One-Dish Chicken and Rice (Asopao de Pollo)

Courtesy of EatingWell Magazine

My daughter and I made this meal just last week – we added 2 different kinds of chiles for more depth of flavor. Super easy to make and better for leftovers. Everyone loved it and it is pretty healthy! One-Dish Chicken and Rice (Asopao de Pollo)

Active Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Yield: 8 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each

This Puerto Rican one-dish chicken and rice stew is rich in flavor.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 Anaheim or poblano chile peppers, chopped (see Note)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1 4-ounce jar pimientos, rinsed
  • 8 pimiento-stuffed green olives, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 1/2 cups brown rice
  • 2/3 cup packed chopped fresh cilantro

Note: Anaheim chiles (a.k.a. New Mexico chiles) are 7 to 10 inches long, ripen from green to red and are mildly spicy. Poblano peppers (sometimes called pasilla peppers) are dark green in color, about 6 inches long and can be fiery or relatively mild; there’s no way to tell until you taste them. The two can be used interchangeably and are found at most large supermarkets.

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, chiles, onion, oregano, paprika and salt and cook, stirring, until the onions have softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add tomato sauce, tomato, pimientos, olives, capers and water and bring to a boil. Stir in rice; return to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the sauce is thick, the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve.