One-Pot Adobo Chicken and Rice Recipe
A flavorful and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with aromatic spices, smoky chipotle, and tangy apple cider vinegar, combined with perfectly cooked white rice and nutritious Tuscan kale. This recipe offers a simple, hearty dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Filipino-American fusion
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 6)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp. ground cumin, divided
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika, divided
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 c. long-grain white rice
- 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1/4 c. adobo sauce
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
Vegetables
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, ribs and stems removed, chopped
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Ensure each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Toast Rice: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the long-grain white rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir until it has mostly evaporated, about 1 minute.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Stir in the chopped chipotle chiles, 1/4 cup adobo sauce, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and the remaining ½ teaspoon each of smoked paprika and ground cumin. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet.
- Simmer to Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Add Kale and Finish: Remove the chicken thighs and transfer them to a clean plate. Stir the chopped Tuscan kale into the rice mixture until wilted and tender.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet atop the kale and rice mixture. Serve warm directly from the skillet for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Be sure to use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid dryness.
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of chipotle chiles and adobo sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish can be garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for added brightness.
Keywords: adobo chicken, one-pot meal, chicken and rice, chipotle, Tuscan kale, easy dinner, stovetop recipe