Simple Arroz Valenciana Recipe

This simple Arroz Valenciana or Arroz a la Valenciana recipe is the perfect all-in-one dish to serve on special occasions due to its attractive visuals and amazing flavors! Made by cooking the chicken, glutinous rice, vegetables, and spices in a pan first then simmering them in coconut milk. It is served topped with hard-boiled eggs.

What is Arroz Valenciana?

It is almost guaranteed that you will see this dish when you attend fiestas in provinces. Arroz Valenciana is one of the most popular dishes that Filipinos make during celebrations and festivities. 

It is a Visayan adaptation of the famous Spanish paella. While Paella uses round ground rice and meat stock, this dish uses glutinous or sticky rice and coconut milk instead. It is also characterized by the use of turmeric (luyang dilaw), chicken, and chorizo de Bilbao. 

It bears a lot of similarities to its regional sister dish, the Bringhe of Pampanga. Bringhe is actually a fusion of two dishes- the South East Asian Biryani and the Spanish Paella.  

Different ways to make Arroz Valenciana

This is a simple version of this recipe that is really quick and easy to make. It is ideal for an everyday meal. You can get away with making this dish using only a few ingredients as long as the main ones are present: sticky rice, turmeric, coconut milk, and chicken. It is quite a customizable dish as well. 

If you want to give it some flair for serving on special occasions, you can add Chorizo de Bilbao, green peas, and raisins. You can also use seafood and other meats like pork, beef, or duck. I have also encountered this dish served with some chicken gizzard and liver as well. 

Foxy tips when making Arroz Valenciana:

• Make sure to use a wide enough pan/pot so the glutinous rice cooks properly and evenly. 
• I used chicken wings cut at joints for this recipe, but feel free to use other chicken parts like thighs or breasts.
• After adding the coconut milk and water, lower the heat and cover your pan/pot with the lid. Refrain from stirring too much to get the sought-after socarrat, the roasted bottom layer of the rice. Just make sure not to burn it. 
• Since it contains coconut oil, it can easily spoil if left on the dining table for hours. Make sure to always check for freshness before eating. 
• For any leftovers, store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. You can reheat using a microwave or on a stovetop over low heat. 

If you are looking for more Filipino fiesta food, try these recipes too:

Print Review

Simple Arroz Valenciana Recipe

5 from 2 votes

This simple Arroz Valenciana or Arroz a la Valenciana recipe is the perfect all-in-one dish to serve on special occasions due to its attractive visuals and amazing flavors!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Course :Side Dish

Servings =6

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

US CustomaryMetric

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic - minced
• 1 medium onion - chopped
• 5-6 pieces chicken wings - cut into wingettes and drumettes
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (optional)
• 2 cups glutinous or sticky rice - washed
• 1 tablespoon Turmeric powder
• 1 cup carrots - sliced into strips
• 1 cup bell pepper - sliced into strips
• 2 pieces bay leaf
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup green peas
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 can coconut milk (13.5 fl oz.)
• 1-2 cups water

TOPPINGS (OPTIONAL)

• 2 eggs - hard-boiled and sliced
• cooked shrimp
• bell pepper
• raisins
• green peas

Instructions

 

• In a deep pan and on medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add chicken wings and let for some minutes until the meat is almost cooked, about 3 minutes. If using fish sauce add it now.
• Add the rice and turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute while continuously mixing to make sure not to burn the rice.
• Stir in the carrots, bell pepper, and bay leaf, then season with salt and pepper as desired, mix well.
• Add green peas and raisins and mix until well distributed. Pour in coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Cover and let cook for about 20-30 minutes or until sticky rice is done. Stir from time to time and check if you need to add more water if rice is not yet cooked. Water should be absorbed entirely once done.
• Turn off the heat and remove the bay leaves and give it a final stir.
• Transfer into a llanera and fill to the rim. Turn the contents of llanera over into a plate to serve. If you want to make it more festive, add some slices of hard-boiled eggs, cooked shrimp, slices of bell peppers, and pieces of raisins and green peas at the bottom of the llanera before adding the rice.

Notes

To make this recipe extra special you may also add:
1 piece Chorizo de Bilbao after cooking chicken wings

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 10gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 529mgPotassium: 571mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4629IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 5mg

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This recipe was originally published in January 2014. Updated in February 2021 to include new photos, more tips, and a recipe video.