delicious Arroz con Pollo a la Tica experience. Whether you prefer the traditional version, the chorizo-infused variation, or the vegetable-packed alternative, this collection of recipes offers something for every taste and preference.
ARROZ CON POLLO (CUBAN CHICKEN & RICE RECIPE)
Arroz con pollo is a classic, one-pot Cuban chicken and rice dish made with juicy chicken thighs, fluffy yellow rice, tomato sauce, chicken broth, sofrito, and spices. There are several variations of this traditional Latin American dish but this one is from my Cuban family. It's the easiest comfort food dinner recipe that practically makes itself!
Provided by Jamie Silva
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- First, pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel then season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- In a wide Dutch oven or large pot with a heavy bottom and a lid, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Over medium heat, place chicken thighs in the pan and brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate.
- Next, add the remaining olive oil and sauté onion, garlic and red pepper, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the rice, chicken stock, tomato sauce, annatto powder, bay leaf, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Bring to a boil then add the chicken thighs to the mixture. Reduce heat to low and cover with the lid.
- Cooking low and slow will ensure you don't burn the rice. Every stove cooks differently so after 40 minutes, take a peek and see if the liquid has been absorbed. If yes, remove the pot from the heat immediately so it doesn't continue to cook with the residual heat. If not, continue to cook in 5 minute increments until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove pot from the heat.
- Fluff the rice with a fork then stir in the frozen peas until warm. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 422 kcal, Carbohydrate 36.3 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 492 mg, Fiber 2.5 g, Sugar 4.1 g
ARROZ CON POLLO
Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Combine the salt, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and cayenne in a plastic gallon bag. Shake until the mixture is well combined.
- Pat the chicken dry and place in the bag with the spice mixture. Shake the bag, making sure the chicken is well coated.
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch high-sided skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate, using tongs.
- Add the onions, green peppers, red peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet. Cook the vegetables over moderate heat, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Add the rice and garlic and cook until the rice begins to turn gold in color and fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Meanwhile, combine the stock, tomato sauce and remaining teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 1/4 cups water and the stock mixture to the skillet and stir to make sure the rice is covered in liquid. Nestle the chicken in the rice, adding any juices from the plate. Bring the rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 35 minutes. Let the skillet stand covered, about 10 minutes before serving.
ARROZ CON POLLO
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Put the chicken in an ovensafe baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use tongs to turn the chicken and evenly coat. Bake for 15 minutes until browned but not cooked all the way through (it will finish cooking with the rice).
- Meanwhile, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice and stir to coat.
- Toast the rice, stirring occasionally, until it is lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the onion and garlic and continue cooking until the rice is just lightly browned and the vegetables are starting to soften, about 2 minutes more. Make sure the garlic does not brown.
- Add the tomato sauce, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, bouillon and 3 cups water. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and add the chicken to the rice in an even layer, skin-side up and not overlapping. Cover and cook until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Tips:
- Use high-quality rice: Look for medium or short-grain rice varieties like Calrose or Arborio, which are known for their starchy texture and ability to absorb flavors.
- Toast the rice: Toasting the rice before cooking it in the broth enhances its flavor and gives it a slightly nutty aroma.
- Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes add vibrant colors and flavors to the dish.
- Sauté the vegetables properly: Sautéing the vegetables until they are softened but still slightly crisp ensures that they retain their texture and nutrients.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth is the foundation of the dish, so use a high-quality broth or stock made from chicken, beef, or vegetables.
- Season the dish well: Don't be afraid to use herbs and spices to season the dish. Common seasonings for arroz con pollo include cumin, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Simmer the dish until the rice is tender: Simmering the dish allows the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb the broth, resulting in a creamy and flavorful dish.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Just before serving, garnish the dish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for an extra pop of flavor and color.
Conclusion:
Arroz con pollo is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its combination of tender chicken, flavorful rice, and colorful vegetables, it's a perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you're a beginner cook or an experienced chef, give this recipe a try and experience the vibrant flavors of this classic Latin American dish.
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