Peruvian Arroz con Pollo Recipe – Coriander Chicken with Rice

Arroz con pollo chicken

Peruvian Arroz con Pollo Recipe – Coriander Chicken with Rice

This rice recipe is a typical dish among Peruvian households. Arroz con Pollo is a Peruvian stew cooked with fresh cilantro or coriander. It is one of my favourite recipes because it is an excellent way to add some veggies to my son’s diet, perfect for those picky children. Also ideal for leftovers because it will reheat without sacrificing flavour or texture.

A table with four dishes of Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo was a reinterpretation of the classic Peruvian northern stew Arroz con Pato (Rice with Duck). Because it was so difficult to find duck and chicha de Jora in the capital, the cooks changed the duck for chicken and the chicha de Jora for beer to make this classic Peruvian dish.

Recently, the Peruvian style of serving the dish has changed a little, and some people will add a Salsa Criolla on the side and “Papa a la huancaina”. In our family we eat it the old-fashioned way, just rice and chicken, otherwise there will be too many carbohydrates in our meal.

A close up of the table with Peruvian Arroz con Pollo dishes

Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks
  • vegetable oil
  • red onion
  • garlic cloves
  • coriander or cilantro
  • yellow chilli paste
  • panka chilli
  • lager beer
  • basmati rice or long grain rice
  • peas
  • Peruvian corn kernels
  • diced carrots
  • red bell pepper or capsicum
  • chicken stock
  • Salt and black Pepper

First, wash the chicken pieces and dry them with paper towels. Trim the excess skin and salt and pepper them. In a big pot or dutch oven, drizzle a little oil and heat oil at medium-high heat. You must brown the chicken for a couple of minutes to have the right colour. Pick the chicken and leave them aside in the same oil-fried onions, garlic, chilli, and cilantro. Add the lager beer (some people put dark beer) and the browned chicken pieces and let it simmer at medium temperature until the chicken is done. PIck the chicken pieces up and keep them in an airtight container to keep them warm. Incorporate the white rice, peas, carrot, corn, and capsicum. Cover the preparation with enough cups of chicken stock or water to cover them all and have a surplus of 1 cm over the mixture. Check the seasoning and let it cook at low heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is thoroughly cooked and without water. Serve the cooked rice with the warm chicken. Some people will serve it with salsa Criolla and huancaina.

A table with Peruvian Arroz con Pollo dishes

Frequently Asked Questions About Arroz con Pollo.

Can we store the leftovers of Arroz con Pollo? 

Yes, you can keep the Arroz con Pollo in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and heat it in the microwave or a skillet without a problem.

What happens if I can find Peruvian chilli?

You can omit the chilli but use all the other ingredients to bring the flavours, like onions, garlic, capsicums, cilantro, etc.

Can I omit the corn, carrots or peas from the preparation? 

Yes, you can skip any of these ingredients. When I don’t find the Peruvian corn, I omit it because I think the other type of corn is too sweet for this dish.

Where can I find Peruvian Aji Amarillo and Panka? 

In some countries in Latin America, you will find them in grocery stores, and others, like here in Australia, you will find them in Latino Markets.

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