Meat with rice is one of the most beloved dishes in many cuisines around the world. This dish is simple, delicious, and can be adapted to different types of meat and seasonings. In this recipe, we will use chicken, but you can easily substitute the meat with pork, beef, or even turkey, depending on your preferences. Rice and meat combine perfectly, creating a meal that is rich in nutrients and flavor, and the preparation is simple and quick.
Ingredients:
- 500g of chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 300g of rice (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 carrots
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 tomato (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- 3 teaspoons of olive oil (or sunflower oil)
- 1.5 liters of chicken broth (or water with a bouillon cube)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon of thyme (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
- ½ lemon (juice)
Preparation:
1. Prepare the vegetables and meat:
- Start by preparing the vegetables. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Peel the carrots and cut them into rounds or small cubes, depending on your preference. Wash the red and green peppers, remove the seeds, and cut them into thin strips or small cubes. If you’re using a tomato, chop it into small cubes.
- Wash and dry the meat. If you’re using thighs, you can leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces. If you’re using chicken breasts, cut them into cubes or strips. Add some salt, pepper, and lemon juice to the meat and let it rest for a few minutes so the flavors can absorb.
2. Fry the meat:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meat and fry until it gets a nice golden-brown color on all sides. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of the meat pieces. Once the meat is well-fried, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
3. Prepare the vegetables:
- In the same oil (if needed, add a little more), fry the onion and garlic until they become translucent, about 3 minutes. Then, add the carrots, bell peppers, and tomato (if using). Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start releasing their juices.
4. Cook the rice:
- Add the rice to the vegetables and sauté it for about 2 minutes. This will help the rice absorb all the flavors. Then, add the spices: black pepper, paprika, oregano, dried parsley, and thyme. Stir everything well.
5. Add the liquid:
- Once you’ve sautéed the rice with the vegetables, add the chicken broth (or water with a bouillon cube) to the pot. The amount of liquid should be about 1.5 liters or enough to cover the rice by about 2 fingers. Add sugar, salt to taste, and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for about 10 minutes.
6. Add the meat and finish cooking:
- After the liquid starts boiling and the rice has softened a bit, return the meat to the pot. Cover the pot and cook for another 20-30 minutes on low heat, until the meat becomes tender and the rice is fully cooked. Occasionally check the dish and add more liquid if too much has evaporated.
7. Finishing the dish:
- Once the meat is cooked and the rice is tender, check the taste and add more salt or spices if needed. If you like, you can add a little fresh lemon juice to give the dish a refreshing final touch.
8. Serving:
- Serve this dish hot, along with some fresh seasonal vegetables or a salad of your choice. You can garnish the dish with some freshly chopped parsley or even some yogurt or sour cream on the side for added creaminess.
Tips:
- Meat variations: Besides chicken, you can use pork, beef, or even ground meat. For pork, cuts like pork shoulder or ribs work best. Beef can be used in smaller pieces or even roasted meat.
- Spices: If you want a dish with more intense flavors, you can add spices like cumin, turmeric, or yeast for the rice. Also, aromatic spices like cinnamon or bay leaves can give it a nice oriental touch.
- Greens: If you love greens, you can add some fresh spinach or kale at the end. This will increase the nutritional value of the dish and add a nice color.
- Vegan version: Instead of meat, you can use mushrooms (such as champignons or porcini) or tofu, and replace the broth with vegetable stock.
This dish is a perfect choice for family meals because it is nutritious, filling, and easy to prepare for several people. We hope you enjoy it!
