Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro
Juicy chicken thighs cooked with a vibrant Dominican sofrito base and fresh cilantro, delivering a spicy and aromatic experience. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, large onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 small scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp adobo seasoning, and 1 tsp ground cumin. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook 5 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 large finely chopped onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 1 small seeded and chopped Scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and aroma intensifies.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly and coats the vegetables.
- Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet and pour in 1 cup chicken broth along with 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro?
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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro 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 Spicy Dominican-Style Chicken with Sofrito and Cilantro?
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.
