Simmered Sofrito Chicken and Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

Chicken thighs slow-simmered in a rich sofrito base with tomatoes and bell peppers, creating a deeply flavorful rice dish perfect for busy nights. This Puerto Rican-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs olive oil, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1, diced green bell pepper
• 1, diced red bell pepper
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14 ounces), undrained diced tomatoes
• 1.5 pounds, bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, and cook for 5 minutes until golden. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, and 1 green bell pepper, diced, and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 1 red bell pepper, diced, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup long-grain rice and cook for 1 minute to toast the grains.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 can diced tomatoes (undrained), 1.5 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on), and 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup frozen peas and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.