Arroz con Pollo Panameño

Name: Arroz con Pollo Panameño
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Panamanian
Ingredients: 1kg chicken pieces; 3 cups long-grain rice; 1 bottle beer; 3 cups chicken broth; 1 tbsp annatto paste; 1 onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup green olives; 2 tbsp capers; 1 cup peas; 1 tsp cumin; Salt, pepper; Cilantro for garnish

Arroz con Pollo (ah-ROHS kohn POH-yoh)

Panamanian Chicken Rice

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 496 kcal

A vibrant one-pot dish of chicken and rice cooked with annatto, beer, and sofrito, studded with olives and capers — Panama's festive rice centerpiece.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 34.0g

Carbs 54.0g

Fat 16.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large heavy pot with lid cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large serving platter

Garnishes: cilantro, sliced peppers

Accompaniments: salad, patacones, maduro

Ingredients

1kg chicken pieces
3 cups long-grain rice
1 bottle beer
3 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp annatto paste
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup green olives
2 tbsp capers
1 cup peas
1 tsp cumin
Salt, pepper
Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1
Season chicken with salt, pepper, cumin. Brown in a large pot. Remove.
2
Sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper until soft. Add annatto paste and stir.
3
Add rice, stir to coat. Pour in beer and broth. Add olives and capers.
4
Nestle chicken pieces on top. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce to low.
5
Cook 25 min without lifting lid. Add peas, cover 5 more min.
6
Fluff rice, garnish with cilantro. Serve family-style.

💡

Did You Know?

In Panama, the quality of a cook is often judged by their arroz con pollo — a dry, separated grain rice with perfect chicken is the gold standard.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large heavy pot with lid
cutting board

Garnishing

cilantro, sliced peppers

Accompaniments

salad, patacones, maduro

The Story Behind Arroz con Pollo Panameño

Arroz con pollo is Panama's festive rice dish, adapted from Spanish colonial cooking with distinctive Panamanian additions of annatto for color and local beer for depth. The olives and capers reveal the Spanish Mediterranean influence. It is the expected dish at birthday parties, Sunday lunches, and any gathering where one cook feeds many.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed sunday lunch, celebrations 📜 Origins: Spanish colonial era

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