Are you looking for a delicious and easy recipe for Arroz Valenciana? Look no further! This step-by-step guide will have you making this classic Spanish dish in no time.
Try my Instant Pot Duo Crisp Rice Recipes and Salmon Mayo Korean Rice Balls for more accessible rice recipes.
What is Arroz Valenciana?
Many classic Filipino dishes have evolved from the diverse population in the Philippines. Many expats worldwide have found a home in the Philippines and brought their cooking styles. One delicious Filipino dish that has evolved from the Spanish style of cuisine is Arroz Valenciana.
Technically, “Arroz Valenciana” refers to a style of preparing rice that originated in Spain, but this dish takes on a new life in Filipino cooking! The delicious Filipino rendition uses sticky rice, bell pepper, and coconut milk to make an irresistible medley of flavors. It’s a simple dish with so much flavor!
What is the Difference between Arroz Valenciana and Paella?
Arroz Valenciana is technically a method and not a dish. It’s cooking rice with aromatic and colorful ingredients like turmeric or saffron. Paella is a type of Arroz Valenciana from Spain that typically uses saffron and green beans. In contrast, this Arroz Valenciana is made in the Filipino style, with sticky rice and coconut milk.
What Makes Arroz Valenciana so Great?
Filling and Flavorful– Usually, when you think of rice, it’s not the star of the meal, but this delicious recipe for Arroz Valenciana turns the spotlight on the tasty rice. The rice can toast and become a whole flavor you will be hooked on! This is no side dish but a satisfying rice dish that will fill you with plenty of meaty and vegetative flavors.
Easy Any Night of the Week-Arroz Valenciana is so simple that you can even make it on a weeknight. It’s cheerful and comforting after a long day at the office or school, and the whole family will get excited to hear what’s for dinner!
Filipino Flair—Many cultures have their take on Arroz Valenciana, but nobody makes it like Filipinos! Our delicious take on this dish uses the amazing flavors of coconut milk, chicken, and bell pepper to make the flavor even more bold and tasty. It’s a truly fantastic showcase of traditional Filipino flavors!
Equipment Needed
- Flat pan- to ensure that the rice is fully cooked equally.
- Spoon/Spatula- used to mix the ingredients.
Ingredients for Arroz Valenciana
- Glutinous rice is an essential ingredient for Filipino cooking. It’s a particularly sticky style of rice that gives this dish its signature texture.
- Jasmine Rice-Jasmine rice is an excellent choice for its long grains and delectable aroma. The cooking will make its tasty aroma bloom and grow!
- Skinless Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts are some of the essential proteins in this dish, and they help to give the recipe some substance. You can also choose another chicken cut, but whichever style you choose, be sure to cut it into small pieces for this cook.
- Chinese sausage- is an excellent style of sausage with a nice sweet and not overly salty flavor. You will sometimes find this sausage labeled with its Chinese name, “ lap cheong.”
- Green Peas-Green peas add some color and texture to this dish. Fresh peas are perfect, but you can also use frozen peas.
- Paprika-Paprika gives the rice a sweet, smoky pepper flavor and a nice dash of color.
- Turmeric is a classic ingredient in this recipe. It adds a nice spiced flavor and a great orange/yellow color.
- Chicken Broth—The chicken broth is the ultimate trick for making rice wonderfully bold and flavorful. Alternatively, you can use water and a bouillon cube instead of the broth.
- Coconut Milk- This ingredient gives the rice a delightfully creamy flavor and texture. Use your favorite brand of this velvety smooth liquid.
- Onion—A small onion adds a savory flavor to this rice dish. Use white or yellow, or in a pinch, swap this ingredient for a shallot.
- Tomato- A small tomato adds great freshness and color to this recipe. Choose a petite tomato just a bit larger than a ping-pong ball.
- Garlic is the ultimate savory food enhancer. Its flavor will make anyone’s mouth water! Use fresh cloves or the jarred version of this ingredient.
- Red Bell Pepper—The bell pepper in this recipe adds an excellent level of vegetable sweetness, peppery punch, and bright color. You can swap this ingredient for yellow or orange bell pepper in a pinch.
- Canola Oil -Use your favorite neutral cooking oil, and don’t be afraid to add a little extra to the pan after cooking the meat!
- Fish Sauce, Green Onion, Hard-Boiled Eggs (For Garnishing)– These simple dressings and garnishes can add a lovely bit of color and flavor to your rice!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chicken and Rice
- Heat cooking oil in a medium-sized flat pan. Add chicken thigh and saute until soft. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Chinese sausage until it changes its color. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add cooking oil, if needed, in the same pan and saute’ garlic until brown and onion until transparent. Add the tomato and pepper. Season with paprika and turmeric powder and cook until pepper and tomato are soft. Add the rice and mix to coat with the sauce.
Incorporating The Spices And Seasoning
- Add the chicken broth and coconut milk. Cover and let cook on low heat until the rice is done and the liquid evaporates.
- Add the chicken, peas, and Chinese sausage mix with the rice gently.
- Keep an eye on the rice, which sticks at the bottom. When it does, scrape it and mix. You’ll find yourself mixing the rice all the time to cook the rice grains equally, and that’s okay. I found that the liquid here is enough as there is steam from covering the Arroz Valenciana while cooking.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Add extra oil to the pan if needed when sauteing the meat and vegetables,
- Coat the rice well before adding the liquid.
- Watch the rice closely and stir/scrape it when needed to avoid sticking.
Serving And Garnishing Options
This dish is a true all-star, but you can add a few sides to take it over! Try serving this Arroz Valenciana with fried plantains or sweet potatoes for a nice balance of texture and flavor. Crusty bread is always great to have on hand when serving this dish! Any way you pair this rice up, it will come out delicious!
How to Store and Reheat Arroz Valenciana
- Storing this delicious rice is easy. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring all the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Two suitable ways to reheat this dish are in the microwave or in a pan.
- To reheat in the microwave, transfer the desired amount of leftovers to a microwave-safe container and heat for up to 2 minutes. To reheat in a pan, heat a wok over medium heat, add the Arroz Valenciana to the hot pan, and stir it up for a few minutes until it is warm.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this rich rice dish, you will love these recipes!
- Minced Chicken Eggplant Rice Instant Pot
- Easy Yakisoba Noodles
- Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork Skewers
- Banana Lumpia
- Best Turmeric Yellow Rice with Chicken
Easy Arroz Valenciana Recipe with Step-by-Step Instructions
Equipment
- Flat Pan
- spatula or ladle for mixing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup glutinous rice
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1/2 lb skinless chicken thigh chicken breast or other chicken cut will work. Cut into small bite sized pieces
- 3 pieces Chinese sausage and cook until it changes its color. Remove from pan and set aside.
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Tumeric
- 2 cups chicken broth you can mix 2 cups of water with 1 bouillon
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 small sized onion chopped
- 1 small size tomato chopped ( size a bit bigger than ping pong ball)
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/4 cup of red bell pepper cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- fish sauce to season if needed
- green onion leaves, hard boiled eggs
Instructions
- Heat cooking oil in a medium sized flat pan and saute' chicken thigh and cook until until soft. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Chinese sausage and cook until it changes its color. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add cooking oil,if needed, in the same pan and saute' garlic until brown and onion until transparent. Add the tomato and pepper. Season with Paprika and Turmeric powder and cook until pepper and tomato are soft. Add the rice and mix to coat with the sauce.
- Add the chicken broth and coconut milk. Cover and let cook in a low heat until rice is done and liquid evaporated.
- Add the chicken, peas and Chinese sausage mix with the rice gently.
- KEEP AN EYE OF THE RICE AS IT TENDS TO STICK AT THE BOTTOM. When it does, just scrape it and mix. You ‘ll find yourself mixing the rice all the time to equally cook the rice grain and that’s OK.I found that the liquid here is enough as there is steam from covering the Arroz Valenciana while cooking.
Welcome!
Hi, my name is Shobee. Welcome to The Skinny Pot, where we cook Easy Recipes from the available ingredients from our pantry and fridge! We’re your go-to source for simple and delicious recipes that make the most of what you already have at home. Talk about the pantry challenge. Read more...
Shobelyn Dayrit says
You can add raisins in this if you want.
Sendang says
Hi. Do you put raisins in the arroz valenciana or is it just for garnish like the onion leeks? Saw it in the image posted. Thank you.
Shobelyn Dayrit says
Oh no~~ Yup, use only 1/2 cup glutinous rice and 1 cup jasmine rice. I corrected the recipe. Thank you for the message.
Anonymous says
Hello, you use 1/2c glutinous rice,1c jasmine and another 1/2c rice?