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You are here: Home » Chicken » Arroz Con Pollo Recipe (Mexican Chicken with Rice)

Arroz Con Pollo Recipe (Mexican Chicken with Rice)

Published: Jul 9, 2017 · Updated: Mar 25, 2021 by Mely Martínez

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A classic across various countries, this recipe for arroz con pollo is my Mexican take on this delicious chicken dish. Packed full of juicy chicken, rice, and bite-sized veggies, this chicken and rice is the perfect wholesome meal!

Arroz con Pollo Mexican recipe - chicken with rice

Chicken and rice- so simple yet so delicioso!

When you smell the aromas of arroz con pollo wafting through your kitchen, a rice stew with chunks of chicken cooking in a clay pot, your mind wanders to a distant place, like a kitchen on a farm where a grandmother is cooking just for you.

The juices that the chicken releases impart an incredibly delicious flavor to the rice. The vegetables you add (like carrots) also benefit from these wholesome flavors making this Mexican arroz con pollo an amazing meal.

The Mexican Version Of Arroz Con Pollo

Many Latin-American countries have their own version of arroz con pollo. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that every single home cook has their own version; some add red or green peppers while others add olives and other local ingredients.

The types of ingredients for the chicken with rice can even depend on the economic situation. For example, when I was growing up, my mother used to add hot dog sausages to her arroz con pollo recipe sometimes. And let me tell you- it was still delicious!

I think that chicken with rice has without a doubt one of the most harmonious combinations of ingredients out of all the one-pot dishes. Additionally, the arroz con pollo is easy to make and uses simple ingredients that can be found anywhere!

I invite you to prepare this wonderful dish and enjoy it with your family.

Homemade Mexican Arroz Con Pollo

This is my own version of arroz con pollo. I know that some of you might remember your mom’s or grandma’s versions, and if so, I hope you share them with me in the comments section!

Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this dish...

  • Rice
  • Chicken
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oil
  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Frozen green peas
  • Garlic cloves 
  • Plum tomatoes
  • Cilantro (optional)

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Cooking Tips:

  • For this specific recipe, I recommend using long grain rice.
  • Place the green peas in a small bowl with warm water to defrost. Make sure to drain them and then set them aside until you are ready to use them in this recipe.
  • You can use any part of the chicken, just make sure that all the pieces are roughly the same size so that they can cook evenly. I recommend using boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts.
  • To cook this chicken with rice, I used the clay cooking pot from Ancient Cookware.

How To Make Arroz Con Pollo: Step By Step Tutorial

To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to this recipe into sections.

Clean The Rice

  • Before you start cooking anything, take the time to properly clean the rice. To do this, rinse the rice in a bowl and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the impurities to be washed from the rice. 

Cook The Chicken

  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil in a large cazuela or pot and add the chicken pieces.
  • Cook for 5 minutes per side.
  • Remove from the pot and set to the side for now.

Add The Rice In

  • After the rice has been soaked, drain the rice using a strainer.
  • Stir the rice into the same pot and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.

Note: Before adding the rice to the cazuela, make sure that there is only about one tablespoon of oil in it.

step by step process for making arroz con pollo

Prep All Of The Veggies

  • Add the diced carrots and the chopped onions to the rice pot.
  • Place the chopped tomato and garlic in your blender along with ¾ cups of warm water and process until smooth.

Mix All Of The Ingredients Together

  • Pour this mixture over the rice and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and season the rice with salt.
  • Adds the chicken pieces and cover the arroz con pollo.
  • Cook for 1 minute and then add the cilantro sprigs and the drained green peas.

Let It Rest And Enjoy!

  • After you are done cooking, remove the arroz con pollo from the heat and let it rest for 12-15 more minutes. 
  • Serve and enjoy!
easy step by step tutorial for making tomato sauce and cooking Mexican chicken with rice.

What To Serve Alongside Mexican Chicken With Rice

This dish is already jammed packed with everything you need. You have protein, a carb and veggies!

If you are wanting to include a few more veggies, consider making this recipe for easy steamed squash.

Arroz con pollo in a clay pot

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for arroz con pollo, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Chicken With Creamy Poblano Sauce
  • Pollo Pibil Recipe
  • Chicken Veracruz Style
  • Easy Chicken Stew (Olla Tapada)
  • Braised Chicken With Tomatoes

I hope you make this recipe for Mexican chicken and rice! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!
Mely

ARROZ CON POLLO - RICE WITH CHICKEN

Mely Martínez – Mexico in my Kitchen
This is my own version of Arroz con Pollo/ Chicken with rice. I know that some of you might remember your mom’s or grandma’s versions, and if so, I hope you share them with me in the comments section!  The vegetables you add (like carrots) also benefit from these wholesome flavors.
4.34 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Chicken, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 263 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup of rice*
  • 4 pieces of chicken
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • ½ cup carrots diced
  • ⅓ cup onion
  • ½ cup frozen green peas**
  • 2 small garlic cloves or 1 large garlic clove
  • 2 plum tomatoes about 8 oz., chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • 3 cilantro sprigs

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the rice and place in a bowl. Cover with warm water and let it soak for 15 minutes.
  • While the rice is soaking, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large cazuela or pot. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  • Now it is time to cook the rice. Drain the rice using a strainer and shake to make sure it doesn’t have any excess moisture. Before adding the rice to the cazuela, make sure that there is only about one tablespoon of oil in it. If you see more oil or fat from the chicken in the cazuela, remove it, since too much oil will render a mushy rice. Now, stir in the rice and cook over medium high heat for 3 minutes.
  • Add the diced carrots and the chopped onions. Cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Place the chopped tomato and garlic in your blender along with ¾ cups of warm water and process until smooth.
  • Pour this mixture over the rice and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat, season with salt, add the chicken pieces, and cover the pot. Cook for 1 minute, then add the cilantro sprigs and the drained green peas (see note above). Keep cooking for 6-8 more minutes.
  • After you are done cooking, remove the Arroz con Pollo pot from the heat and let it rest for 12-15 more minutes. Some cooks cover the pot with a kitchen towel in order to absorb all the moisture from the rice.

(Check to see if your rice needs a little bit more water. If it does, add a couple of tablespoons of hot water at a time. Remember that the chicken will also release its own moisture. Just make sure to check the rice, and do not add too much liquid.)

    Notes

    • *I use long grain rice
    • ** Place the green peas in a small bowl with warm water to defrost. Drain them then set aside until ready to use.
    • You can use any part of the chicken, just make sure that all the pieces are roughly the same size so that they can cook evenly.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ozCalories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3070IUVitamin C: 13.4mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 0.8mg
    Keyword Arroz con pollo, best chicken and rice recipe, rice with chicken, spanish rice with chicken recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous

      July 10, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious....I think I will try this.

      Reply
    2. Pam Gould

      July 26, 2017 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      Where I live in Mexico we only have fresh peas. Are they OK to use? It looks amazing.

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        July 31, 2017 at 8:24 pm

        Hello Pam,

        Of course you can use the fresh ones. Happy cooking!

        Reply
    3. Robert E. Nengasca

      October 27, 2017 at 5:39 am

      5 stars
      Really very happy to say, your post is very interesting to read. I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great. The food looks delicious that makes me want to try the ARROZ CON POLLO.

      Reply
    4. Vanessa Gagne

      January 23, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      4 stars
      I love your recipes and have made a couple others that worked great. This recipe took an extra 30 minutes and the rice did not turn out right at all. I wish there was a better way to troubleshoot this one! The flavor however was on point.

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        January 23, 2019 at 6:54 pm

        Hello Vanessa,
        Did the chicken pieces were big and at room temperature when you started cooking the rice. That is something that I have to add to the recipe. Since some people use chicken that has been in the freezer and if not defrosted right, it will still release some of its own juices, and add more liquid to the rice. Making the rice mushy or the chicken takes longer to cook. I do hope you give the recipe another chance later one. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate the feedback. Happy cooking.

        Reply
    5. Ali

      May 07, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      This is a great recipe! I’ve made it 3 times now & counting. Gracias Mely!

      Reply
    6. Ali

      May 07, 2020 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      Oops. Forgot to rate it. 5 stars easily.

      Reply
    7. Ashley Saber

      June 16, 2020 at 7:33 am

      I was just wondering if you use bone in chicken or boneless chicken?

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        June 16, 2020 at 8:56 am

        Hello Ashley,
        I usually use bone-in chicken when making Arroz con Pollo.

        Reply
    8. Gideon

      December 16, 2020 at 11:01 am

      no spices or chiles?

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        December 16, 2020 at 11:39 am

        Hello Gideon,
        That's right, compare to TEX-MEX food that adds a lot of cumin, we only add garlic and onion to our rice. I know there is a lot of misconceptions about Mexican food. But, in Mexico, we do not add a lot of spices to our meals.

        Reply
    9. Greg

      March 18, 2021 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for all your recipes. This one I will make tonight 🙂

      Reply

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    Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

    Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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