How to Make Arroz Con Pollo Panamanian Style
Don’t you love a great chicken and rice recipe? I definitely do! Especially for lunch or dinner! Haha! Anyway, one thing I love about arroz con pollo Panamanian style is that it’s not too difficult to make and it’s very filling, too! AND, it’s very versatile! You can eat it as a main meal or a side dish. You choose! Anyway, what I have for you today are several recipes for how to make Panamanian rice and chicken that I KNOW you’ll enjoy! Keep reading to learn more!
(There may be affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more).
What Is Arroz Con Pollo?
The literal translation of arroz con pollo is “chicken with rice”. It’s a SUPER common one-pot dish that is popular in many different countries in Latin America.
What makes arroz con pollo distinct is the use of certain ingredients that is typical to a certain country’s cuisine.
For example, I make a Costa Rican-style arroz con pollo recipe that my Costa Rican aunt taught me the last time I was there. If you’re interested in trying this recipe, feel free to click here.
What makes the Costa Rican chicken and rice recipe different from other Latin American arroz con pollo recipes is the use of a savory Costa Rican sauce called Salsa Lizano (which you can learn more about on my Costa Rican-style chicken and rice recipe page.
But anyway, the main topic for today is Panamanian-style arroz con pollo (known in Spanish as arroz con pollo panameño).
Now, what makes arroz con pollo from Panama so distinct is the use of manzanilla olives and peppers. Also, some families use saffron or achiote for color.
Ingredients for Arroz Con Pollo Panamanian Style
These are some of the most basic ingredients that many Panamanian arroz con pollo recipes require. Keep in mind that each family has its own unique family recipe for how to make their Panamanian chicken and rice dish:
- Chicken
- Cooking oil
- Rice
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Green bell pepper
- Red bell pepper
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Tomatoes (stewed, crushed, or diced)
- Green olives with pimiento
- Capers
- Peas
- Diced carrots
- Parsley
- Salt
Good Latin American Seasonings for Chicken and Rice Recipe
Any of the following popular Latin American products go well to season your chicken or arroz con pollo dish:
How to Make Arroz Con Pollo Panamanian Style
Although each family makes them differently, these are the basic steps for making some amazing Panamanian chicken and rice.
- Season the chicken pieces.
- Add the chicken to a large pot with warmed cooking oil.
- Brown the chicken by turning the pieces over every now and then to keep them from burning or sticking to the pot.
- Take the chicken pieces out of the pot and set them aside.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, and bell peppers to the pot (add more cooking oil if necessary).
- Mix and let cook.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped tomatoes.
- Mix again.
- Then, add water to the pot.
- Boil the water.
- Add the browned chicken back to the pot.
- Cook the chicken and vegetables for about 20-30 minutes or until fully done.
- Turn the heat off and remove the cooked chicken (reseve the cooking water).
- Set the chicken aside.
- In another pot, add cooking oil and rinsed rice.
- Stir.
- Toast the rice for a few minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, olives, and peas.
- Mix.
- Add some of the reserved water to the rice (enough to cover it).
- Cook the rice (about 20-30 minutes).
- While the rice is cooking, shred the chicken you had set aside earlier using two forks or your fingers.
- Once the rice is done cooking, add the shredded chicken to the rice.
- Mix everything together.
- Serve.
- Add Panamanian hot sauce to your serving (optional).
- Eat!
Panamanian Arroz Con Pollo Recipe #1
Ok, so I understand that some of you, like me, need a visual when it comes to how to cook certain recipes.
For this reason, the first recipe for chicken with rice Panamanian style that I have to share with you is a YouTube video recipe by G&P Kitchen.
Keep in mind that, as mentioned above, each family makes their Panamanian-style recipe. So, this one may be different than the others below.
For example, this recipe uses Goya sazon seasoning. This seasoning is the same one that many people use in Puerto Rican recipes (I use it in my dad’s Puerto Rican pastelillos recipe).
Also, YouTuber Tropical Panama uses it in their Panamanian empanada recipe.
(If you’re interested in learning more about this recipe, you can read up on it on my Panamanian empanadas page).
Anyway, back to the video by G&P Kitchen showing us how to make arroz con pollo Panamanian style.
Ingredients for Panamanian Rice with Chicken Recipe from Video Above
In case you missed it, here are the ingredients for the recipe in the video above:
- Chicken
- Salt
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Rice
- Water
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Green olives
- Peas
- Carrots
- Goya sazon seasoning
- Chicken bouillon cube
Recipe for Arroz Con Pollo from Panama #2
Now, if you’re looking for a written Panamanian-style arroz con pollo recipe, I recommend you check this one out on Food52.com.
What I find unique about this Panamanian family recipe is that they add a bottle of beer to their recipe to give their chicken and rice an earthy flavor.
Yes, you read that right. Beer.
Anyway, this recipe serves 6 – 8 people and it takes about 1 hour, and 15 minutes to cook (with an extra 20 minutes of prep time).
What I like about this recipe is that it gives a VERY detailed step-by-step guide for how to cook this traditional Panamanian recipe.
I highly recommend you check it out for yourself!
Plus, the story behind this family recipe is super interesting, in my opinion.
Related Articles:
- Chicheme – Popular Panamanian Hominy Corn Drink
- How to Make Panamanian Empanadas
- How to Make Panamanian Tortillas Recipe
- Hojalde – Panamanian Fried Bread Recipes
Recipe from Panama for Arroz Con Pollo #3
Ok, so I am SUPER excited to show you this recipe by Jordan Bailey because they use a lot of GREAT seasonings in their arroz con pollo recipe.
And, remember how I said previously that each Panamanian family makes its own unique recipe?
Well, this Panamanian family uses whole drumsticks (or chicken wings). In other words, they DO NOT shred their chicken like the other recipes above do.
For your convenience, here are some of the ingredients that this YouTuber uses in their Panamanian arroz con pollo recipe:
- Goya sazon seasonings
- Badia complete seasoning
- Adobo all-purpose seasoning
- Goya Spanish olives
- Capers
And now for the video:
Recipe for Panama’s Arroz Con Pollo #4
Ok, now for another written recipe that you can print out.
Did you know that some Panamanian families bake their arroz con pollo dish?
Anyway, here is a HIGHLY rated recipe for arroz con pollo that’s SUPER easy to make.
Also, if you look through the comments you’ll see a lot of people say this chicken and rice recipe from Panama tastes “just like home”.
What to Serve With Arroz Con Pollo
Panamanian Arroz Con Pollo goes well with any of the following Latin American foods:
- Sweet fried plantains
- Green salad
- Beans
- Panamanian hot sauce
Frequently Asked Questions for Arroz Con Pollo Panama Style Recipe
Here are some FAQs and answers related to Panamanian chicken and rice recipes.
What do you need to make arroz con pollo?
Most arroz con pollo recipes require the following ingredients:
- Chicken
- Salt
- Rice
- Water
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Peas
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
Where does arroz con pollo originate?
The arroz con pollo origin is either in Spain or Puerto Rico; it’s up for debate. However, by looking at the different aspects of arroz con pollo, a lot of historians believe arroz con pollo originated in Spain.
For example, Spain’s arroz con pollo is very similar to their pilaf dish, called paella.
What is the nutrition for arroz con pollo?
Although each arroz con pollo family recipe is different, these are the nutrition facts for the recipe that is offered by the US Department of Agriculture:
- Calories: 556
- Total fat: 33 grams
- Sodium: 145 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
Final Thoughts
I seriously hope you consider making one of these delicious arroz con pollo recipes from Panama. They’re savory and very filling and go well with sweet fried plantains, beans, or a green salad. You should definitely consider trying them!
What are your thoughts on Panamanian chicken and rice? Have you ever had it? Please let me know in the comments below!
Recommended Products:
