Try this Mexican-inspired chicken and rice dish (arroz con pollo) when you want to try something different but know that the kids will eat it too. Packed full of veggies, it’s a one-pan dinner that will please everyone.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 3 chicken drumsticks
• 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely sliced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, peeled, and smashed
• half a teaspoon ground cumin
• 400g tin diced tomatoes
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 and a half teaspoon salt
• ground pepper
• half a cup frozen peas

Method

Bring a large, heavy-based frying pan to medium heat and then add oil.

Brown chicken pieces in batches, remove and set aside.

Reduce heat, add onion, and carrot and cook until soft, about three minutes. Add tomatoes, stock, cumin, rice, salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Place chicken pieces back in the pan neatly, and cover allowing to simmer on low heat.

Once the rice is nearly ready – about 10 minutes – turn off heat, sprinkle with peas, and cover tightly. Do not open rice for at least another 20 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Notes

• You can add any vegetables you would like to this instead of peas, such as green beans, zucchini or corn.
• This dish is called Arroz con pollo in Mexican, and my version is based on my mums awesome Mexican rice. I love it so much I wanted to make a main dish out of it. When I was little I used to open the rice after the heat was turned off and get in HUGE trouble! I am not sure what happens but according to Lucy, DONT do it!
• You can sprinkle grated tasty cheese over this too for kids.
• You can also serve with slices of avocado.
• This recipe was created by Kristine Duran-Thiessen for Kidspot

Serving Suggestions

Note