Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hearty chicken stew simmered with traditional Dominican sofrito, root vegetables, and aromatic spices for a comforting meal. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, medium, diced white onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown chicken pieces for 4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 diced white onion and 1/2 cup Dominican sofrito to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups chicken broth, 2 chopped carrots, 1 cup diced yuca, 1 diced potato, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Return browned chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaf and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice before serving hot with white rice or bread.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Dominican-Style Chicken Stew with Sofrito and Root Vegetables?

Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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