Caribbean Chicken and Rice
(Asopao de Pollo — Puerto Rico)

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (2 1/2 to 3 pound) broiler-fryer chicken, cut up
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups water
• 1 (16 ounce) can stewed tomatoes (with liquid)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 cup uncooked regular rice
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup (about 2 ounces) cubed fully cooked smoked ham
• 1/3 cup pitted small green olives
• 1 tablespoon capers
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Place chicken in a 12 inch skillet or Dutch oven. Sprinkle with salt, oregano, coriander and pepper. Add water, tomatoes, onion and garlic. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 30 minutes.
2. Stir rice into liquid. Cover and simmer until thickest pieces of chicken are done, about 20 minutes. Rinse frozen peas under running cold water to separate; drain. Add peas, green pepper, ham, olives, capers and 1 tablespoon caper liquid to chicken. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Serve with Parmesan cheese.