ARROZ CON POLLO VERDE

Arroz con Pollo Verde image

Provided by Kay Chun

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups cilantro leaves and tender stems
3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as safflower or canola oil
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each thigh halved lengthwise
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups basmati rice
1 (15-ounce) can hominy, rinsed and drained
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons jarred ají amarillo paste
1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and thinly sliced
1/2 cup thawed frozen peas
Salsa criolla or hot sauce, for serving

Steps:

In a blender, combine cilantro and 6 tablespoons of water, and purée until smooth. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add half the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook, turning halfway, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, and repeat with remaining chicken.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the onion to the empty pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cumin until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice and hominy, season with salt and pepper, and stir until well combined, 30 seconds. Add broth, aji amarillo paste, bell pepper and reserved cilantro purée, scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits.
Nestle the chicken with any accumulated juices into the pot, and bring to a boil over high. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
Sprinkle with peas, then cover and steam for 3 minutes. Turn off heat, and fluff rice with a fork. Divide arroz con pollo in bowls and serve with salsa criolla or hot sauce.