Description
This Pollo Guisado Recipe (Dominican Chicken Stew) is made with onion, potatoes, bell peppers, sazon, tomatoes and a ton of spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 10 pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 baby potatoes, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 sazon envelope (optional: with cilantro and achiote)
- 1 8 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, as desired
- Half a lime
- 1 tablespoon of cilantro
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season all over with the packet of Sazon and salt on both sides.
- Add olive oil in a large saucepan on medium heat. When oil is hot, add the chicken and brown for 4 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Add the potatoes, garlic, onion, bell peppers and salt, stirring, and cook until the onion and peppers are soft, about 6-8 minutes. Add the diced tomato, oregano, chicken bouillon, bay leaves, a cup of chicken broth and salt and pepper. Stir, reduce heat to low heat, return the chicken, cover and cook for 1 hour and a half.
- When the chicken is ready, squeeze half a lime into the sauce and stir. Garnish with cilantro.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken broth with water and a cube of chicken bouillon.
- Brown the Chicken: Before adding the other ingredients, take the time to brown the chicken pieces. This step adds flavor and helps seal in the juices, resulting in tender and flavorful chicken in the finished dish.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Sautéing the onions, garlic, and other aromatic ingredients in oil or butter before adding the liquids and chicken adds depth of flavor to the dish. Allow them to soften and become fragrant for optimal flavor development.
- Season Generously: Pollo Guisado benefits from a well-balanced blend of spices and seasonings. Don't be afraid to season the dish generously with salt, pepper, and other spices like cumin, paprika, or oregano. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed to suit your preference.
- Use Homemade Chicken Broth: If possible, use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. Homemade broth adds an extra layer of flavor and richness to the dish. However, store-bought broth can still work well if homemade is not available.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Allow the Pollo Guisado to simmer over low heat to develop deep flavors and ensure the chicken is tender and juicy. Low and slow cooking helps the flavors meld together and creates a delicious sauce.
- Add Vegetables at the Right Time: If you're adding vegetables to your Pollo Guisado, consider their cooking times. Add vegetables that require longer cooking, such as potatoes or carrots, at the beginning, and more delicate vegetables like peas or bell peppers towards the end, to avoid overcooking them.
- Adjust the Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove some of the liquid towards the end of cooking and continue simmering until the desired consistency is reached. Alternatively, if you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a bit of water or broth to adjust the consistency.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, garnish the Pollo Guisado with freshly chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley. The bright, fresh flavors will add a pop of freshness to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Dominican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 171.8
- Sugar: 6.2 g
- Sodium: 228.8 mg
- Fat: 4.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 19.8 g
- Cholesterol: 47.4 mg
