Arroz a la Tumbada con Pollo y Camarones (Brothy Mexican Rice with Chicken and Prawns)
A soupy one pot rice simmered in a red chilli and tomato broth with shredded chicken, prawns and fresh coriander.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £6.09 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice in cold water until it runs clear and drain well.
- 2
Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot and fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
6 min - 3
Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in the salsa roja (see the base recipe) and cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until it thickens and darkens.
5 min - 4
Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on a low heat for 12 minutes until the rice is almost tender. It should still be soupy.
12 min - 5
Stir in the pollo deshebrado (see the base recipe) and the prawns. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the prawns are pink all the way through and the chicken is steaming hot.
4 min 30 s - 6
Taste and season with salt. Stir in the coriander and serve in deep bowls with lime wedges.
Tips
- The rice should be wet and brothy, like a thick soup, so add more broth if it looks dry.
- Add the prawns at the end so they stay tender. Overcooked prawns turn rubbery.
- Serve at once, as the rice keeps absorbing the broth as it sits.
Storing and freezing
Eat fresh. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and chill; eat within 1 day and reheat only once, until steaming hot all the way through. Do not reheat prawns more than once.
Questions
What does a la tumbada mean?
Arroz a la tumbada is a brothy rice dish from the Veracruz coast, cooked with seafood, tomatoes and chillies and served soupy.
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes. Stir them in for the last minute only to warm through.
Is it spicy?
Mild to medium, depending on your salsa roja. Add hot sauce at the table.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.