Slow-Simmered Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew
A hearty, rich chicken stew simmered with roasted spices, tomatoes, and fresh herbs reflecting Guatemalan home cooking. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 90 minutes pairs pounds bone-in chicken thighs, dried guajillo chiles, dried pasilla chiles 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 pieces dried guajillo chiles
- 2 pieces dried pasilla chiles
- 4 medium roma tomatoes
- 1 medium white onion
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves whole cloves
- 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1, torn into pieces corn tortilla
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 3 dried guajillo chiles and 2 dried pasilla chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes per side until fragrant but not burnt. Remove stems and seeds, then soak in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Char 4 roma tomatoes, 1 medium white onion, and 4 garlic cloves in the skillet until skin is blackened and softened, about 8 minutes total, turning occasionally.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, dry toast 1/4 cup pepitas, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Transfer the soaked chiles, charred vegetables, toasted seeds and spices, and 1 torn corn tortilla piece into a blender. Add 1 cup of the soaking liquid and blend until smooth.
- Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them in the oil for 5 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 6: Pour the blended sauce over the chicken in the pot. Add 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving to add fresh herb flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 min prep + 60 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 Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew?
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 pounds bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew?
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 Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew 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 Slow-Simmered Guatemalan Pepian Chicken Stew?
Latin American 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.
