8 Person
15 Min
65 Min
80 Min
Arroz con Pollo is a Cuban dish of rice and chicken that is cooked together with fresh herbs and flavorful spices. In Cuba, it is prepared in every home as a comfort food or dinner party meal.
Arroz con Pollo is one of the most beloved traditional dishes of Cuba and a cornerstone of Cuban home cooking. As a one-pot meal combining rice and chicken, it reflects practical cooking traditions designed to feed families efficiently while maximizing flavor. The dish traces its roots to Spanish culinary influences, particularly rice-based meals introduced during colonial times, which were later adapted using local ingredients and Caribbean flavor profiles.
In Cuba, Arroz con Pollo is distinguished by its use of aromatics such as garlic, onions, peppers, bay leaf, cumin, and annatto, which give the dish its characteristic golden color and savory depth. It is commonly prepared for everyday family dinners as well as for gatherings and celebrations, making it both a comfort food and a festive dish. Over generations, Arroz con Pollo has become a symbol of Cuban hospitality and culinary identity, valued for its simplicity, warmth, and ability to bring people together around a shared meal.