Description
This Guatemalan Spiced Chicken Stew with Seeds is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a richly spiced tomato broth with aromatic herbs and a delightful texture boost from pumpkin seeds. Perfectly seasoned with cumin, paprika, and oregano, this stew delivers a comforting and authentic taste of Guatemalan cuisine. Serve it hot alongside rice or warm tortillas for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Stock
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 4 cups chicken stock
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Others
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- Brown the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the pot and brown them on all sides to lock in flavor and color. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion turns translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and paste: Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking for a few minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Mix in spices: Add cumin, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and salt to the pot. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the tomato base.
- Return chicken and add stock: Place the browned chicken thighs back into the pot and pour in the chicken stock, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.
- Simmer the stew: Bring the stew to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through and the flavors to develop.
- Add pumpkin seeds and cilantro: Stir in the pumpkin seeds and chopped cilantro, and cook for an additional 10 minutes to incorporate these fresh elements into the stew.
- Serve: Serve the Guatemalan spiced chicken stew hot, accompanied by rice or warm tortillas for a complete and hearty meal.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, reduce the amount of chicken stock or simmer uncovered to let some liquid evaporate.
- To save time, boneless chicken thighs can be used but may require shorter cooking time.
- Pumpkin seeds add a subtle nutty crunch; toasted seeds can add extra depth of flavor.
- This stew freezes well; store in airtight containers and reheat gently before serving.
- Adjust salt and spices according to taste preference or dietary needs.
