Name: Arroz con Pollo
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), rinsed and patted dry; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped; 3 jarred piquillo peppers, sealed and chopped, or 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped; 3 garlic cloves, chopped; 2 Roma (plum) tomatoes, halved, seeded, and chopped; 1/2 teaspoon ground Espelette pepper, cayenne pepper, or hot paprika; 2 bay leaves; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 cup basmati rice; 1 small packet (1 1/4 teaspoons) Sazón seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads; 3 cups store-bought low-sodium broth; Hot sauce, such as Crystal, to taste; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt for serving; Lime zest (optional)

Image may contain Food Roast Ice Cream Creme Dessert and Cream

Arroz con PolloJohn Lee

My wife, Jazmin, is of Honduran descent. When you walk into her mother's house, everything is Latin-inspired, especially the cooking. This dish is a Latin staple, and because Jazmin likes it so much, arroz con pollo has become a staple for us. You can throw in half a bag of frozen peas toward the end to up the nutritional content. We serve it with a bottle of hot sauce on the table and a bowl of yogurt.

1.5 Sazón Packets

I embrace certain store-bought "prepared foods," such as Sazón. It's all about umami, or monosodium glutamate (MSG). Sazón mixes are packets of dried seasoned salt sold in supermarkets (Goya is the most familiar brand) and are used in Latin American cooking. The general ingredients are equal parts ground coriander, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salta great flavor punch. You can make it at home, but I typically use the prepared version.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Sweet and Spicy Latin American Favorites
There's never a dull bite.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Brussels Sprout Pasta

This brussels sprout pasta recipe taps nutty brown butter, crunchy pecans, and hot Italian sausage to create an easy dinner bursting with fall flavors.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.

Recipe notes

Sweet and Spicy Latin American Favorites