Arroz Con Pollo was my mother’s signature dish for gatherings. I’ve made AIP because that is how I honor my culture while I heal. Growing up our house was always the family hub. Maybe because my mom of her other sisters was the only one who had more than one kid, and therefore an already bustling household… or because of her love of hosting, cooking, and entertaining. Whatever the reason, our house was the spot. All holidays and major events like baptisms, graduations, and birthdays were celebrated in our home. While all my aunts are talented cooks, each with their own signature dishes and areas of expertise, my mom always had her own flare, that magic touch. It’s what lead her to eventually open her own restaurant!
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Instant Pot Arroz Con Pollo = Rice with Chicken
Arroz Con Pollo is the traditional Caribbean and Spanish dish, it translates to Rice with Chicken, and that’s exactly what it is. First, you start with a base of sofrito, the root of all flavor! A mix of sauteed aromatics. Of course, I have to adjust my vegetables to fit into my dietary preferences. Bell pepper, onion, garlic and carrots are usually used. I omitted the bell pepper (because of nightshades) and added rhubarb instead. This was sort of a gamble, but I wanted something that would give it a red color, and a similar mouthfeel, plus I love the idea of the tart rhubarb and sweet carrots flavors commingling! Rhubarb’s prime season is April to June but it grows all summer. When the season is over, purchase it frozen for this recipe!You can totally make this stovetop in a big caldero, or heavy-bottomed pot… but c’mon the pressure cooker is where it’s at! It will cook in half the time and you don’t have to sit there watching it. But it’s up to you!
My mom’s famous Arroz Con Pollo a la Chorerra, which means, Saucy Chicken and Rice, was made rissotto style. It was tender and divine. Her secret ingredient was beer! Yup. One of my dad’s Heineken’s always found it’s way to the pot. Here I use Red Wine Vinegar instead of beer (gluten) and cooking wine (booze) to keep this dish Whole30 compliant and AIP (Autoimmune Protocol). The recipe makes a pretty big batch, about 8 portions! If you’re not feeding a crowd, it’s perfect for your batch cook/meal prep nights! A savory, saucy, simple dish that will always be a crowd favorite.
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Instant Pot Arroz Con Pollo (AIP, Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Latin
Description
A pressure cooker, low carb and AIP chicken and rice!
Ingredients
- 3lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 slices bacon (sugar-free, nightshade free)
- 1 sweet onion
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 stalk rhubarb (about a cup diced, optional)
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp (scant) celery salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried herb blend (compliant Italian seasoning: oregano, thyme, rosemary)
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 bags frozen cauliflower rice (12oz each)
- 1 cup bone broth
Optional:
- Steamed Asparagus
Instructions
- Heat your pressure cooker on saute mode. While it heats, dice the bacon, onion, carrots, garlic and rhubarb. When it comes to temperature add in the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Then add in the diced vegetables and bay leaves. Stir well.
- Once vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes, add in the chicken thighs and cook, stirring often until lightly browned. Add in all of the seasonings, stir well. Add in the vinegar and olive oil. Close the lid and set to poultry mode (high for 20 minutes).
- Once it has finished cooking and the pressure has released, open the lid and stir in the cauliflower rice and bone broth. Close the lid and set to cook on low for 3 minutes. Release the pressure manually, open the lid and stir well, breaking up the chicken so it shreds a little. Taste, adjust salt if needed and serve! If you would like it drier, set your pressure cooker to saute and reduce the liquid, but I like to make it like my moms, nice and saucy!
- Garnish with steamed asparagus. If you’re not on a Whole30 or AIP, you can use peas or roasted bell pepper strips, which is the traditional way to garnish this dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 423
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 48g
Keywords: pressure cooker chicken and rice
Cristin says
Another delicious recipe from you! I usually get sick of leftovers but not with this dish. Will be added to my rotation. Thank you!
★★★★★
Cristin says
If I cut this recipe in half, would I need to adjust the time for the instant pot?
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Cristin, no, cook it the same time 🙂
Darcy says
Hello!
This recipe looks amazing! My husband and I are doing whole 30 and really miss our Spanish food. I want to try this recipe but am concerned with ending up with a bit of a soup instead of a proper rice replacement dish. Is there anything I can do to prevent ending up with a lot of liquid? Please let me know when you can. Thank you so much!! Can’t wait to try it!!!
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Darcy, it’s not soupy, you can always reduce/ simmer at the end if you feel there is too much liquid. As I mentioned in the post, this cauliflower rice recipe is more like risotto, saucier than traditional arroz con pollo, because it’s how my mom made it.
Kristen says
This was amazing! I wasn’t able to find rhubarb so I used my leftover radishes and it was great! Also I ended up with a ton of liquid at the end so it was basically soup and I loved it! Cristina’s recipes are always a hit for me and I don’t think I’d make it through AIP without her books and blog.
★★★★★
Cristina says
Thank you Kristen!
Annette says
Delicious! I added in some peas at the very end. I feel like the spices in the recipe could be swapped to taste like the Mexican pollo con arroz I grew up eating — yum! Thanks for this delicious recipe.
★★★★★
Cristina says
I’m sure they can! So glad you liked it!
Mary says
I made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! 5 stars from me. Last week, I made her coconut lime spiced meatballs. Another 5 stars from me on that one. Cristina sure has a way with flavors! I might have to be like Julie & Julia and make my way through both of her cookbooks one recipe at a time. She doesn’t disappoint. Photos are beautiful. If she does a third cookbook, she can count me in on buying it. Thank you, Cristina, for sharing your immense cooking talent with average cooks like me! You are a blessing who makes me look better than I am.
★★★★★
Cristina says
Thank you SOOO MUCH
Sian Hale says
This recipe has become a family favorite! I make it often.
★★★★★
Cristina says
Thank you!
Tracy says
Making this now and it smells delish! Question – quick or natural pressure release after the chicken cooks?
Cristina says
I do the natural release but if you’re in a rush you can do quick
Tara says
This recipe is so delicious and very kid friendly too! My kids take it in their thermos for lunch at school. Highly recommend!!
Sherene says
My family loves all of your recipes! We love your cookbook! We are blown away at how everything we make from your cookbook has so much flavor. We never feel like we are missing out on flavor because we have to eat AIP. I have highly recommended your website and cookbook to all who are looking to do an elimination diet. Thank you so much for all of your countless hours of work.
We live in Michigan and rhubarb isn’t something we are able to get fresh in the winter. What would you suggest, because this recipe looks fabulous?
Cristina says
Thank you!! Try radishes instead 🙂
Elizabeth Grierson says
Well this recipe is delicious ! No surprise with Cristina but you definitely need to make this. I was initially worried about the amount of chicken but its a big batch so you need the chicken. This recipe will be on repeat at my house. Thanks for you endless supply of great recipes. I have yet to have one not turn out!
★★★★★
Cristina says
Thank you so so much!!
Annie says
Can you make this in a slow cooker? If so, how long and what temp? Also thank you for the keto aip recipes! You’re making this lifestyle easier with your good food recipes!
Cristina says
Yes! High for 4 -6 hours and THANK YOU!!!!!