The Tastiest Dominican Pollo Guisado Recipe for Your Table

Crafting a delectable dominican pollo guisado brings comfort straight to your kitchen table.

Aromas of slow-cooked chicken mingling with rich spices will transport you to caribbean homes.

Generations have perfected this hearty stew, passing down techniques that speak of warmth and tradition.

Tender meat simmered in a robust sauce captures the essence of home-style cooking.

Robust flavors dance between herbs and vegetables, creating a symphony of taste.

Fragrant and satisfying, this dish promises a culinary journey through dominican culture.

Come savor each bite and connect with a recipe that tells a delicious story.

Flavor Enhancements For Pollo Guisado

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or jackfruit, marinating similarly and following the same cooking method for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure Sazon and bouillon are gluten-free certified, using alternative seasonings like pure spices to maintain authentic flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Version: Omit added salt, use sodium-free bouillon, and replace olives with fewer brined options to reduce overall sodium content.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Skip sugar, use extra bell peppers, increase olive oil, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice for a low-carb alternative.

Suggested Pairings For Pollo Guisado

• Flavor-Packed Rice Companion: Serve the braised chicken over fluffy white rice or traditional Dominican yellow rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and enhance every bite.
• Hearty Side Dish Delight: Pair with creamy black beans or red beans for a complete meal that brings authentic Dominican comfort food right to your table.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh cilantro on top just before serving to add brightness and a pop of fresh flavor that complements the rich, slow-cooked chicken.
• Family-Style Gathering Tip: Bring the entire skillet to the table and let everyone serve themselves, creating a warm and inviting communal dining experience that celebrates Dominican culinary tradition.

Storage Tips For Pollo Guisado

• Store Dominican Pollo Guisado in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the dish's flavors intact and ready for quick meals.
• Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup water to prevent drying and maintain the sauce's moisture.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers, sealing tightly to preserve taste for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• Why is marinating the chicken important?

Marinating helps the chicken absorb flavors deeply, tenderizes the meat, and enhances the overall taste of the Dominican pollo guisado.

• Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs or breasts, but bone-in chicken typically provides more flavor and juicier results.

• What can I substitute for Sazon seasoning?

You can make a homemade Sazon by mixing garlic powder, oregano, cumin, achiote or paprika, salt, coriander, and black pepper to create a similar flavor profile.

• Is this dish spicy?

Dominican pollo guisado is typically mild and flavorful, not spicy. The recipe focuses on herbs and seasonings that create a rich, savory taste without intense heat.

Why Dominican Pollo Guisado Is Special

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Layered ingredients like olives, tomato paste, and homemade Sazon create a rich, multi-dimensional taste that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Simplify Meal Preparation: With straightforward steps and minimal complex techniques, this Dominican chicken dish welcomes home cooks of all skill levels to create an authentic, delicious dinner.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Perfectly suited for busy families, this recipe improves overnight and can be prepared in advance, making meal planning and weeknight dinners stress-free and delicious.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients like optional bay leaf, chicken bouillon, and adaptable chicken cuts mean you can personalize the dish to match your pantry and preferences.

Essential Ingredients For Pollo Guisado

• Chicken: Traditional Dominican chicken dish with bone-in pieces that creates a rich, flavorful stew.

• Garlic, Onion, Peppers: Essential ingredients that provide depth and layers of flavor to the chicken stew.
• Lime Juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes a subtle herbal note to the overall dish.
• Fresh Cilantro: Provides a fresh, vibrant finish to the completed stew.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that help develop the foundational taste.
• Oregano: Adds a classic Latin herbal essence to the dish.
• Sazon: Traditional Latin seasoning that brings authentic color and depth.
• Tomato Paste: Creates a rich, concentrated tomato base for the sauce.
• Chicken Bouillon: Boosts the overall savory flavor profile.
• Olives and Olive Brine: Introduces a tangy, briny element to the stew.
• Sugar: Helps with caramelization and balancing the dish's flavors.

How To Cook Dominican Pollo Guisado

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Remove chicken skin and place in a large bowl.

Use kitchen shears to help remove skin from drumsticks if needed.

Step 2: Chop Vegetables

• Dice half of the peppers
• Slice remaining pepper halves into thin strips
• Dice half the onion
• Cut remaining onion into thin slices

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

• Diced peppers
• Diced onion
• Lime juice
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Sazon (optional)
• Salt
• Pepper

Toss ingredients to combine and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (refrigeration recommended for up to one hour).

Step 4: Brown the Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat.

Sprinkle sugar in the pan center (optional).

Once sugar starts browning, carefully add chicken pieces, leaving behind most chopped vegetables.

Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Create Braising Liquid

Mix water with remaining marinade and pour over chicken.

Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Add Tomato Base

• Tomato paste
• Chicken bouillon (optional)
• Water

Step 7: Finish Cooking

• Chopped tomatoes
• Sliced peppers
• Sliced onion
• Bay leaf (optional)

Pour tomato paste mixture over chicken.

Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables soften and chicken cooks through.

Step 8: Final Touches

Add olives and olive brine.

Cook uncovered for 3 minutes to thicken sauce.

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Stir in fresh cilantro.

Serve with rice and beans if desired.

Tips For Perfect Pollo Guisado

• Marinate the chicken for at least an hour in the refrigerator to enhance depth and tenderness of the meat.
• Use kitchen shears to carefully cut chicken skin from drumsticks when preparing the dish, making preparation easier.
• Simmer uncovered during the final cooking stage to naturally thicken the sauce without adding extra ingredients.
• Create homemade Sazon by mixing simple spices like garlic powder, cumin, and oregano for an authentic Dominican flavor boost.
• Prepare the entire dish in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, knowing the flavors will develop and improve overnight.

Dominican Pollo Guisado (Braised Chicken) Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 1 minute
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Dominican pollo guisado simmers with rich, comforting flavors that dance through tender chicken and aromatic spices. Warmth from this classic Caribbean dish promises a soul-satisfying meal that connects you directly to Dominican culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 8 bone-in chicken pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 medium red onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 to 3 plum tomatoes
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro leaves

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons sazon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 1/2 cup green olives
• 2 tablespoons olive brine
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Remove chicken skin and place in a large bowl, preparing for a flavorful marinade.
2. Chop peppers and onions into diced and sliced portions, creating textural variety.
3. Combine chicken with diced peppers, onions, lime juice, garlic, oregano, Sazon, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 15-60 minutes in refrigerator.
4. Heat oil in a lidded skillet over medium-high heat. Optional: Caramelize sugar in pan. Carefully add chicken pieces, avoiding excess marinade. Brown chicken for 3 minutes per side.
5. Mix remaining marinade with water and pour over chicken. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring.
6. Create tomato sauce by mixing tomato paste, chicken bouillon, and water in a separate bowl.
7. Add chopped tomatoes, sliced peppers, onions, and bay leaf to the skillet. Pour tomato sauce mixture, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables soften and chicken cooks through.
8. Incorporate olives and olive brine. Uncover and cook for 3 minutes to slightly thicken sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside rice and beans.
10. For best results, prepare dish in advance and reheat gently on stovetop with small amount of water to maintain moisture and flavor.

Notes

• Pull back chicken skin gently and use kitchen shears for clean, easy removal without struggling.
• Create homemade Sazon blend with common spices like garlic powder, cumin, and oregano to enhance authentic Dominican taste.
• This braised chicken tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights.
• Easily customize by using all chicken thighs or leaving some skin on for extra richness and personal preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 41 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Dominican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg