Zesty Latin Chicken and Rice Bowl with Fresh Salsa & Avocado Cream
Inspired by Rachael Ray's vibrant flavors, this Zesty Latin Chicken and Rice Bowl is sure to become a family favorite. Juicy, seasoned chicken meets tender rice in a savory medley topped with a fresh homemade salsa and creamy avocado mix. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this hearty dish not only packs in flavors but also nutrients. Enjoy the freshness of ripe tomatoes, chopped olives, and a hint of lime, all combined to delight your taste buds. To save time, you can prepare the salsa and avocado cream a day ahead, making this dish both convenient and delicious.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 (tablespoon)
butter
2 (tablespoons)
boneless skinless chicken breast
1 (lb, cut into bite-sized pieces)
white rice
2 (cups)
chicken stock
3 (cups)
poultry seasoning
1 (teaspoon)
Sazon Goya or fajita seasoning mix
1 (tablespoon)
tomato sauce
1 (cup)
Spanish olives with pimento
1 (cup, drained and chopped)
tomatoes
2 (seeded and chopped)
green bell pepper
1 (small, seeded and chopped)
white onion
1 (small, chopped)
hot sauce
3 (drops)
fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 (cup, chopped)
lime
1/2 (juice of)
salt
to taste
ripe avocados
2 (pitted and flesh removed from skins)
lime
1/2 (juice of)
garlic clove
1
sour cream
1 (cup)
salt
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and butter, allowing them to meld.
2
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the pot, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Sauté until the chicken is lightly browned, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3
Next, stir in the white rice, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to take on some color and flavor.
4
Pour in the chicken stock, then add the poultry seasoning, Sazon or fajita seasoning, and tomato sauce. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a vigorous boil (about 2-3 minutes).
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot, allowing it to simmer for 13-15 minutes or until the rice is tender but still slightly chewy.
6
While the rice and chicken are cooking, prepare the salsa by combining the chopped tomatoes, olives, bell pepper, onion, lime juice, chopped parsley, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7
For the avocado cream, slice the ripe avocados and place them in a food processor along with lime juice, garlic clove, and sour cream. Blend until smooth, adjusting seasoning to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl.
8
After the rice is cooked, stir in 1/2 cup of the prepared salsa into the chicken and rice mixture, then turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
9
Serve the chicken and rice generously in shallow bowls, garnished with spoonfuls of fresh salsa and creamy avocado sauce. Any extra salsa and avocado cream can be served with plantains and corn chips for additional dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this recipe?
The main protein is one pound of boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces.
What type of rice should I use?
This recipe specifically calls for two cups of white rice.
How much chicken stock is required?
You will need three cups of chicken stock to cook the rice and chicken mixture.
What seasonings are used for the Latin flavor?
The dish uses poultry seasoning and a tablespoon of Sazon Goya or fajita seasoning mix.
What ingredients are in the fresh salsa?
The salsa consists of tomatoes, Spanish olives with pimento, green bell pepper, white onion, lime juice, fresh parsley, and hot sauce.
How do I make the avocado cream?
Blend two ripe avocados, lime juice, a garlic clove, and one cup of sour cream in a food processor until smooth.
Can I prepare any parts of this meal in advance?
Yes, you can prepare both the fresh salsa and the avocado cream a day ahead to save time.
How long does the chicken need to sauté?
The chicken should be sautéed for approximately 5-7 minutes until lightly browned.
How long does the rice take to cook?
The rice should simmer on low heat for 13-15 minutes until it is tender but slightly chewy.
What kind of olives are recommended?
The recipe calls for one cup of drained and chopped Spanish olives with pimento.
Is there tomato sauce in the rice?
Yes, one cup of tomato sauce is added to the pot with the chicken stock and seasonings.
Should the rice be toasted before boiling?
Yes, you should stir the rice into the chicken and butter/oil mixture for 1-2 minutes before adding the stock.
What type of onion is used in the salsa?
The salsa uses one small chopped white onion.
How many avocados are needed for the cream?
Two ripe avocados are required for the avocado cream component.
What are some suggested side dishes?
Any extra salsa and avocado cream can be served with plantains and corn chips.
How much butter is used for cooking?
The recipe uses two tablespoons of butter along with one tablespoon of olive oil.
What type of parsley should I buy?
The recipe recommends using fresh flat-leaf parsley.
How much garlic is in the avocado cream?
One garlic clove is blended into the avocado cream mixture.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes three drops of hot sauce in the salsa, but the spice level can be adjusted to your preference.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat a medium-sized pot over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter.
When do I add the salsa to the rice?
After the rice is fully cooked, you stir 1/2 cup of the fresh salsa into the chicken and rice mixture.
Should the pot be covered while the rice cooks?
Yes, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot once the liquid reaches a boil.
How much sour cream is in the avocado sauce?
The avocado cream uses one cup of sour cream.
How many tomatoes are needed?
Two tomatoes that have been seeded and chopped are used for the salsa.
What is the texture of the finished rice?
The rice should be cooked until it is tender but still slightly chewy.
How long should the dish rest after cooking?
The dish should rest for 5 minutes after you turn off the heat and stir in the salsa.
What size pot should I use?
A medium-sized pot is recommended for cooking the chicken and rice.
How much Sazon or fajita seasoning is needed?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of Sazon Goya or fajita seasoning mix.
Who is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the vibrant flavors of Rachael Ray.
How should the lime be prepared?
You will need the juice of half a lime for the salsa and the juice of the other half for the avocado cream.