Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
A deeply flavorful Guatemalan stew where tender chicken melds with a nutty pumpkin seed sauce, balanced by tomatillos and warm spices. This guatemalan-inspired one pot ready in about 105 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, pumpkin seeds, tomatillos for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 cups tomatillos
- 1 medium white onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium tomato
- 1/2 cup bell pepper
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant, then set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook for 5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for 3 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium finely chopped white onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups chopped tomatillos, 1 medium chopped tomato, 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, and 1/2 cup corn kernels to the pot, stirring to combine. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 1 hour until chicken is tender.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, stir in the 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (20 min prep + 85 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds?
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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds?
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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Pepián with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds?
Guatemalan one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
