Easy Chipotle Arroz Con Pollo
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Mahatma® Jasmine White Rice
- 6 bone-in, skin-on whole chicken legs, cut into drumstick and thigh portions
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil (approx.), divided
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 canned chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, chopped
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 3 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
Spicy chipotle chicken is combined with Mahatma® Jasmine White Rice, and all the best Mexican flavors to make a seriously flavorful chipotle arroz con pollo.
Step 1
Season chicken with chili powder and salt.
Step 2
In large Dutch oven or saucepan set over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp oil. In batches to avoid crowding, add chicken and cook, turning, for 5 to 7 minutes or until starting to brown all over, adding more oil as needed. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate as chicken is browned.
Step 3
Add onion and garlic to oil in Dutch oven set over medium. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes or until starting to soften. Stir in rice, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until well coated.
Step 4
Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Stir in lime juice. Return chicken to Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Before serving, fluff rice mixture with fork and garnish with cilantro.
Recipe Tips
Add 1 cup frozen vegetable medley — such as peas, corn and carrots — in the last 10 minutes of cooking if desired.
For a zesty addition, add 1/2 cup sliced green olives or 1/4 cup drained capers with the lime juice in Step 4.
Difference Between Chili Powder and Paprika
Paprika: Consisting of a red colored blend of powdered spices, paprika brings on the heat because of the cayenne pepper. It also contains other spices such as cumin, garlic powder, oregano and paprika.
Chili powder: Chili powder, on the other hand, can range from mild to moderately spicy, depending on how much cayenne pepper is involved. Chili powder can be found in a variety of different recipes such as: Quick Spanish Rice, Mojo Chicken and Yellow Rice Bowl, and Brown Rice and Black Bean Burrito.
The main difference between the two is that paprika is made from a singular chili, while chili powder is often a combination of chiles and includes other ingredients such as cumin and garlic powder.
Adobo Sauce
Adobo sauce is made from chili powder, vinegar, sugar, garlic and herbs. Its original use was to flavor and preserve specific types of meat. The essence of adobo can range from the strong garlicky flavor in the dry blend, to the fiery red chili that gives the flavorful marinade its signature heat. It is the ultimate marinating spice blend and is prominently used in Mexican and Latin American cooking.
Substitutes for Adobo Sauce
A select few flavorings can serve as a satisfactory Adobo sauce substitute including: tabasco chipotle hot sauce, ranchero sauce, chili garlic sauce, or ancho chile paste. You could also use a simple dry spice blend consisting of everyday offerings that you probably already have sitting in your spice cabinet.
Try our jasmine rice recipes for more delicious dinner ideas.
