Main Course · Dinner · Latin American ·

Creamy Guatemalan Pepián Rojo with Tomato-Cinnamon Sauce

Name: Creamy Guatemalan Pepián Rojo with Tomato-Cinnamon Sauce
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Bone-in chicken pieces, 3 lbs; Garlic, 2 cloves, minced; Lime, Juiced; Salt and pepper, To taste; Tomatoes, 4 medium, quartered; Onion, 1 large, chopped; Garlic, 3 cloves, peeled; Chicken broth, 1 cup; Cinnamon sticks, 2; Cumin seeds, 1 tsp; Ground coriander, 1 tsp; Pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup, toasted; Sesame seeds, 1/4 cup, toasted; Carrots, 2, peeled and sliced; Potatoes, 2, peeled and cubed; Green beans, 1 cup, trimmed and halved; Vegetable oil, 2 tbsp; Fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish; Cooked rice or tortillas, For serving

Savor the rich layers of flavors in this comforting Guatemalan stew, featuring tender chicken simmered in a spiced tomato-cinnamon sauce.

4.9(908 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 21, 2025

Creamy Guatemalan Pepián Rojo with Tomato-Cinnamon Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Pepián Sauce

For the Vegetable Blend

Additional Elements

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 566 kcal
Protein: 46.8 g
Carbs: 32.7 g
Fat: 31.2 g
Fiber: 5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3393 kcal
Protein: 280.7 g
Carbs: 196.2 g
Fat: 187.3 g
Fiber: 29.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Bone-in chicken pieces 3 lbs	1920	240	0	120	0
Garlic 2 cloves, minced	9	0.5	2	0	0.1
Lime Juiced	11	0.2	4	0	0.1
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Tomatoes 4 medium, quartered	88	4	20	1	4
Onion 1 large, chopped	44	1.5	10	0	2
Garlic 3 cloves, peeled	13	0.7	3	0	0.1
Chicken broth 1 cup	15	1	0	1	0
Cinnamon sticks 2	12	0.1	4	0	2
Cumin seeds 1 tsp	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
Ground coriander 1 tsp	5	0.3	1	0.3	0.5
Pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup, toasted	180	9	5	15	2
Sesame seeds 1/4 cup, toasted	206	6	8	18	3
Carrots 2, peeled and sliced	50	1	12	0.5	3.5
Potatoes 2, peeled and cubed	260	7	60	0	6
Green beans 1 cup, trimmed and halved	31	2	7	0	3
Vegetable oil 2 tbsp	240	0	0	28	0
Fresh cilantro 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Cooked rice or tortillas For serving	300	6	60	3	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine marinade
Combine minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
2
Marinate chicken
Rub the mixture onto the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3
Rest
Set aside to absorb flavor.

Preparing the Pepián Sauce

1
Toast ingredients
In a dry skillet, toast the tomatoes, onion, and garlic until slightly charred.
Tip: Do not skip toasting the seeds; it enhances the sauce’s depth.
2
Blend sauce
Blend the toasted ingredients with chicken broth, cinnamon sticks, cumin, coriander, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds until smooth.
Tip: Adjust spice levels by adding more or less cumin and coriander.
3
Strain sauce
Strain the sauce for a silky texture.

How to Make Creamy Guatemalan Pepián Rojo with Tomato-Cinnamon Sauce

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Browning the Chicken
Heat oil in a large pot, brown the marinated chicken pieces on all sides.
2
Simmering the Sauce
Pour the strained sauce over the chicken, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
3
Cooking Vegetables
Add carrots, potatoes, and green beans. Simmer until vegetables are tender.