Pollo Guisado Puerto Rican Recipe With Rice: Island Flavors in One Pot
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love This Puerto Rican Pollo Guisado
Pollo Guisado is one of Puerto Rico's most beloved comfort foods. Chicken is slowly braised in a flavorful tomato and sofrito sauce with peppers, potatoes, olives, garlic, and traditional seasonings until incredibly tender. The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over fluffy white rice, making every bite warm, comforting, and full of island flavor.
This one-pot meal is easy enough for weeknight dinners while remaining authentic enough for family gatherings and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons sofrito
- 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 packet sazón seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup sliced green olives with pimentos
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
1. Brown the Chicken
Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Build the Flavor Base
In the same pot, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened. Stir in the sofrito, tomato sauce, paprika, cumin, oregano, and sazón. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Stew
Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth, potatoes, olives, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle boil.
4. Cook Until Tender
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes until the chicken is fall-apart tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
5. Finish
Remove the bay leaves and stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
6. Serve
Spoon the pollo guisado generously over hot steamed white rice and garnish with additional cilantro if desired.
Expert Tips
Browning the chicken before simmering adds deep flavor to the stew. Bone-in chicken produces a richer broth, while homemade sofrito delivers the most authentic Puerto Rican taste. Allow the stew to simmer gently rather than boil vigorously for the most tender meat.
Storage
Store leftover pollo guisado in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freeze the stew without the rice for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with fluffy white rice, arroz con gandules, fried sweet plantains (maduros), avocado slices, tostones, black beans, or a crisp green salad for a complete Puerto Rican-inspired meal.
Recipe Variations
Add carrots or peas for extra vegetables, substitute boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking, include capers for extra briny flavor, add diced yuca for a heartier stew, or finish with fresh lime juice for added brightness.
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