Rice with chicken: easy and quick recipe

Rice with chicken is a traditional homemade dish that is economical, nutritious, and suitable for sharing. This version combines browned chicken, a vegetable sofrito, white rice, chicken broth, corn, and peas in one pot.

Homemade chicken rice

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces, or your preferred chicken pieces
• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Onion and peppers for the sofrito
• Fresh peas
• Corn
• Olives, optional
• A small amount of chorizo, optional
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for the sofrito
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon yellow food coloring

Preparation

1. Prepare a sofrito with onion, peppers, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Once softened, transfer it to a separate container.
2. Add a little more olive oil to the same pot and brown the chicken pieces on every side.
3. Return the sofrito to the pot and mix it with the chicken.
4. Add the rice and stir well. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the salt, pepper, yellow coloring, corn, and peas.
5. Stir so the chicken, rice, and vegetables are evenly distributed. Bring the mixture to a boil without disturbing it unnecessarily.
6. When most of the liquid has been absorbed, reduce the heat to its lowest setting and cover the pot. Cook for 20 minutes.
7. Check the rice. When the grains are tender, remove the pot from the heat and serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

Recipe questions and variations

Which chicken pieces work best?

A whole chicken cut into pieces provides a mixture of white and dark meat. Boneless chicken breast is convenient for children or anyone who prefers not to deal with bones. Wings, thighs, and drumsticks also work well.

Which vegetables can be added?

The recipe uses onion, peppers, peas, olives, and corn, but it is easy to adapt. Possible additions include mushrooms, a small handful of cooked chickpeas, artichokes, green beans, piquillo peppers, or leeks. Carrots may add noticeable sweetness.

Is chicken broth necessary?

Chicken broth is not mandatory, but it gives the rice considerably more flavor than water. Homemade stock or a good-quality natural broth is recommended.

Can chorizo be included?

Yes. A small quantity of chorizo adds depth without overpowering the chicken and vegetables. Sausage can be used as a child-friendly variation.

What cookware should be used?

A paella pan is ideal because its broad surface cooks the rice evenly. A large pot or clay pot also works. Avoid a shallow skillet unless it is both wide and deep enough to hold the rice, broth, chicken, and vegetables.

Serving notes

The dish can vary considerably by region and available ingredients. In Spain, versions may resemble paella and sometimes include rabbit, although chicken rice and Valencian paella are not necessarily the same dish.