Arroz Con Pollo
Rice with freeze-dried chicken, vegetables, and saffron. One pot, boiling water, and fifteen minutes of sitting time.
- calories
- 600
- weight
- 5 oz
- cal / oz
- 120
- protein
- 50 g
- serves
- 2, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 720 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Car camping
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant rice | 1.5 cups | measure this exactly for the ratio to work |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried diced chicken | 1 cup | vacuum-seal if storing longer than a few weeks |
| Freeze-dried green peas | 1/4 cup | |
| Dried tomatoes | 2 tbsp | |
| Crumbled freeze-dried bell peppers | 2 tbsp | |
| Dried onion | 1 tbsp | |
| Low-sodium chicken broth powder | 2 tsp | |
| Granulated garlic | 1 tsp | |
| Saffron | a few strands | optional; seek bulk spice sections for affordability |
| Sea salt | a pinch | adjust based on broth powder sodium content |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | carry in a small bottle |
| Jack cheese | 1 oz | one cheese stick or equivalent |
Method
- Bring 720 ml of water to a boil with the olive oil.
- Pour in all the dry ingredients and stir well.
- Cover and remove from heat.
- Let sit for 15 minutes, insulated if possible.
- Crumble the cheese on top and stir through.
Freeze-dried chicken hydrates as the rice absorbs water, so you’re cooking one dish at one temperature for one duration. This is why it works: nothing is waiting on something else. The saffron adds enough aroma that the freeze-dried vegetables stop tasting like dehydrated filler. Water must be exact, so don’t guess the ratio.
This is a patience recipe, not an attention recipe. Boil water, pour it in, cover, and walk away while you set up camp. In cold weather, use a pot cozy or add time. Cheese stirred in at the end is fat, not flavor—skip it and the rice tastes lean. If your pack weight matters more than your dinner, freeze-dried cheese powder works.
Packing
Mix all dry ingredients into a single quart-size freezer bag at home. Carry the cheese separately—a single stick travels well and won't grease the rice. For storage longer than a few weeks, use a vacuum sealer on a pre-cut quart bag.
Variations
- Leave out the saffron if you can't source it affordably; the dish works without it.
- Swap freeze-dried cheese powder for fresh cheese to save weight.
- Add a packet of hot sauce or smoked paprika for different heat and flavor.
https://trailcooking.com/2022/09/15/fbc-meals-arroz-con-pollo