CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AND RICE

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AND RICE image

Categories Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, minced
2 large tomatoes, diced large (or 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained)
1 cup long-grain white rice
lime wedges, for serving (optional)
chopped cilantro leaves, for serving (optional)

Steps:

In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken on both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Working in batches, brown chicken on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pot (if necessary, add a bit of water to release browned bits). Add garlic, cumin and chiles; cook until garlic is soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt and cook until tomatoes begin to break down and release their juices, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water and return chicken and any accumulated juices to pot. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook 25 minutes. Remove several pieces of chicken and stir in rice, making sure it is completely submerged in liquid. Replace chicken, cover, and cook until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 25 to 30 minutes more. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro if desired.