Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Rice Delight
Indulge in this hearty Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Rice Delight, where tender, bone-in chicken breasts are slow-cooked to perfection in a zesty, smoky tomato sauce infused with spices like oregano, chili powder, and cumin. As the chicken simmers, its flavors meld with instant rice and vibrant peas, making for a delightful one-dish meal. Finished with bright cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro, this dish not only is nourishing but also makes an eye-catching presentation perfect for entertaining. Serve it straight from the slow cooker for a casual yet impressive dinner with family and friends.
N/A
Servings
545
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
skinless chicken breasts, bone-in
4 lbs (6 small pieces)
dried oregano
1 tablespoon (none)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (none)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
diced tomatoes, canned
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (none)
onion
1 small (cut into 1-inch chunks)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
chipotle chile
1/2 (from canned chipotle in adobo sauce)
low sodium chicken broth
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
instant rice
1 1/2 cups (none)
frozen peas
1 1/2 cups (none)
cherry tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
fresh cilantro
1/4 cup (coarsely chopped)
lime wedge
1 (for serving)
Instructions
1
Rinse the skinless, bone-in chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2
In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper to create a spice mix.
3
Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over the chicken pieces and rub it in gently with your fingers. Set the remaining spice mix aside.
4
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken to the skillet and sear it for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides.
5
Carefully transfer the browned chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker.
6
In the same skillet, combine the canned diced tomatoes, onion chunks, garlic, chipotle chile, and the remaining spice mixture. Blend this mixture until smooth, then pour it over the chicken in the slow cooker. Finally, add the low-sodium chicken broth.
7
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 2.5 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
8
Once the cooking time is done, gently add instant rice to the slow cooker and stir carefully to combine. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
9
Turn off the slow cooker and fold in the frozen peas. Cover again and let the dish stand for about 15 minutes to allow the peas to warm through.
10
While the dish is resting, halve the cherry tomatoes and toss them with coarsely chopped cilantro.
11
To serve, ladle the chicken and rice onto plates, topping each serving with the cherry tomato and cilantro mixture. Add a lime wedge on the side for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition Information
15.5g
Fat
54g
Carbs
44g
Protein
4.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Chipotle Chicken and Rice Delight?
It is a hearty one-dish meal featuring tender bone-in chicken breasts slow-cooked in a zesty, smoky tomato sauce with spices, instant rice, and peas.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 lbs of skinless, bone-in chicken breasts, typically prepared as 6 small pieces.
What spices are needed for the chicken rub?
You will need dried oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
Do I need to sear the chicken before slow cooking?
Yes, searing the chicken in vegetable oil for about 8 minutes until browned helps develop flavor and texture.
What size slow cooker should I use?
A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended for this recipe.
What ingredients make up the smoky sauce?
The sauce is a blended mixture of canned diced tomatoes, onion chunks, garlic, chipotle chile, and spices.
How long does the chicken cook on the low setting?
On the low setting, the chicken should cook for 4 to 5 hours until tender.
How long does the chicken cook on the high setting?
On the high setting, the chicken should cook for 2 to 2.5 hours.
When is the rice added to the slow cooker?
Instant rice is added after the initial cooking time is complete, then cooked for an additional 30 minutes on high.
Can I use regular rice instead of instant rice?
This recipe specifically uses instant rice because it cooks quickly in the slow cooker environment at the end of the process.
How are the frozen peas incorporated?
Turn off the slow cooker and fold in the frozen peas, then let the dish stand covered for 15 minutes to warm them through.
What are the recommended toppings for serving?
Top the dish with a mixture of halved cherry tomatoes and coarsely chopped fresh cilantro.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 545 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 44g of protein per serving.
Is there a lot of fat in this recipe?
There are 15.5g of fat per serving in this chicken and rice dish.
How many carbohydrates are per serving?
There are 54g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this dish contain dietary fiber?
Yes, each serving contains approximately 4.5g of fiber.
How do you prepare the onion for the sauce?
The onion should be cut into 1-inch chunks before being blended with the other sauce ingredients.
Is the garlic minced or whole?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
How much chipotle chile is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a chipotle chile from a can of chipotle in adobo sauce.
What type of broth is used?
One 14-ounce can of low-sodium chicken broth is added to the slow cooker.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 17 ingredients used in this recipe.
Should I rinse the chicken?
Yes, the instructions suggest rinsing the chicken under cold water and patting it dry with paper towels.
Is this considered a Mexican cuisine dish?
Yes, it is tagged as Mexican cuisine and features traditional flavors like chipotle and cumin.
What provides the acidity at the end?
A lime wedge served on the side provides a burst of fresh citrus flavor.
Can I use bone-in chicken with skin?
The recipe specifically calls for skinless chicken to keep the dish from becoming too greasy during the slow cooking process.
How is the spice mix applied?
Half of the spice mix is rubbed onto the chicken before searing, and the other half is blended into the sauce.
Is the rice stirred during its cooking time?
Yes, the rice should be stirred once halfway through its 30-minute cooking period.
What makes this dish look eye-catching?
The bright green peas, red cherry tomatoes, and fresh green cilantro create a vibrant and appealing presentation.
Is this dish suitable for family dinners?
Yes, it is an impressive yet casual one-dish meal perfect for entertaining family and friends.