Take a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Mexico with Arroz con Pollo al Achiote, a traditional dish that harmoniously blends savory chicken, fluffy rice, and the distinctive flavors of achiote paste. This flavorful dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender chicken pieces, soft and fluffy rice grains, and a rich sauce infused with the earthy notes of achiote, a natural spice derived from annatto seeds. Accompanying this main course are two equally enticing recipes: Guacamole, a vibrant avocado-based dip complemented by tangy lime juice, fresh cilantro, and zesty chiles, and Pico de Gallo, a refreshing salsa made from diced tomatoes, crisp onions, and spicy serrano peppers. These accompaniments add layers of flavor and texture, transforming the Arroz con Pollo al Achiote into a complete and satisfying meal.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHICKEN WITH RICE (ARROZ CON POLLO)
Provided by Daisy Martinez
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a paella pan or wide, shallow pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the Achiote Oil over medium-high heat until the oil is rippling. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add as many pieces skin side down to the pan as fit without touching. Cook, turning as necessary, until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the pieces as they are done and set aside. Adjust the heat under the pan, especially after you start removing chicken, so the chicken browns without the oil darkening.
- When all the chicken is removed from the pan, add the Sofrito and alcaparrado. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and boil until most of the water is evaporated from the Sofrito. Add the cumin and cloves.
- Stir in the rice until coated with oil. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in enough broth to cover the rice by the width of 2 fingers (about 1-inch), and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat until the level of liquid reaches the rice. Stir gently and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until the liquid is absorbed, the chicken is cooked through, and the rice is tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. The arroz con pollo can be brought to the table right in the pan or transferred to a large serving platter. Either way, garnish with the red pepper before serving.
- Heat the oil and annatto seeds in a small skillet over medium heat just until the seeds give off a lively, steady sizzle. Don't overheat the mixture or the seeds will turn black and the oil will turn a nasty green. Once they're sizzling, remove the pan from the heat and let stand until the sizzling stops. Strain and reserve in a jar with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Chop the onion and Cubanelle or Italian peppers in the work bowl of a food processor until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients 1 at a time and process until smooth. The sofrito will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It also freezes beautifully.
ARROZ CON POLLO
Steps:
- Place 1/2 cup of olive oil in small pan and add the achiote. Heat on medium heat until bubbles form, then remove from heat and let steep. Drain achiote seeds from oil (should be a vibrant reddish-orange color). Place oil in large stockpot. Heat oil on high and place chicken pieces in pot and brown - this is done just to brown chicken NOT to cook it. Remove chicken from pot Place diced onions, garlic, and peppers in pot with the achiote. Saute until soft (do not burn garlic). Put capers in pot and cook for a while with the onion mixture. Add rice to the pot with garlic, peppers, garlic and capers, then swirl rice into the mixture. Let the rice cook for just about a minute. Place cut up cilantro and basil in pot. Add in chicken broth and make sure you scrape the pot. Add chicken pieces back in. Put olives in and mix. Place bay leaves in pot. Check for seasonings (Please note: add salt and pepper at the end). Let the mixture cook on medium heat until the rice is done. Add peas just before serving.
- In another medium pot place peeled asparagus in water and boil until they turn bright green. Place in ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- To serve, place rice and chicken in a large platter. Arrange chicken pieces around platter and rice in the center. Place cooked asparagus around the platter and then place pimentos in the center.
- Serve with tostones (recipe follows).
- Peel plantains and cut at an angle. Place in cold water with salt. In a large frying pan put in 1/2 cup oil (preferably peanut oil ). Place plantains in pan and cook until somewhat soft (they will turn a lovely pale yellow color). Take them out of the pan and smash each one between 2 pieces of foil (folded 2 or 3 times to make a thick pad - place 2 paper towels on top of foil so that you don't burn yourself). Return to frying pan (you may have to add more oil). Fry until crisp and then season with salt. Serve with rice and chicken - or just about anything!
EASY ARROZ CON POLLO
My children really look forward to dinner when they know I'm serving this, and it's easy to make.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Spread the rice in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with garlic salt and pepper; place over rice. In a large bowl, combine the broth, picante sauce, tomato sauce, onion and green pepper; pour over the chicken., Cover and bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 91mg cholesterol, Sodium 791mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 35g protein.
ARROZ CON POLLO AL ACHIOTE
El fuerte y espeso aroma de la salsa de achiote une a la perfección los sabores predilectos del arroz y del pollo.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Cocina internacional
Time 55m
Yield 6 porciones
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mezcla la mayonesa con la pasta de achiote. Agrega la mitad al pollo en un tazón grande; revuélvelo para recubrirlo bien.
- Cocina el pollo, dándole vuelta de vez en cuando, en una sartén honda grande o en una olla pesada tipo Dutch Oven a fuego medio-alto durante 5 min. o hasta que se dore de forma pareja. Retíralo de la sartén; deshazte de la grasa. Tapa el pollo para mantenerlo caliente.
- Agrega a la sartén el arroz, la cebolla, el pimiento, el ajo y el resto de la mezcla de mayonesa; cocínalos a fuego medio-bajo 3 min. mientras los revuelves constantemente. Agrega el agua y el caldo; revuélvelos. Pon el pollo por encima. Hazlos hervir; pon la tapa. Mantén un hervor suave de 22 a 25 min. o hasta que el pollo esté cocido (165ºF) y se absorba el líquido.
- Pon las aceitunas y el cilantro por encima.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality chicken for the best flavor. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts work well.
- If you don't have achiote paste, you can make your own by blending annatto seeds with a little bit of oil.
- Be sure to toast the rice before cooking it. This will give it a nutty flavor and help it to absorb the other ingredients.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven for cooking the rice. This will help to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add the chicken and vegetables to the pot in stages. This will help to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Let the rice rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to absorb all of the flavors.
Conclusion:
Arroz con pollo al achiote is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The achiote paste gives the rice a beautiful orange color and a slightly smoky flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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