Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies
A traditional Guatemalan turkey stew rich with smoky roasted tomatoes and mild guajillo chilies, simmered to create a vibrant and comforting dish. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 100 minutes pairs turkey thighs, bone-in and skin-on, medium roma tomatoes, whole dried guajillo chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 lbs turkey thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 4 medium roma tomatoes
- 3 whole dried guajillo chilies
- 1 medium white onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cooked white rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place 4 medium roma tomatoes, 1 medium quartered white onion, and 4 peeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until the vegetables are soft and slightly charred.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, remove stems and seeds from 3 whole dried guajillo chilies and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant. Soak the toasted chilies in 1 cup hot water for 15 minutes to soften.
- Step 3: Transfer the roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, soaked guajillo chilies with their soaking water, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs turkey thighs and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, turning frequently.
- Step 5: Pour the blended sauce over the browned turkey and stir to coat. Add 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until the turkey is tender and the stew thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Serve hot with 2 cups cooked white rice, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 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 Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies?
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 medium roma tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies?
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 Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies 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 Turkey Kak’ik Stew with Roasted Tomato and Guajillo Chilies?
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.
