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Close-up of Pollo Guisado with tender chicken, carrots, potatoes, and green olives

Pollo Guisado: My Mom’s Puerto Rican Chicken Stew That Feels Like Home


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A soul-warming Puerto Rican chicken stew made with sofrito, sazón, potatoes, and olives—comforting, easy, and packed with bold flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sofrito
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 packet sazón with annatto
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup manzanilla olives, pimiento-stuffed
  • 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
  • 2 large carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 3 cups chicken stock

Instructions

  • Pat chicken dry and season with adobo.
  • Heat oil in a large pot. Brown chicken in batches and set aside.
  • In the same pot, sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in sofrito and tomato sauce. Cook for 3 minutes until thickened.
  • Add sazón, bay leaves, oregano, olives, potatoes, carrots, and chicken stock. Stir well.
  • Return chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer for 40–50 minutes on low heat.
  • Optional: Mix cornstarch with cold water and add to the stew to thicken if needed.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth.

Serve with white rice or tostones for a traditional touch.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 cups
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 843mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 135mg