This post is also available in Spanish
Colombian-Style Arroz con Pollo was one of my favorite recipes growing up. My mom would make it at least once a week for lunch. Rice with chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Colombia and South America, but every country has their own variation. This is my mom’s Arroz con Pollo recipe. Enjoy!
Traditional Colombian Dishes: Empanadas Colombianas (Colombian Empanadas), Sancocho de Gallina (Chicken Sancocho), Ajiaco Bogotano (Chichen and Potato Soup), Bandeja Paisa (Paisa Tray), Pandebono (Cheese Bread), Buñuelos (Cheese Balls) and Arepas Rellenas de Queso.
Ingredients
(4 Servings)
Chicken and Stock
2 whole chicken breast, bone in and skin removed
1 scallion
½ white onion
2 garlic cloves
½ tablespoon ground cumin
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
1 bay leaf
Salt and Pepper
Rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
¼ cup chopped green pepper
1 cup long- grain white rice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 chicken bouillon tablet
2 ½ cups chicken stock
½ tablespoon sazon goya with azafran
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup frozen diced carrots
½ cup frozen diced green beans
Directions
- Place the chicken breast, 5 cups water and the remaining ingredients for the stock in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the chicken rest in the pot for about 15 minutes covered. Let it cool, shred and set aside. Strain stock and measure 2 ½ cups and set aside.
- In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic and red bell pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the rice, tomato paste, chicken bouillon and sazon goya. Stir until the rice is well coated about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the peas, carrots and green beans and cook for and additional 7 minutes, add the shredded chicken and cilantro, mix well with a fork, cover and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Serve and Enjoy!
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[…] This recipe was adapted from here: Arroz con Pollo […]
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[…] written by Erica, who was born and raised in Colombia. I have made many of her recipes including Arroz con Pollo (anything with chicken and rice is a hit at my house) and Ajiaco Bogotano (Colombian chicken and […]
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[…] like Casado served with rice, beans, meat, a green salad, fried plantains, and corn tortillas; Arroz con Pollo, served with chicken, rice, vegetables, and often accompanied with a Russian Salad; and various […]
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[…] Popular and All-Time Favorite Traditional Colombian Dishes: Arroz con Pollo(Chicken and Rice), Empanadas Colombianas (Colombian Empanadas), Ajiaco Bogotano (Chichen and […]
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Gera @ SweetsFoods says
Erica a classical dish from my childhood and today enjoy in the same manner so yummy!!
Cheers!
Gera
Velva says
Here is a dish I can totally relate too! Growing-up in Miami this was one of my favorite dishes. This is a soul-satisfying dish.
rebecca subbiah says
yummy, oh and great mouth watering presentation as ever Rebecca
Anna says
wow Erica, that looks beautiful and delicious, love the combination.
Erica says
Thanks for the comments!
Oysterculture says
I just know this will be a winner, what a yummy dish to make. Although my version would never look as good as yours
Sophie says
Your arroz con polla looks so tasty, Erica!!
Soma says
Very flavorful esp. with the azafron ! ( do you know that saffron is called “zafran” in India?) .. how similar is that!
Joan Nova says
traditional recipe…but an upscale presentation. Very nice, Erica.
Danielle says
How can you go wrong with those ingredients! Chicken and rice go together like turkey and stuffing. Your dish looks beautiful
Cucinista says
One of those classic comfort food dishes. Saffron just adds that amazing flavor.
Pocky says
Wow! Am I too late for dinner? This looks awesome!
Erica says
Thank you all for visiting my blog!!!!
Idalia says
I just discovered your blog and I like it very much.
norma says
im married to a wonderful colombian guy and even though he loves peruvian food(im peruvian)i know he misses colombian food, sooo today looking for good recipes i found this page and i try it TODAY!! for dinner he loved it soo much he ate three plates thanks… the next one its going to be the small cheese breads 🙂
Erica says
Norma,
Thank you so much for your feedback!
norma says
i forgot to put what i tried it was the arroz con pollo ricooo
Respondon says
It looks great and it *is* great, but my host family in Bogota 30 years ago served it with jugo de tomate de arbol…even today I can hardly type that phrase. That juice was awful, awful stuff. (In English it’s called a tamarillo, and there’s a good Wikipedia article about it.) I have to break the mental association of arroz con pollo with jugo de tomate de arbol, so I can make the recipe!
Nats says
This was my absolute favorite growing up!
Ellie says
The recipe calls for green pepper. Is it green bell pepper, or green pepper as in jalapeno or serrano?
Looking forward to making this yummy recipe for our Latin Flavor fundraiser at church 🙂
Erica says
Ellie- Green bell pepper.
Annie E says
I made this dish for my Colombian husband tonight and he LOVED it. I will be making more recipes from your website in the future – Thanks!
Erica says
Annie- thank you so much for your feedback! glad he liked it!
Luisa says
Cant wait to cook this dish. I ate it as a little girl, and now thnx to this recipe I get to share it with my family.
Martha says
Erica,
You should think about putting your wonderful receipes in a book. So, you can make some $$$. I am pretty sure you will be besides rich, you will be recognized as a woman with the Colombian sazon…………..
Love all your receipes and most the pictures, they look so yami and authentic!!
Martha =)
Erica says
Martha- LOL. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! If I find a good publisher 😉
Tyson F. Gautreaux says
Thanks for the post, I stumbled upon it when I was searching things related to chicken coops in Yahoo. It’s not exactly what I was looking for but I picked some interesting things. Thanks again.
Kimberly says
Hello! I was VERY pleased with this recipe. My husband, who is Colombian, said it was perfect. Thank you. Just a note to others, depending on the kind of rice you use, you might need just a few more minutes of cooking time. I reserved more stock for this case.
Erica says
Kimberly- Thank you so much for your feedback!
Andrea says
Erica,
In this recipe it looks like the rice is already been pre-cooked, am I right?
What brand of rice do you recommend?
Thank you.
Erica says
Andrea- The rice is not pre- cooked. I use Canilla or Goya!
Andrea says
Erica, soy Bogotana – llevo 12 anos viviendo en NY, PA y ahora MD y le cuento que extrano mucho la comida de mi tierra. La falta de conocimiento de muchos ingredientes no me permitia cocinar recetas Colombianas. Gracias: esta noche ARROZ CON POLLO!!!
Anonymous says
This arroz con pollo recipe was perfect. My kids love it and it was better the next day.
Angie Loaiza says
OMG I have been looking for this recipe forever, my husband is Colombian and my son is half and I have been cooking his dishes for years and when I came across this I had to try it and it is the bomb I can not wait till he gets home to serve this dish to him. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous says
I made this Arroz con Pollo and it was delicious…..better the next day. Thank you. Great recipes.
Luz Adriana says
Thanks for this recipe. I looking in every place for arroz con pollo and finally I found.
Jasmin says
This Dish makes wanna cry!!!! Thank you for showing us to make it. Now I can try to cook it just like my Mom and Grandma’s Colombian dish.I never cook in my life but I can learn!!!
LeeAn Kahriger says
So excited to try! Was an exchange student 20 some years ago in Bucaramanga and still think about and miss the food. I was especially looking for an arroz con polo recipe. Thanks so much!
LeeAn Kahriger says
Made this today! So good and so easy. Just what I had been missing from my exchange year more than 20 years ago!!! Thank you so much. Bought stuff to make arepas too! Can’t wait to try!
Dawn says
Loved loved Arroz con Pollo! Can’t wait to try your other recipes… =)
Isabel says
Erica,
For the past few weeks I searched for Colombian recipes and came across your site, this website reminds me of the book Julie and Julia. The photos accompanying the recipes are wonderful; they entice the reader to cook! Tonight I cooked arroz con pollo and loved it!! As I was eating I closed my eyes and felt as I were eight-years-old, sitting at my grandmother’s house eating her food. I added sweet plantains, avocado, and passion fruit juice to complete the dish. I am looking forward to making other of your dishes!! Thank you for having this wonderful idea of bringing our Colombia everywhere, people will be able to see how amazing our food can be!
Vanessa says
Hi Erica,
In step 3 when you say “add the rice” is it supposed to be cooked already?
Erica says
Vanessa- No, It is uncooked.
Samantha from Maine says
I am making this on Saturday…This looks soooo good.
Samantha from Maine says
It was fantastic! Thanks!
Diana says
Made this for lunch on Saturday and again, it was a home run! It tastes exactly like the arroz con pollo we used to eat in Colombia and it was so easy to make. For some reason I had to add another 20 minutes to the rice because it was still crunchy when I tasted it. Other than that, it was beyond delicious. Thanks again!!
Olga A says
Thank you so much for the recipe. . .
It looks delicious and exactly how I want my arroz con pollo to come out. . .
Will be trying it tonight 🙂
Jackie says
Erica I love your blog! Im Colombian born in the US and Im also working on a blog of my own that includes some of my favorite Colombian dishes my mom makes! Your Arroz con pollo looks very similar to my mom’s! I love cooking her food, makes me feel like Im still at home! I look foward to reading your blog! 🙂
Paula says
I tried the Arroz Con Pollo recipe twice now. The taste is great but my rice is alwas mushy. What type of rice do you use?
Erica says
Paula- Long grain white rice (Canilla or Goya). You can add less liquid to the rice and it will be drier (about 1/2 cup lees)…..I like mine moist.
Nubia says
Looking at your food takes me back home!! My mom is originally from Colombia and I have have been there to visit my family many times. I am married now and want to share part of my culture with my American husband and create new family traditions and this will help! Thank you so much, I can’t wait to try these recipes!
jairo says
Hola Erica ! i` m colombian guy that loves to cook , my wife is american and now she how to make white rice , empanadas and patacones…. but the first time i made this recipe ; she was wow wow …. thanks for share our traditional cousine !
Johanna says
Hola Erica! I am so excited about trying your recipe for arroz con pollo, my colombian family is coming to visit and although I am colombian I can’t say I cook a lot of traditional colombian food. I am so glad I found your recipe, cause I was looking to make something delicious,easy and traditional,and I think this covers all of those requirements.!!!!!! Thanks again…..
Maria says
“I am LOVING your recipes! You are a genius! I made this tonight and it was delish, and I’ve made other recipes of yours as well.
Patricia says
I have tried this recipe on numerous occasions. Not only is it easy to follow ,
it is always perfect. I get lots of complements .
Andrea says
I made this recipe exactly how it states and it was fantastic!!! No alterations necessary
Christian says
Thank you for the recipe, I’m also Colombian! and always enjoyed eating this dish now I’m giving it a go…so far so good, I’m towards the final stage and hopefully my Italian wife likes it because she is a great Sicilian cook. She is looking forward to try it.
roberta says
Hallo, I’m italian, but I have some colombian friends…I wanted to surprise them and cook something from their country..so,thank you for your recipse they are soooo tasty and helped me to learn how to cook colombian food…I hope I can visit Colombia really soon!
Gracias
Anonymous says
You will LOVE this recipe!
This is a wonderful recipe and has become a staple in our home!
Miriam says
I made this arroz con pollo last night for dinner and we all loved it!!! Delicious and easy to make.
Luz Adriana says
Thanks Erica for the recipe, I’m from Medellin and live in California and no one knows about Arroz con Pollo, I will try it next week.
Catalina says
OMG!!!! Thank you for posting this recipe, I made it today…..my rice came out a little bit hard, but the taste was DELICIOUS!!!
Gina C. says
I made this last night exactly as written. As with all your recipes I’ve tried, this was exactly the flavors I recall from my Colombian family. This will definitely be added into my menu rotation. Your blog is by far the best resource for delicious Colombian food. I’m so glad to have found you!
Lina says
Loved it! Easy, quick and great flavor. This will be one I’ll use again.
Karen S. says
My Colombian son-in-law was recently in an accident & is recovering in my home. I made this recipe for him & he loved it! Three of his Colombian friends came to visit & they each had two servings! My whole family loved it, too! Today I’m making the Short Ribs with Colombian spices in the slow cooker. I can’t wait to taste it as it smells delicious. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Monica says
This recipe has made my 16 year old son very happy. Orroz con pollo was his favorite dish to eat when we were in Colombia this past summer on a missions trip. I’ve used this recipe four times since our return in July. Today, I am preparing it for not just my family but about 75 other people as it is the main dish at our lunch at church today.
Gloria says
Hi Erica,
Thanks for sharing your great recipes with us.
I am Colombian American and grew up with this same Arroz con Pollo recipe. The only difference in my version is that I add the chicken and frozen vegetables right after coating the rice with the oil and tomato paste. I basically bring everything to a boil , then simmer. I was wondering why you add the vegetables and the chicken after the rice is mostly cooked? Doesn’t that make it a lot harder to get everything mixed together? Would love your thoughts on this as I am always open to making this great dish ever better. 🙂
Thanks,
Gloria
Erica says
Hi Gloria, This is my mom’s recipe and I learned it from her……The chicken is pre-cooked and I used the broth from that chicken to cook the rice.
Amparo says
I made this arroz con pollo and I loved it, it tasted like my mom’s rice.Thank you.
P. Cantu says
I’ve tried two other arroz con pollo recipes and they came out OK … I measure my cooking success based on how much food is left over after making a meal. I tried your recipe and it was wiped out clean. It came out delicious but I had to use 6 cups of chicken stock as the rice was drying out quickly.
war says
I’m on my way to buy all the ingredients to make this today. Imma see if I find some guanabana to make some jugo and eat it just like my mom used to make it for me. Thank you
Monica T. says
Thank you Erica for sharing your recipes in english. I was born here but my parents are from Medellin. I tried your arroz con pollo and it came out delicious!
Carlos says
Hola, soy un estudiante universitario nacido en Colombia y de ves en cuanto me gusta venir a tu pagina y concinar un poco. Todas tus recetas me han salido muy ricas! En esta se te olvido incluir en la receta cuanto arroz, me imagino que 1 1/2?
Erica says
Carlos-Es 1 cup…..si miras bien esta en la lista de ingredientes para el arroz.
ktrin says
es una receta tradicional y deliciosa, solo una sugerencia, cilantro en ingles es CORIANDER…
Lina S says
Prepare esta receta ayer y me salió maravillosa, no esperaba que me fuera ir así de bien. Muchas gracias, saludos desde NJ
Erica says
Lina- Gracias!
Lauren says
I made this last night and it was delicious!! Even my 3 year old son ate it right up! Thanks for sharing your family recipes! Keep them coming!!
Carolyn says
My Colombian friend and I are addicted to this stuff!!! I tried some of it when her grandmother came over and I couldn’t get enough!! That’s why we are going to try to recreate it tonight! I know it will be delicious! 🙂
Daniela says
Erica, eres increible… de verdad que deberias pensar en publicar tus recetas en un libro… no solo son perfectas sino que el prologo que le pones a cada unas las hace mas atractivas, lo mismo que las fotos… me muero por hacer el arroz con pollo este domingo para el dia del padre… tambien tengo listos los ingredientes para la torta de pan que le quiero agregar guayaba. Gracias otra vez y felicitaciones! Daniela
Veronica says
Hola Erica, quisiera hacer arroz con pollo para 30 personas… me puedes sugerir como cambiar las medidas? especialmente para preparar el arroz y que quede bien.
Nicole says
Hi Erica,
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m creating a Paleo version for a client, which is surprisingly easy. Great authentic flavors!
Miriam says
I love trying recipes from around the World and have a new found craving for latin foods.. can’t wait to try this!
Patricia says
I was looking for receipe for a pot luck that had it’s origin in South America. This was easy, beautiful to look at and tasty. I could not find the Sazon Goya with saffron, but did find a sazon Goya con cilantro y achiote. It had more of an orange color. Is there a big difference? The flavor was very good.
Erica Dinho says
No, I used both and they are similar.
diana says
A great arroz con pollo! Made it for my husband who absolutely loved it. So much so I had to make it again. The next day! 🙂 Quick question about doubling the recipe. How does doubling affect the rice’s cooking time? Thanks 🙂
Julia says
I make this arroz con pollo twice a week. It’s my favorite Colombian recipe.
Zehra says
Lovely recipe! Any tips of making it for a large group like around 30 people? How much should I multiply the recipe by?
Carrie says
Do I add the rice cooked or uncooked? I’m going to make this tonight!!!
Erica Dinho says
Uncooked.
Luisa says
Hola erica me encantan tus recetas siempre estoy ensayando cosas nuevas y ya he hecho muchas tuyas. Yo vivo en nj con mi familia y la verdad es que la comidita lo transporta a uno . Te quería preguntar algo sobre esta receta de arroz con pollo , haré una fiesta en estos días y quisiera hacerlo pero seria para 40 personas … Sabes mas o menos cuanto necesitaría de ingredientes?
Erica Dinho says
Hola Luisa, Esta receta puede servir hasta 6 personas, entoces puedes multipicar los ingredientes por 7. El procedimiento es el mismo, pero debes usar una olla bien grande.
Mary Johnson says
Cuanto arroz? 1 cup?
Erica Dinho says
1 cup.
KMCox says
I have made this twice and am making a double recipe this time. It is perfect!
Deborah says
Has anyone tried making this ahead and freezing? It sounds delicious and I prepare meals for others and would love to make this.
Sam Brooks says
If we were to leave the grren pepers off since im making this dish for a class project and a kid is allergic to it would there be any big change in the recipe and taste of it??
Erica Dinho says
No. It will be fine.
Natasha says
Hi! What type of rice do you recommend I use?
Erica Dinho says
I use long grain white rice.
Jeanny B. says
Hi Erica,
This dish looks absolutely delicious and I am looking to cook it soon. Wondering if you could please clarify the first part of the recipe please?
When you say ” place chicken breast, 5 cups water and the remaining ingredients for the stock in a medium pot”, which exactly are “the remaining ingredients” you are referring to? Sorry about the question…….
I have tried many of your recipes and they have all been delicious and quite a hit. The last one I made was albondigon. Thanks for the wonderful recipes!!
Sincerely, Jeanny
Jeanny B. says
Sorry Ercia you can ignore my message. I just figured it out. Apologies!!
Mrs Monica Godwin says
Hello Erica,
Thank you so much to this blog. I don’t know if you still monitor it, but I have a question please. I’m in the UK and cannot easily buy saizon Goya or annatto/achiote. I’d like to make my own seasoning, so what would you recommend I use instead of achiote/annatto please?
Erica Dinho says
Here is the recipe to make your own: http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/homemade-powdered-seasoning
Monica Godwin says
Thank you for your reply Erica, but I cannot buy ground achiote or annato here in the UK. What would your advice be for an alternative please? I’ve been researching this and was thinking Tumeric and Paprika (not hot, and can’t find sweet!), do you agree? Thanks again.
Erica Dinho says
Yes.
Mrs Monica Godwin says
Thank you. 🙂
alex machado says
When you say ” place chicken breast, 5 cups water and the remaining ingredients for the stock in a medium pot”, which exactly are the remaining ingredients you are referring to?
Pbo says
I also don’t understand what this means. Can someone explain? Thanks.
kevin varela says
hey great recipe, I been searching for this and I love how u have the ketchup in the background u know that arroz con pollo goes great with ketchup lol reminds me of my childhood. making this for the wife n son tomorrow hope it come out as fantastic as yours
Jacqui Lacey says
how many servings is this?
Ana says
I have a question. When you list the ingredients, you say chicken AND stock. Is that 2 different things or is it supposed to be chicken stock? Also, in the directions, it says 5 cups of water and the ” rest” of the ingredients for the stock. What are the “rest” of the ingredients for the stock. Those parts were confusing to me. Thanks.
Aiste says
I love your website! When I want to surprise my Colombian boyfriend ( I’m Lithuanian) I always come to check your recipes. And today I’m trying this one. I love Colombian food!
Alicia says
How does tripling the recipe affect the cooking time?
Kathy says
Is there a similar recipie that used shrimp instead of chicken? We just came back from Colombia and kept seeing something similar to this but with shrimp. Wanted to surprise my husband with it since he never got to order it. Thanks!
Erica Dinho says
http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/rice-with-shrimp-arroz-con-camarones
Julie says
This is my favorite colombian dish and my husband feels like he is back home when I make it!! Thanks for the recipe!
Monique says
How much rice?
Robert says
I made this today and used Triguisar instead of Sazón Goya- turned out great! Awesome recipe
Julia says
Hi!
When should I use the scallions, bay leaf and spices you mention on the recipe list?
Maria says
I’m wondering the same thing!
Yamilet says
I’m so excited to try this recipe, I ate this a lot growing up but never learned how to make it!
If you’re using the sazon Goya packets, how many would you use?
Erica Dinho says
1/2 or 1. To your taste.
Andrew W. says
Making this tonight for the 3rd week in a row… Stores excellent and I actually find myself eating it for breakfast most often, with a fried egg on top of course! Thank you so much.
Kudrat kart says
I made this today and used Triguisar instead of Sazón Goya- turned out great! Awesome recipe
chris 06 says
Beaucoup de ressemblance avec la paella espagnole
Merci et bises Chris 06