KIRSTEN'S CUBAN CHICKEN AND RICE

Kirsten's Cuban Chicken and Rice image

I am half Cuban, and I remember my grandmother making this dish for us every time she came to visit. I have scoured the internet for different recipes, finally settling on this one that I have made my own. It is a spicier, warm-your-soul version that is full of flavor and a hit every time I make it!

Provided by LucyLoo224

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

2 bone-in chicken breast halves, cut in half widthwise
2 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
2 bone-in chicken legs, skin removed
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch crushed red pepper, or to taste
¼ cup olive oil, or more as needed
½ cup diced white onion
1 (1.41 ounce) package sazon seasoning
2 tablespoons sofrito
1 teaspoon minced garlic, or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon adobo seasoning
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 cups long-grain white rice
1 (32 ounce) carton low-sodium chicken broth
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
10 pimiento-stuffed green olives, drained and sliced

Steps:

Season both sides of the chicken pieces in salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper.
Heat olive oil in a wide nonstick pot over medium heat. Add chicken, and brown for 8 to 10 minutes per side, working in batches if necessary. Remove to a plate.
Add onion and saute until it just starts to turn brown, about 7 minutes. Add sazon, sofrito, garlic, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, thyme, adobo, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice and stir until all grains are coated with oil and spices. Return the chicken to the pan, then add chicken broth, chiles, and olives. Stir and bring to a boil.
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Cook, without lifting the lid, until all liquid is absorbed, rice is tender, and chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 492.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39.9 g, Cholesterol 117.7 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 43.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 1374.5 mg, Sugar 1.3 g