National Dish of Arroz con Pollo

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.

Servings

8 Person

Prep Time

15 Min

Cook Time

65 Min

Total Time

80 Min

8
Chicken legs or thighs
2 cups
Rice
1 large
Onion (diced)
1 ½ tsps.
Salt
½ tsp.
Black pepper
4
Cloves garlic (crushed)
2 tsps.
Oregano
1 (8 oz.) can
Tomato sauce
2 cups
Chicken broth
2 tsps.
Cumin powder
1
bay leaf
½ cup
Frozen green peas
1 large
Red pepper (diced)
½ cup
Olive oil
½ tsp.
Annatto condiment

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.

Directions for Making Arroz con Pollo

  1. Season the chicken with adequate salt, black pepper, and cumin powder.
  2. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and lightly fry the seasoned pieces of chicken until brown on all sides.
  3. Set the cooked chicken aside but retain the oil, keep the heat on and sauté the onion and red pepper.
  4. When the onion is tender, add the crushed garlic and stir.
  5. Sauté together for two minutes.
  6. Place the fried chicken back into the pan.
  7. Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce.
  8. Stir in the annatto, bay leaf, and cumin powder.
  9. Season with salt and pepper.
  10. Rinse the rice in water and then add to the pan.
  11. Stir together so that the rice becomes submerged in the liquid.
  12. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it cook.
  13. Stir occasionally and when most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice, cover the pan and let it simmer for about thirty (0:30) to forty-five (0:45) minutes or until the rice is tender.
  14. Five minutes before it is fully cooked, stir in the frozen peas. Serve hot.

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.

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