Pollo en Salsa de Curtido
A flavorful and comforting Costa Rican dish featuring chicken simmered in a rich, tangy sauce made with pickled vegetables (curtido) and aromatic spices. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional chicken preparations, highlighting the country's love for vibrant, complex flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks recommended)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or diced)
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Pickled vegetables (curtido)(finely chopped (e.g., carrots, cauliflower, green beans, onions, jalapeños - use a good quality store-bought or homemade curtido))
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensuring the chicken is dry helps it brown better. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 3
Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes💡 Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. - 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, and paprika. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Adjust seasonings as needed. - 6
Return the seared chicken to the pot. Add the finely chopped pickled vegetables (curtido). Stir to combine.
- 7
Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 40 minutes💡 Tip: The sauce should thicken slightly. - 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier dish, use a curtido with more jalapeños or add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
- ✓If you can't find pre-made curtido, you can make a quick version by finely chopping pickled carrots, cauliflower, and onions.
- ✓This dish pairs wonderfully with white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables to the sauce, such as potatoes or peas.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the crushed tomatoes.