Description
Enjoy a flavorful arepa filled with spicy chicken, perfect for sharing with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups P.A.N., pre-cooked white cornmeal
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese of choice
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Arepa:
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl stir to combine water and salt.
- Continue stirring and slowly add cornmeal and remaining flavor ingredients.
- Continue stirring, then kneading, for about 3 minutes until dough is soft and smooth. Form into desired shapes with thickness no greater than ½ inch.
- Place an arepa on a medium heat pan.
- Do not crowd the arepas. Make them smaller to fit in your pan or have more than one pan on the stove for this step if making many arepas.
- Flip when a slight golden crust as formed on the underside of arepa. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, until similar crust as formed on other side.
- Transfer arepas to wire rack of oven and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Tap arepas. If they sound hollow they are ready for consumption. Otherwise leave the arepas in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove arepas, slice in half like a pita and stuff with your favorite fillings, like pollo picante!
Pollo picante:
- Add olive oil to pan, between medium and medium high setting. Follow with garlic and onion. Cook until onion is translucent.
- Add chicken breast. Add pepper strips and remaining spices to chicken. When the chicken has caramelized flip to remaining side.
- Add half of the wine to the pan. When all of the liquid has evaporated add remaining wine, lower heat to the lowest setting and cover. Allow to cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Put chicken breast, vegetables and pan drippings in a bowl. Using two forks pull the breasts apart until they resemble large shreds.
- Cup open warm arepas, stuff with pollo picante and serve.
Notes
For a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper. You can store leftover arepas in an airtight container and reheat them in the oven. Experiment with different cheeses for added flavor. Serve with a side of avocado or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 75