Main Course · Dinner · Latin American ·

Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce

Name: Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-off; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp salt; 1 lb tomatillos, husked and rinsed; 1 bunch cilantro, stems removed; 2 jalapeños, seeds removed, chopped; 1 onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups chicken broth; Salt to taste; 1 avocado, sliced; 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Jocón de Pollo is a classic Guatemalan dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich, vibrant green sauce made with tomatillos, cilantro, and a hint of jalapeño.

4.7(876 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 11, 2025

Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken

For the Jocón Sauce

For the Garnishes

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 386 kcal
Protein: 30.25 g
Carbs: 13.5 g
Fat: 24.75 g
Fiber: 5.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1545 kcal
Protein: 121 g
Carbs: 54 g
Fat: 99 g
Fiber: 21 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-off	820	100	0	46	0
1 tbsp vegetable oil	120	0	0	14	0
1 tbsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 lb tomatillos husked and rinsed	80	4	18	1	5
1 bunch cilantro stems removed	10	1	2	0	1
2 jalapeños seeds removed, chopped	8	0	2	0	1
1 onion chopped	44	1	10	0	2
3 garlic cloves minced	13	1	3	0	0
2 cups chicken broth	30	3	2	1	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 avocado sliced	240	3	12	22	10
1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds	180	8	5	15	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Season the Chicken
Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt.
2
Heat Oil
Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat.
3
Brown the Chicken
Add chicken and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each. Remove and set aside.

Preparing the Jocón Sauce

1
Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add tomatillos, onion, garlic, jalapeños, and sauté until softened.
Tip: Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the spice level.
2
Blend the Sauce
Transfer the mixture to a blender, add cilantro and 1 cup of chicken broth, and blend until smooth.
Tip: Ensure the sauce is blended smoothly to avoid a gritty texture.
3
Simmer the Sauce
Return the blend to the pot, add remaining broth, and bring to a simmer.

How to Make Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmering the Sauce
Add the browned chicken back into the pot with the sauce mix.
2
Thickening the Stew
Let it cook on low heat uncovered to reduce and thicken.
3
Final Seasoning
Season with salt to taste just before serving.