Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken

Name: Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Peruvian
Ingredients: 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks; 2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems); 2 cups fresh baby spinach; 12 oz lager beer; 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed; 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp aji amarillo paste (jarred); 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 large carrot, diced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tbsp vegetable oil

A Peruvian one-pot classic of chicken pieces braised with beer and a vibrant cilantro puree, cooked together with rice, peas, and vegetables for a deeply flavored, emerald-green dish.

75 minMediumServes 4580 cal/serving

PeruvianDinnerStovetopStandardHigh Protein

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Ingredients

4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
12 oz lager beer
2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp aji amarillo paste (jarred)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 large carrot, diced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Blend 2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems) and 2 cups fresh baby spinach with 1/2 cup water in a blender until smooth to make the green puree. Set aside.
2

Season 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks all over with 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
3

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, skin side down first, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4

Reduce heat to medium. In the same pot, cook 1 medium finely diced yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper for 5 minutes until softened. Add 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp aji amarillo paste (jarred), and 1 tsp ground cumin; cook for 1 minute.
5

Pour in 12 oz lager beer and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
6

Remove the chicken pieces. Stir the green puree and 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth into the pot. Add the 2 cups rinsed long-grain white rice and 1 large diced carrot. Bring to a boil, then nestle the chicken pieces back on top, skin side up. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and cook for 20 minutes.
7

Scatter 1 cup frozen peas over the top, replace the lid, and cook for 5 more minutes. Verify the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Fluff the rice gently and serve.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken reach?

For Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 7. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Can I skip the searing in Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken?

Step 3 reads: "Brown the chicken in batches, skin side down first, about 4 minutes per side." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 3 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

What equipment do I need for Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a Dutch oven (step 3) and a blender (step 1). If you do not have one, any heavy pot with a tight lid does the work of the Dutch oven.

Is there a substitute for beer in Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken?

The entry for Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken calls for 12 oz lager beer. In its place: Stock or a non-alcoholic beer, in the same volume.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken uses 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks.

Can I make Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken is 12 oz lager beer. Swap the beer for a certified gluten-free beer or a dry cider. Everything else proceeds as written.

How much protein is in Arroz con Pollo Cilantro Green Rice and Chicken?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 34 g of protein in about 580 calories, alongside 58 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 620 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

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