Relleno de Pollo Catracho
A classic Honduran dish featuring a whole chicken stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat, vegetables, fruits, and spices. It's a festive and flavorful meal, often prepared for special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 3 lb Whole chicken(cleaned)
- 0.5 lb Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 0.5 medium Bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 30 g Raisins(chopped)
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs(soaked in milk)
- 1 liter Milk(for soaking breadcrumbs and for basting)
- 0.25 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Achiote powder(for color)
- 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Chicken broth
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Cooking oil
- 1 piece Kitchen twine
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until softened.
- 2
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- 3
Stir in the soaked breadcrumbs, raisins, tomato sauce, achiote powder, mayonnaise, mustard, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until the filling is well combined and slightly thickened.
- 4
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- 5
Rinse the chicken inside and out and pat dry. Season the outside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- 6
Carefully stuff the chicken with the prepared filling. Be careful not to overstuff.
- 7
Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen twine to keep the stuffing in place.
- 8
Place the stuffed chicken in a roasting pan. You can baste the chicken with a little milk or chicken broth during cooking for extra moisture.
- 9
Roast for approximately 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- 10
Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. Serve with the stuffing on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the breadcrumbs are well soaked in milk to create a cohesive filling.
- ✓If you don't have kitchen twine, you can use toothpicks to secure the opening.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the filling.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped apple or prunes to the filling for a touch of sweetness.
- Some recipes include a tablespoon of white wine or brandy in the filling for added depth of flavor.
- For a crispy skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.