Pollo Guisado (Stewed Chicken)

Name: Pollo Guisado (Stewed Chicken)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: For the Chicken:; 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks 🍗; 1 tbsp adobo seasoning; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder 🧄; 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒; For the Guisado Sauce:; ½ small onion, diced 🧅; ½ green bell pepper, chopped 🌶️; 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄; 1 ají dulce (or ½ jalapeño), finely chopped 🔥; ½ cup recaito (cilantro, culantro, garlic, and peppers blended) 🌿; 1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp cumin; ½ cup tomato sauce 🍅; ½ cup chicken broth 🍲; ½ cup pimiento-stuffed green olives 🫒; 1 tbsp capers (optional); 2 bay leaves; 2 cups water 💦; For the Vegetables & Final Touches:; 2 medium potatoes, diced 🥔; 1 carrot, sliced 🥕; ½ cup frozen peas 🌱; ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste) 🧂; 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿

Prep: 15 minutesCook: 50 minutesTotal: 1 hour 5 minutes

Story

The kitchen was alive with the aroma of tender chicken simmering in a rich, tomato-based sauce. Pollo Guisado,” Don Luis said, stirring the pot, “is a dish that feels like home—it’s a hug in every bite.” This Puerto Rican classic combines slow-cooked chicken, hearty vegetables, and bold seasonings, creating a dish that’s perfect for family gatherings or quiet evenings. Let’s make this comforting favorite, the Don Luis way! 🌟

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks 🍗
1 tbsp adobo seasoning
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
For the Guisado Sauce:
0.5 small onion, diced 🧅
0.5 green bell pepper, chopped 🌶️
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 ají dulce (or ½ jalapeño), finely chopped 🔥
0.5 cup recaito (cilantro, culantro, garlic, and peppers blended) 🌿
1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
0.5 cup tomato sauce 🍅
0.5 cup chicken broth 🍲
0.5 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives 🫒
1 tbsp capers (optional)
2 bay leaves
2 cups water 💦
For the Vegetables & Final Touches:
2 medium potatoes, diced 🥔
1 carrot, sliced 🥕
0.5 cup frozen peas 🌱
0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste) 🧂
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿

Instructions

11️⃣ Season the Chicken
2In a bowl, coat the chicken thighs and drumsticks with adobo, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor). 🍗🧄
32️⃣ Sear the Chicken
4Heat olive oil in a large caldero or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside. 🍗🔥
53️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics
6In the same pot, sauté the onion, green bell pepper, garlic, and ají dulce until fragrant. Stir in recaito, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and cumin, cooking for 2 minutes to release the flavors. 🧄🌿🍅
74️⃣ Deglaze & Simmer
8Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add tomato sauce, olives, capers, bay leaves, and water. Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. 🍲🔥
95️⃣ Add the Vegetables
10Add potatoes, carrots, and peas to the pot. Cover and simmer for another 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally. 🥔🥕
116️⃣ Garnish & Serve
12Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning with salt, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve over white rice or with tostones for a traditional Puerto Rican feast! 🍚🍽️

About the narrator

Don Luis · A character for three generations

Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.

Read our mission →