Arroz Con Pollo a La Carrera

Some days we just want dinner now and we want it to be easy. We don't want to worry about going to a restaurant or ordering anything. On days like that, we have Arroz con Pollo a La Carrera, which means quick chicken and rice. I make it quick by using Uncle Bens Instant Brown Rice which is far superior to any other instant rice I have tried. I have tried making it with Minute Rice and the results were horrible. Instant white rice is also just a bad idea in this recipe. Make sure you use a skillet with a lid or a pot with a lid, when I make this with long cooking rice I usually use my Le Creuset but for this recipe that is sort of over kill.


Ingredients:
4 to 5 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 Tbs Olive oil
1 Small Yellow Onion - Diced
3 Large Cloves of Garlic - Minced
2 Packets of Sazon Goya*
1 cup Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice
1 tsp Red Pepper Flake†
Salt to Taste

Heat pot/pan to high heat, add olive oil, chicken, peppers and salt. Sauté uncovered for 2 minutes or until the chicken is no longer raw on the outside. Lower the heat to medium high and place cover on pot/pan and let cook covered for about 5 minutes. Remove cover and stir. Use your spoon to shred and cut up the chicken into smaller pieces if you so desire. Add onion, Sazon Goya and Garlic. Stir and let cook until the onions are translucent.

Add the cup of rice and stir in. Then add 1 ¾ cups water, stir together, cover and reduce heat to low. Let cook covered for 10 minutes.

We like to serve it with a nice salad, some shredded cheese and hot sauce, maybe good sour cream if we use too much chili pepper to cool it a little if needed. This can serve two very hungry people or four not so hungry people.

*If you cannot find Sazon Goya you may substitute 2 parts cumin, 1 part garlic powder and 1 part onion powder and 1 part salt. It’s not exactly the same but it’s close.
† We often use a tablespoon maybe more depending how spicy we want it. You can also substitute fresh chilies or dried chili de arbol.

What the Chicken and onions looks like right before you add the rice.