When I cook Cuban Chicken Recipes like this arroz con pollo, I feel right at home. The rice turns golden, the chicken turns tender, and the whole kitchen smells like garlic, cumin, and warm comfort. We gather around the stove, sneak bites, and talk about old family dinners that ran long into the night. This dish sits at the heart of cuban recipes. I often serve it with cuban side dishes, warm slices from a cuban bread recipe, and sometimes a spread of cuban appetizers that keep everyone busy until the rice finishes. It fits right in with cuban food recipes that fill the table and make people stay a little longer. If you love cuban dinner recipes that feel honest and filling, this one will earn a spot in your weekly plan. I cook it when I want one pot, big flavor, and quiet smiles around the table. It feels simple, it tastes rich, and it brings us back for seconds every single time.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
4) How to Make Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
5) Tips for Making Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
6) Making Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

I cook this dish when I want comfort that feels honest and filling. This meal sits proudly among Cuban Chicken Recipes that families pass down and guard with love. The rice turns golden, the chicken grows tender, and the pot fills the house with garlic and cumin. We gather close. We talk. We eat more than we planned.

This recipe uses simple pantry staples. It builds flavor in layers. You brown the chicken, soften the vegetables, coat each grain of rice, then let the broth do its work. That steady method gives you the kind of depth people expect from classic Cuban chicken and rice dishes.

If you crave authentic Cuban chicken recipes that bring everyone to the table, this one delivers. It works for weeknights. It shines at Sunday dinner. It proves that one pot Cuban poultry meals can feel rich without feeling hard.

2) Easy Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

I love recipes that look impressive yet feel simple once you start. This is one of those Cuban Chicken Recipes that sounds grand but behaves kindly in your kitchen. You need one pot, a sturdy spoon, and a little patience. That is it.

The magic starts when chicken hits hot oil. It sizzles. The skin turns crisp. You flip it and see that deep golden color. That color means flavor. When onions and peppers join the pot, they soften and release their sweet scent. Garlic follows. Your kitchen smells warm and familiar.

This meal stands tall among cuban dinner recipes that families rely on. It pairs well with cuban side dishes and a warm cuban bread recipe straight from the oven. I often set out small plates of cuban appetizers while the rice cooks. We snack, we laugh, and we wait for that lid to lift.

3) Ingredients for Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

Chicken thighs bring deep flavor and stay juicy as they cook with the rice. I prefer bone in pieces since they give the broth a richer taste.

Olive oil starts the browning process and helps the spices cling to the chicken. A small amount goes far.

Onion adds sweetness and body. Once it softens, it forms the base of the whole dish.

Green bell pepper gives a mild bite and classic color that you see in many cuban recipes.

Garlic builds warmth. When it hits the heat, the aroma fills the room fast.

Cumin and oregano shape the heart of many cuban food recipes. They taste earthy and steady.

Paprika and sazón tint the rice and deepen the flavor. That golden hue makes the dish look inviting.

Tomato sauce adds body and a gentle tang that balances the spices.

Long grain white rice cooks up fluffy and holds each flavor close.

Chicken broth carries all the seasoning into every grain.

Frozen peas add small bursts of sweetness and color at the end.

Fresh cilantro finishes the pot with a clean note.

4) How to Make Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

Step 1 Pat the chicken dry. Season it with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Press the spices in with your hands so they stick well.

Step 2 Heat olive oil in a heavy pot. Place the chicken skin side down. Let it brown without moving it too much. Flip and brown the other side. Remove and set aside.

Step 3 Add onion and bell pepper to the same pot. Cook until soft. Stir in garlic and let it cook for a short moment.

Step 4 Stir in tomato sauce and sazón. Let it bubble so the flavors blend.

Step 5 Add rinsed rice. Stir so every grain gets coated in the seasoned mixture.

Step 6 Return chicken to the pot. Pour in broth. Bring to a gentle boil. Cover and lower heat. Let it cook until rice turns tender.

Step 7 Stir in peas near the end. Let the pot rest with the lid on. Fluff with a fork and sprinkle cilantro on top.

5) Tips for Making Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

Use a heavy pot with a tight lid. That steady heat keeps the rice from burning at the base. I learned that the hard way once. Thin pans scorch fast.

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. That step removes extra starch and keeps the grains separate. No one wants clumps.

Resist the urge to lift the lid often. Steam needs space to work. Each time you peek, you lose heat. Trust the process. Let the rice cook undisturbed and you will taste the difference.

6) Making Cuban Arroz Con Pollo Ahead of Time

I make this dish ahead when I plan for busy days. It reheats well and the flavors settle into the rice overnight.

Cook it fully, let it cool, then store it in the fridge. The next day, warm it on the stove with a small splash of broth. That brings the rice back to life.

This habit saves time and keeps me on track when the week feels full. Among Cuban Chicken Recipes, this one handles make ahead plans with ease.

7) Storing Leftover Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

Place leftovers in a sealed container and store them in the fridge. They stay good for several days.

Reheat on the stove or in the oven with a bit of broth to keep the rice soft. Stir gently so the grains stay intact.

I sometimes pack leftovers for lunch. The flavors feel even deeper the next day. That small bonus makes this one of my favorite Cuban Chicken Recipes to cook in big batches.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Cuban Arroz Con Pollo