Discover the vibrant flavors of Spain in this simple yet incredibly satisfying one-pot rice dish. Packed with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and aromatic spices, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will transport your taste buds straight to the sunny Iberian Peninsula.
Ingredients
- US Measurements:
- 1¼ cups long-grain rice
- 14 oz chicken breast
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 carrots
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 5.3 oz fresh or frozen peas
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 2¼ cups chicken broth
- Metric Measurements:
- 250g long-grain rice
- 400g chicken breast
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 carrots
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 150g fresh or frozen peas
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 500ml chicken broth
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Prep the Vegetables
- Peel and finely chop onion, garlic, carrots, and bell pepper
- Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet
- Sauté onion and garlic for 3 minutes
- Cook the Chicken
- Add chicken cubes to the skillet
- Season with salt, paprika, and cumin
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden
- Add Vegetables
- Incorporate carrots, bell pepper, and peas
- Mix thoroughly
- Prepare the Rice
- Add rice to the skillet
- Stir to coat with oil and spices
- Cooking the Rice
- Pour in hot chicken broth
- Bring to a boil
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes
- Do not stir during cooking
- Finishing Touches
- Check rice doneness
- Cook an additional 5 minutes if needed
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving
Cooking Details
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
Why This Spanish Rice is a Nutritional Champion
This one-pot wonder isn’t just delicious – it’s a nutritional powerhouse:
- Lean protein from chicken supports muscle health
- Colorful vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals
- Complex carbohydrates from rice offer sustained energy
- Low in fat, high in flavor
Pro Cooking Tips
- Broth Shortcut: Use a chicken bouillon cube dissolved in boiling water if homemade broth isn’t available
- Variation: Swap chicken for shrimp to create a vibrant seafood version
Serve hot and enjoy a taste of Spanish comfort food that’s both nutritious and incredibly satisfying. ¡Buen provecho!