Puerto Rican Chicken

Mary Leverington's Note:

My daughter's former boyfriend fixed this dish. I modified it and tried (hopefully) to simplify the directions. There's a lot of preparation, but the results are well worth the trouble. It's a garlic lovers dream, but others may want to cut down on the garlic. I've even used more.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 (3 lb) chicken

Group B

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 10 cloves garlic , crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano , crushed
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vinegar or 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Group C

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ounce salt pork , diced
• 2 ounces lean cured ham , diced

Group D

• 1 onion , peeled and quartered
• 1 green bell pepper , seeded
• 3 sweet green chili peppers , seeded and minced
• 1 large tomato , quartered
• 6 fresh cilantro leaves

Group E

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 18 pimento stuffed olives , left whole
• 3 teaspoons capers
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Group F

• 2 cups rice
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth or 3 ½ cups water (OR 1 12-oz. can of beer and 2 cups of water or broth)

Group G

• 1 (17 ounce) can baby green peas , drained
• 1 (4 ounce) jar pimientos , chopped

Directions:

1. Wash chicken well and dry with paper towel.
2. Cut into pieces, dividing each breast section and back into two pieces.
3. Coat chicken pieces in olive oil.
4. Mix the seasonings in Group B together and rub into chicken.
5. Set in refrigerator overnight.
6. In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, heat olive oil from Group C on high and rapidly brown salt pork and ham.
7. Reduce heat to medium high and brown chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Reduce heat to medium low.
9. Combine ingredients from Group D in a food processor; pulse on and off 8-10 times--don't liquify; just mince.
10. Add these ingredients to the pot and saute for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. Add ingredients in Group E to the pot and mix over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
12. Add the rice from Group F and stir in.
13. Add the liquid to the pot and mix well.
14. Reduce heat; cover; simmer 10 minutes.
15. Stir up rice from below; cover, simmer 10 more minutes.
16. Remove to large platter and garnish with peas and pimientos.

Reviews

[Chef #327014]

Suggestion- Substitute premade 'Sofrito' for Group D.

[Chef #225047]

This recipe is excellent. I am Puerto Rican & it is the genuine thing. Also, it had been clarified & simplified for everyday use. Thanks for posting it.