Pollo Guisado with Arroz con Gandules

Ingredients

• For the Pollo Guisado (Stewed Chicken):
• 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or drumsticks) 🍗
• 1 tsp salt 🧂
• 1 tsp black pepper 🌿
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• Juice of 1 lime 🍋
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 0.5 onion, diced 🧅
• 0.5 green bell pepper, diced 🫑
• 0.5 red bell pepper, diced 🌶️
• 1 small tomato, chopped 🍅
• 2 tbsp sofrito 🥄
• 1 tsp cumin ✨
• 1 tsp oregano 🌿
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 1 packet Sazón with Annatto 🌟
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• 0.5 cup chicken broth 🥣
• 0.5 cup pitted green olives (optional) 🫒
• 1 small carrot, sliced 🥕
• For the Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas):
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 2 tbsp sofrito 🧄
• 0.5 onion, diced 🌿
• 0.5 green bell pepper, diced 🌶️
• 1 packet Sazón with Annatto 🍅
• 1 can (15 oz) pigeon peas, drained 🫘
• 2 cups long-grain white rice 🍚
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth 🥣
• 0.5 cup pitted green olives (optional) 🫒

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
2. 2In a bowl, season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic, and lime juice. Let sit for 15 minutes. 🍗🍋
3. 32️⃣ Brown the Chicken
4. 4Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside. 🥘🔥
5. 53️⃣ Make the Stew Base
6. 6In the same pot, sauté onions, bell peppers, tomato, and sofrito until fragrant. Stir in cumin, oregano, paprika, Sazón, and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors. 🍅🌿
7. 74️⃣ Simmer the Chicken
8. 8Return the chicken to the pot, add chicken broth, olives, and carrots. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. 🍗🔥
9. 95️⃣ Make the Arroz con Gandules
10. 10In a separate pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté sofrito, onion, bell pepper, and Sazón. Stir in pigeon peas and rice, coating with flavor. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until fluffy and tender. 🍚🫘
11. 116️⃣ Serve & Enjoy
12. 12Plate the Arroz con Gandules and top it with a generous serving of Pollo Guisado. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot! 🌿🔥