My mom makes the best Puerto Rican chicken and rice, also called arroz con pollo, in one pan. It has homemade chicken sofrito seasoned with adobo and savory rice. This comforting dish is easy to make and the perfect nourishing weeknight meal. You’ll make this recipe again and again!.
All my life I’ve loved my Mom’s rice and beans. As most of you know, my mom is fully Puerto Rican and so are my grandparents. When I was young, we basically lived off rice and beans. Don’t get me wrong, my mom made hundreds of recipes, but that was the one I remembered the most.
After many years, I learned that cooking traditional foods was a great way to connect with your roots, feel nostalgic, and remember the good times you had with your family.
This Puerto Rican chicken and rice recipe is just one of those comforting, nostalgic ones that I come back to time and time again. I love this recipe because everything is made in one pan, is easy to cook, surprises people with its unique, delicious flavor, and is perfect for meal prep. Plus, it’s Episode 6 of my Good Mood Food YouTube series. You can watch it HERE!
Now it’s important to remember that everyone’s version of arroz con pollo is different — the great part about cooking is that you can really make it your own. This is our take on it, and one I know you’re going to love!
Chicken and rice is a classic meal enjoyed around the world. But how exactly do you say this tasty combination in Spanish? As a beginner Spanish speaker, learning simple culinary phrases can greatly improve your conversational abilities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various ways to say “chicken and rice” in Spanish, along with examples, tips, and regional variations.
The Most Common Ways to Say Chicken and Rice
The straightforward translation of “chicken and rice” in Spanish is
- Pollo y arroz
This phrases literally means “chicken and rice.” It’s a simple, universal phrase that will be understood in any Spanish-speaking country.
Another very common way to express this dish is:
- Arroz con pollo
This flipping of the word order translates to “rice with chicken.” It’s frequently used across Latin America, especially in Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Less Formal Options
When you’re with friends or family, you might want to use more casual words and phrases, such as
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Pollo con arroz
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Pollo y arroce pa’lla
The first option just flips the word order from the formal “arroz con pollo.” The second incorporates slang and regional dialect from the Caribbean. It adds a fun, laidback touch!
Important Regional Variations
While “pollo y arroz” can be used anywhere, it’s important to understand dialectal differences across countries. Here are some key phrases to know
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In Spain, the basics like “pollo y arroz” or “arroz con pollo” are perfectly fine.
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In Mexico and Central America, “arroz con pollo” is very prevalent.
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In the Caribbean, listen for “pollo y arroce pa’lla” or similar informal variations.
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In South America, both “pollo con arroz” and “arroz con pollo” are widely used.
Examples in Conversations
One of the best ways to get better at these phrases is to use them in everyday conversations, like
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Friend: ¿Qué cocinamos para la cena? (What should we cook for dinner?)
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You: ¿Qué tal pollo con arroz? (How about chicken and rice?)
Or at a restaurant:
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You: ¿Cuáles son las especialidades? (What are your specialties?)
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Waiter: Nuestra especialidad es el arroz con pollo. (Our specialty is chicken and rice.)
Tips for Proper Pronunciation
To pronounce these words correctly, keep these tips in mind:
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Pollo is pronounced “POY-yoh”
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Arroz is pronounced “ah-ROHS”
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Stress the syllables in capital letters for proper intonation
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Listen to native audio recordings to match pronunciation
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Practice out loud to train your mouth and ears
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to confidently order, discuss, and enjoy delicious chicken and rice in Spanish!
The Benefits of Learning Simple Phrases
Conquering basic food vocabulary in Spanish provides many advantages:
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Improves conversational fluency rapidly
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Allows you to navigate menus and order at restaurants
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Helps you build relationships and connections over shared meals
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Gives you confidence to travel and immerse yourself in new cultures
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Opens doors to learn about regional dishes and flavors
So don’t be intimidated by Spanish cuisine. With useful phrases like the different ways to say “chicken and rice,” you’ll be able to eat your way around the Spanish-speaking world with ease.
Putting It All Together
Whether you’re dining with new Colombian friends or ordering arroz con pollo in Spain, you now have the tools to express this tasty dish correctly. Here are some final tips:
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Familiarize yourself with local ingredients, preparations, and vocabulary.
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Pay attention to regional dialectical differences. What’s said in Mexico may sound different than the Dominican Republic.
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Practice conversational Spanish regularly to improve fluency.
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Immerse yourself in the culture by cooking authentic recipes at home.
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Have fun discovering new flavors, languages, and friendships over delicious chicken and rice!
So now you know the many excellent ways to say “chicken and rice” in Spanish. With this handy beginner guide, you’ll gain confidence in Spanish cuisine conversations. ¡Buen provecho!
Serving & storing tips
- This arroz con pollo recipe is great for feeding a lot of people because it’s easy to double it.
- To store: Just put away any extra chicken. This recipe is perfect for meal prep!.
How to make one pan arroz con pollo
- Marinate your chicken. To begin, put the chicken in a bowl and add the adobo spices and olive oil. Put a lid on top and let the chicken sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Brown the chicken. Next, add olive oil to a large skillet and brown the chicken. Next, move the chicken to a plate.
- Make the sofrito. The jalapeño, green pepper, onion, cilantro, and garlic should all be cooked in the same pan. While the spices are still hot, add the tomato sauce and water and stir them in.
- Add the rice. Heat the mixture until it starts to bubble. Then add the rice, peas, and olives (if using). Add your browned chicken on top.
- Simmer & serve. Turn down the heat, cover the pan, and let everything cook slowly until the rice is fluffy. Add cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top, and serve!
SPANISH CHICKEN AND RICE | One-Pot Dinner Meal
FAQ
How to order chicken and rice in Spanish?
Arroz Con Pollo (Cheesy Chicken and Rice)
How do you say chicken and rice?
2 syllables: “CHIK” + “uhn uhnd RYS”
How do you say arroz con pollo in Spanish?
In Spanish, you say “Arroz con pollo” as “ah-ROHZ kohn POH-yoh,” where the “z” at the end of “arroz” sounds like a “th.”