Cuban-Style Yellow Rice with Chicken
This Cuban-Style Yellow Rice with Chicken is a comforting and vibrant dish that embodies the essence of home-cooked Cuban cuisine. Passed down through generations, this recipe perfectly combines tender chicken with aromatic spices and colorful vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors. The delightful pairing of medium grain rice with the richness of chicken and the addition of peas and pimentos add texture and nutrition, making it a balanced one-dish meal. Whether you're cooking for family or friends, this dish will transport your taste buds to the tropical shores of Cuba.
4
Servings
550
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole chicken, cut up
1 (Cut into pieces)
Onion, diced
1/2 (Diced)
Bell pepper, diced
1/2 (Diced)
Garlic cloves, minced
3 (Minced)
Pimentos or red peppers, sliced into strips
8 ounces (Sliced)
Peas
8 ounces (Drained)
Cooking wine
1/2 cup (N/A)
Bijol seasoning
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Chicken bouillon cube
1 (N/A)
Medium grain rice
2 cups (N/A)
Beer
12 ounces (N/A)
Complete seasoning
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by seasoning the chicken pieces thoroughly with complete seasoning, or simply use salt and pepper to taste.
2
In a large pot or deep skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces skin-side down and fry until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the aromatics: dice the onion, bell pepper, and mince the garlic.
4
Once the chicken is browned, add the diced onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, cooking wine, and the chicken bouillon cube into the pot. Stir gently to combine.
5
Cover the pot and let it cook on medium-low heat until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender, about 25-30 minutes.
6
After the chicken is cooked, add the uncooked medium grain rice, the beer, and bijol seasoning to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
7
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
8
If the rice looks too dry, feel free to add more beer or cooking wine as needed during cooking.
9
Once the rice is cooked, gently stir in the drained peas and garnish with strips of pimento or red pepper before serving.
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
68g
Carbs
41g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuban-Style Yellow Rice with Chicken?
It is a comforting and vibrant one-dish meal that combines tender chicken with aromatic spices, medium grain rice, peas, and pimentos.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What is the main protein in this dish?
The main protein is one whole chicken, cut into pieces.
What type of rice is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of medium grain rice.
What ingredient gives the rice its yellow color?
Bijol seasoning is used to give the rice its characteristic yellow color.
How should the chicken be seasoned initially?
The chicken should be seasoned thoroughly with complete seasoning, or salt and pepper to taste.
How long should I brown the chicken?
Fry the chicken pieces skin-side down for about 5 to 7 minutes until lightly browned.
What aromatics are used in this recipe?
The aromatics include diced onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic.
What is the role of cooking wine in this dish?
Cooking wine is added to the pot along with the aromatics and chicken bouillon to create a flavorful cooking liquid for the chicken.
How long does the chicken cook before the rice is added?
The chicken should cook on medium-low heat for 25 to 30 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
What liquid is used to cook the rice?
A 12-ounce beer is used as the primary liquid for cooking the rice, along with any remaining juices in the pot.
What should I do if the rice looks too dry while cooking?
You can add more beer or cooking wine as needed during the cooking process if the rice appears too dry.
When should the peas be added?
The drained peas should be gently stirred in once the rice is fully cooked.
How is the dish garnished?
The dish is garnished with strips of pimento or red pepper before serving.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 550 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 41g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 16g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 68g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
How much onion and bell pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of an onion and 1/2 of a bell pepper, both diced.
What amount of Bijol seasoning is required?
Two teaspoons of Bijol seasoning are needed.
Do I need to use a bouillon cube?
Yes, the recipe uses one chicken bouillon cube for enhanced flavor.
What is the recommended amount of pimentos?
The recipe suggests using 8 ounces of pimentos or red peppers sliced into strips.
How many ounces of peas are used?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of drained peas.
What temperature should the rice simmer at?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot tightly to simmer.
How long does the rice take to simmer?
The rice takes about 20 minutes to become tender and absorb the liquid.
Can I substitute complete seasoning?
Yes, you can simply use salt and pepper to taste if complete seasoning is unavailable.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a balanced one-dish meal containing protein, starch, and vegetables.
What size should the chicken be?
One whole chicken should be used, cut up into pieces.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include Cuban, one-dish meal, chicken, rice, comfort food, quick dinner, and family meal.