Ecuadorian chicken rice soup {Aguado de gallina}

• 3 lbs chicken assorted pieces
• ¾ cup rice uncooked
• 2 tbs sunflower oil or butter
• 1 cup chopped red onion about ½ onion
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper about 1 pepper
• 2 roma tomatoes peeled, seeded and chopped
• 6 garlic cloves crushed
• 2 tbs chopped parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbs fresh chopped oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground achiote
• 8 cups chicken broth or water
• 2 potatoes peeled and diced, about 3 ½ cups
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup peas fresh or frozen
• 2 tbs finely chopped cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

Serve with:

• chopped chives or green onions
• avocado slices
• Aji criollo hot sauce