Perfect for busy weeknights, transport your taste buds around the world with this easy, healthy and delicious slow cooker Arroz Con Pollo.

Slow cooker or Instant Pot dinners are my jam all year round, but I especially like using my slow cooker during the warmer months when it’s too hot to turn on the oven or stand next to a hot stove for an hour. I love making this Slow Cooker Arroz Con Pollo as it covers all the bases for one meal at once. Balanced, filling and delicious, this dish is easy to put together early in the day and then save for later!
Ingredients
- Chicken breast: I like to use split chicken breasts for this dish as the bone and skin just adds more flavor, but you can use boneless breasts or thighs as well.
- Kosher Salt: The larger crystals of kosher salt help to stick to the chicken and enhance its natural flavor.
- Onion: A white onion adds a mild onion flavor that most people, even children, will enjoy.
- Red pepper: Diced red bell peppers add a little sweetness, but you can use a green or yellow bell pepper too.
- Rice: I used a short-grain white rice, but you can adapt this dish to use whatever rice you have.
- Tomato sauce: Slightly tart and sweet, it adds to the sauce for chicken and rice.
- Chicken soup: Makes the rice and the dish tastier as it is the liquid that the rice absorbs as it cooks.
- lime juice: Adds a bright, acidic flavor that pairs well with the spices.
- Spices: Oregano, garlic powder, cumin, turmeric and pepper all help bring a rich depth of traditional flavor to the dish.
- Bay leaf: While you don’t eat the bay leaf, it adds another layer of depth to the dish’s flavors.
- Peas: Doesn’t add much flavor but helps make this dish nutritionally balanced.
- Green olives: After the dish is cooked, they add a bright, tart taste.
- Coriander: Fresh cilantro, added when serving, helps brighten the dish.
How to make Slow Cooker Arroz con Pollo?

Start your slow cooker arroz con pollo by seasoning your chicken breasts with kosher salt and pepper.

Then brown your chicken on both sides on the stovetop. This step is not required, but adds extra flavor.

Once your chicken is seared, place it in your slow cooker.

Then add the diced onion and red pepper.

Then pour the tomato sauce over it.

Next, add your rinsed uncooked rice.

And the chicken broth.

Then add the fresh lime juice.

Next, sprinkle in the spices. Add the dried oregano, garlic powder, and cumin.

Then add turmeric, and if you have it, you can also add saffron and cayenne pepper for a bit more kick.

Then add the bay leaf before stirring well. Place the lid on the slow cooker and then cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.

Once cooked, stir in the peas until warmed through.

Remove the chicken and then add the green olives.

Then you can either cut your chicken into chunks or shred it and discard the bones.

Add the chicken back to the rice and serve garnished with fresh coriander and a little fresh lime juice, if you like. Enjoy your slow cooker arroz con pollo!
Frequently asked Questions:
What does Arroz con Pollo mean?
Arroz con pollo is simply chicken and rice in Spanish.
What kind of rice do you use for Arroz con Pollo?
Typically, a long or short grain white rice is used for this dish.
Why is my Arroz con Pollo soggy?
If it gets mushy, it may be overcooked or you added too much liquid.

More slow cooker dishes
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Delicious the day you make it or the next day as leftovers, you and the whole family will enjoy my Slow Cooker Arroz Con Pollo.
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Slow cooker Arroz Con Pollo
Easy to make and great for using up ingredients you probably already have on hand like tomato sauce, rice, chicken and frozen peas.
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Servings:
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If your slow cooker has a stovetop safe insert, set it to medium-high and add oil to the insert. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sear on both sides until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. (Hint: You can also do this in a stockpot.)
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Turn off the heat and add the next 13 ingredients to the slow cooker (onion to cayenne pepper). Stir well and heat on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
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Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the peas 10 minutes before serving.
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Garnish with green olives and fresh parsley to serve.
Calories: 393kcalCarbohydrates: 38.7GProtein: 29.2GFat: 14.4GSaturated Fatty Acids: 3GPolyunsaturated fat: 11.4GCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 840mgFiber: 6.8GSugar: 9.8G