Summer Bites: Arroz Con Pollo 2.0
Hope your Summer is going well! Celebrating the warmth of July with one of my all-time fan favorites - the ever delicious and simply delightful Arroz Con Pollo! This one-pot chicken and rice dish is common across many cultures around the globe and is very similar to other rice-based dishes such as Jolly, Pilau, and Paella. It is very simple to prepare but packs quite a sophisticated punch in the flavor department thanks to the irresistible aromatic notes of garlic, ginger, and an assortment of other warm spices.
To prepare this delectable dish, follow the same instructions as my previous post last year. However, there are 2 major variations that I purposely made for this recipe:
First, I used brown basmati rice instead of the regular white basmati rice. This means I had to adjust and increase the amount of liquid I used by about 1/2 cup in order to ensure the rice cooked through properly and didn't end up too dry once done. I also reduced the heat to medium low once the rice was simmering to facilitate a slower and therefore more through cooking process since brown rice tends to take longer to cook. Therefore, be sure to allow about 10 more minutes than the previous recipe to ensure the rice cooks through properly!
Second, after searing the chicken pieces and setting them aside, I created a well-seasoned vegetable base (see first photo below for reference) consisting of crushed ginger and garlic blended together with an assortment of mixed vegetables including onions, tomatoes, peas, and carrots. Once this base was fully formed after about 5 - 7 minutes, I then added 2 cups of washed brown basmati rice and proceeded with the rest of the steps as before.
I hope you give this Arroz Con Pollo 2.0 variation a try soon and do let me know how it goes. One thing I can guarantee is you will end up with a hearty and truly fulfilling meal that will leave you yearning for more...Enjoy! 😍😋💖
