Fricase de Pollo (Cuban Chicken Fricassee)
A comforting and flavorful Cuban chicken stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with potatoes, olives, and capers.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 lbs Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1 cup Mojo marinade
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 1 large Large yellow onion(diced)
- 1 large Large green bell pepper(diced)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Dry white cooking wine (vino seco)
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Bay leaf
- 0.5 cup Spanish Manzanilla olives stuffed with pimentos(roughly chopped)
- 3 tablespoons Capers
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 large Large Russet potatoes(cubed)
- for garnish Finely chopped parsley
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Marinate the chicken pieces in mojo marinade for at least 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 1-2 hours - 2
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Transfer to a plate.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 3
Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the same pot and sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, dry white wine, water, olives, capers, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently stir to combine and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Add the browned chicken back into the pot along with the cubed potatoes. Stir to combine, cover with a lid, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 6
Garnish with finely chopped parsley before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with white rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks as they hold up well to braising.
- ✓If you don't have mojo marinade, you can create a simple marinade with sour orange juice (or a mix of orange and lime juice), salt, and pepper.
- ✓Ensure potatoes are tender before serving; adjust simmering time if necessary.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or peas.
- Use boneless chicken thighs, but adjust cooking time accordingly.