Spicy Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito Chicken Stew

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

A hearty chicken stew infused with a vibrant sofrito base, simmered until tender with a touch of heat and bright flavors. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, sofrito for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until golden, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add 1 cup sofrito and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, add 1/3 cup sliced green olives, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp adobo seasoning, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve hot with rice or bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito Chicken Stew take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito 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 Spicy Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito Chicken Stew 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 Spicy Puerto Rican-Style Sofrito 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.

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