Galinhada (Brazilian Chicken & Saffron Rice)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Country of Origin: Brazil
Description: A classic Brazilian one-pot comfort dish of tender chicken cooked together with long-grain rice, ground annatto or saffron, sweet bell peppers, and fresh herbs.
Presentation & How It's Eaten: Served family-style in a large platter, garnished with chopped scallions and fresh cilantro. Eaten warm with a fork.
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks, bone-in
2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tbsp ground annatto (urucum) or 1/2 tsp saffron threads
1/2 cup canned peas
4 cups hot chicken broth
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped scallions and cilantro
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Directions:
Season & Sear Chicken: Toss chicken with lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat; sear chicken for 8 minutes until golden on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add onion, red bell pepper, and annatto (or saffron). Sauté for 4 minutes until vegetables soften.
Add Rice: Stir in washed white rice, tossing for 2 minutes to coat grains in colored oil.
Simmer: Return seared chicken to pot and pour in hot chicken broth. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.
Finish & Rest: Fold in peas, remove from heat, and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and sprinkle with chopped scallions and cilantro.
Optional: Add local Brazilian pequi fruit if available for traditional regional flavor.
Cooking Tips: Searing the chicken thoroughly first creates a caramelized base that flavors the entire pot of rice.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: ~490 kcal
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Sodium: 520mg
Total Carbohydrates: 51g
Dietary Fiber: 2.5g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 26g
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