In the Kitchen: Fernando’s Columbian Chicken and Rice Recipe

Since joining the 101 Collins Street team, Fernando Rengifo has brought creativity and fun to the kitchen, cooking colourful dishes and bringing an element of excitement to every meal. Fernando prepares five nutritionally balanced meals using seasonal ingredients every day for the children of 101 Collins Street.

Fernando has a wealth of experience, having worked as a chef in Columbia from a young age before moving to Australia. As a father of two girls, Fernando knows the ins and outs of preparing delicious and nutritious food for growing children.

Fernando is passionate about creating enjoyable mealtime experiences, as he believes they can help build a child’s self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits.

As an ode to his childhood, Fernando has shared a traditional recipe for Columbian Chicken and Rice – a nutritious crowd pleaser that always has the children asking for a second helping.

“This is a traditional, easy and tasty Colombian recipe packed with a lot of flavour. Colombian cuisine does not use a lot of spices, but herbs instead. As always, salt and pepper quantities are up to the chef in charge. Happy cooking!”

Fernando’s Columbian Chicken and Rice

Ingredients                                                                                  

• 500g chicken thighs, diced
• 5 large bay leaves
• 120g green peas
• 350 basmati rice
• 150g olive oil
• 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
• 2 teaspoons saffron powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons mixed herbs
• 250g brown onions, diced
• 150 celery, diced
• 100g carrots, diced
• 150g broccoli, diced
• 150g cauliflower, diced
• 150g red capsicum, diced
• 1 can corn kernels
• 375g chorizo, sliced

Method

1. In a pot, cook the rice and saffron powder. Once cooked, drain and place aside for later.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add garlic, onion, celery, carrots and red capsicum together with bay leaves and cumin. Cook for a few minutes.
3. Add diced chicken and chorizo, cooking and stirring for 5 minutes. 
4. Add corn kernels and the green peas, stir for a minute or two before adding the rest of the vegetables. Cook until soft. 
5. Once mixture is cooked through, add rice to pot and fold together. Serve warm with coriander on top.

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