Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce
A Traditional Guatemalan Chicken Stew
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.
- 1 h 30 min
- 4
- Intermediate
Ingredients
For the Chicken
For the Jocón Sauce
For the Garnishes
Preparation
Marinating the Chicken
Season the Chicken
Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt.
Heat Oil
Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat.
Brown the Chicken
Add chicken and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each. Remove and set aside.
Preparing the Jocón Sauce
Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add tomatillos, onion, garlic, jalapeños, and sauté until softened.
Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the spice level.
Blend the Sauce
Transfer the mixture to a blender, add cilantro and 1 cup of chicken broth, and blend until smooth.
Ensure the sauce is blended smoothly to avoid a gritty texture.
Simmer the Sauce
Return the blend to the pot, add remaining broth, and bring to a simmer.
Cooking Process
Simmering the Sauce
Add the browned chicken back into the pot with the sauce mix.
Thickening the Stew
Let it cook on low heat uncovered to reduce and thicken.
Final Seasoning
Season with salt to taste just before serving.
Plating & Serving
Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce
Savory Guatemalan Jocón de Pollo with Cilantro Sauce
Serve & Garnish
Serve the chicken stew in deep bowls. Arrange slices of avocado on top and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds for added texture and flavor.