I moved to Miami, Florida many decades ago. I explored the beaches, the Keys, and tried lots of different foods. I remember when we had a pot-luck party at work, I had my first taste of Arroz Con Pollo in the Cuban style. I fell in love. There are many variations of this dish as it is a staple in South America and the Caribbean and each group interprets it in their own way. I would never say this is the only way to make it or even the best way, but it the way I love this yummy one-pot meal.
Cuban dishes usually call for Cuban sazon completa which literally means Cuban complete spices. It is a homemade mixture of spices and can be found as a spice in Hispanic groceries. (Amazon also has several brands.) Don’t worry if you can’t buy it, it is so easy to make with mostly common herbs and spices. If you make it your self, you can be certain you are not getting MSG and other obnoxious chemicals. The recipe below makes about 9 tablespoons of Sazon. If you only want to make enough for one dish, divide each ingredient by 1/3.
Cuban Sazon Completa
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tbsp ground anatto seeds (achiote) or turmeric
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried cilantro
- 1 tbsp onion powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl
- Mix well
- Store in airtight container
Cuban Arroz con Pollo
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lb bone in chicken cut in pieces,
- 3 tbsp Cuban Sazon Completa Seasoning
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1 cup light beer
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix flour and 1 1/2 tablespoons Sazon completa
- Mix well
- Toss chicken pieces in flour mix and coat well
- In large dutch oven or saute pan add oil and heat on medium high
- Place chicken pieces in oil and brown (about 7 to 10 minutes)
- Remove chicken to a plate
- In same pan sauté onion and bell pepper on medium heat until onions become translucent
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
- Mix in bay leaf and tomato paste with 1 1/2 tablespoons of sazon
- Add rice, chicken broth, and beer to pan and bring to a boil
- Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and cook for 25 minutes
- Uncover pan and mix well
- Add frozen peas and mix again
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes
- Uncover and taste rice to see if tender
- If rice is not tender, cover and cook for another 5 minutes
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Enjoy!
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It looks delicious and it looks just like our local “Nasi Briyani” with chicken.
This looks really good, Carol. And thanks for the recipe on how to make the spice mixture — I have all that in my pantry and probably later this week I will have a container of the mixed-up mixture! It looks delicious!
I think you’ll enjoy it – hope you have a great Monday!
…looks nice and spicy.
Looks good! I can’t wait to try this one.
I think you’ll like it!
Hi Carol. I pinned this recipe. I remember I used to make a version PR style. My mother used to make it but I stopped making it because the sofrito contained msg. So excited to have the spice recipe as well. Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday.
thanks for the pin Michele – I think it’s healthier and cheaper to make your own spice blend.
Oh, yum!!! This recipe is definitely a keeper. The last time I was in Miami was about a decade ago. My son and I traveled down to do the Miami marathon. We ate every breakfast at a little Cuban hole-in-the-wall place and treated ourselves to a fancy Cuban dinner in Miami Beach one night. Delicious!
I agree – the food will pack weight on if eaten all the time but it’s so good!
This sounds so delicious! I’d never heard of the Cuban seasoning, but it sounds like something I’ll find amazing. #MMBC
It is used in all Cuban dishes and it makes yummy food!
That looks delicious! I make lots of my own spice mixes (like taco seasoning) and keep them in mini mason jars in my pantry. I can’t wait to try this. Pinned.
thanks for the pin!
oooh that looks and sounds so tasty. It’s great that you have given the ingredients for the spice mix too.
I’m so glad you like it – hope your have a great day!
Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous recipe for the Sazon spice blend. I already have everything on hand to make it!
it really does food special.
No sé si habrás probado alguna vez la paella de arroz es como más me gusta a mí. Hay paella de carne, paella de marisco y la última variedad es paella mixta con carne y marisco que es la que hago yo. Esto se hace en España y la denominan paella Valenciana, aunque se hace en muchas comunidades de España. Yo soy de Andalucía y también se hace mucho aquí.
Yes I have enjoyed paella – and I loved the flavor! Thanks for the visit!
Looks yummy, Carol!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and by letting me know that you did by leaving such a sweet comment!!
Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hug
Deb
thanks for your sweet words – say Debbie, why don’t you enter my giveaway for wall art? Just enter your email address and then click to visit my Facebook page. I’d love for a friend to win!
Carol, I’m just bookmarking everything on your blog today )))! I do have a recipe for Arroz Con Pollo and we enjoy it, but I didn’t know about the special spice mixture! I’m so happy to have that! Thank you. Can’t wait to make and use it.
The spice mix is really what makes Cuban food Cuban. I’m glad you like it!
Yum. Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos.