Pollo Guisado con Plátanos
A hearty and flavorful stew of chicken braised in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic spices, served alongside sweet, fried plantains.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Thyme(dried)
- 1 leaf Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Cumin(ground)
- 1 tsp Paprika
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 3 large Ripe plantains(peeled and sliced)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 6
Add crushed tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, diced carrots, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, cumin, and paprika. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. - 7
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Cover and simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
💡 Tip: Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. - 8
While the stew simmers, fry the plantain slices in a separate pan with a little oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
- 9
Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened. - 10
Serve the chicken stew hot, accompanied by the fried plantains.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped chili pepper with the onions.
- ✓Ensure plantains are ripe but not overly soft for the best frying texture.
- ✓This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like green beans or peas.
- Serve with rice or fufu instead of plantains.