Pollo Guisado
Nothing makes me happier than enjoying a bowl of pollo guisado – my favorite comfort food dish, especially when the weather is cold. This is my go-to chicken stew recipe that is huge on flavor and my family loves it. I probably make this as often as I make picadillo, and if you’ve been following for a while, then you know how much we love picadillo! I have many variations of this recipe, like my Instant Pot Latin Chicken Stew with Corn and Sofrito Chicken Stew. Another chicken stew we love is this Paprika Chicken Stew.
What is pollo guisado?
Pollo guisado (pronounced po-yo gee-sah-do) translates to “chicken stew” in English. This stew has several variations as it is very popular in many countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The recipes slightly vary by country and even from house to house. Since I am half Colombian and my husband is half Puerto Rican, this recipe is inspired by both countries. I’ve also had this dish in Dominican Republic and tasted very similar to mine. Sometimes I add potatoes, or corn or omit the olives. A beef version of this would be carne guisada.
Kid Friendly Comfort Food Easy and economic Dietary Restrictions: It’s gluten-free, Weight Watchers-friendly, dairy-free, and anti-inflammatory.
If you make this pollo guisado recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
Pollo Guisado Ingredients
Here are the ingredients I use to make pollo guisado. See exact measurements in the recipe card below:
Chicken – I use bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks – don’t use boneless. The bone adds so much flavor to the stew but I removed the skin to make it a bit healthier, and to be honest you don’t miss it. If you prefer white meat, bone-in chicken breast works fine. Spanish Olives and the olive brine give this dish lots of flavor. If you don’t like olives you can omit and add more salt, to taste. Seasoning – Adobo and Sazon are typically used in Puerto Rico and add so much flavor to this stew. Cumin and bay leaf are also added for flavor. If using sazon, look for Sazon with Achiote, or make your own sazon from scratch. Tomato Sauce – or tomato paste can be used Chicken bouillon adds great flavor, if you prefer to omit add salt to taste. Aromatics and Herbs – Scallions, Garlic, Cilantro
How To Make Pollo Guisado
Here’s the step by step directions to make pollo guisado. See exact recipe in recipe card below.
How to Serve Pollo Guisado
Eat this Latin chicken stew over white rice to soak up all the juices, or top it with avocado and a quick cabbage slaw on the side.
Freezer Tips:
To freeze any leftovers, transfer to an air-tight freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stove, in the pressure cooker, or microwave.
More Chicken Stew Recipes You’ll Love:
Colombian Chicken Sancocho Paprika Chicken Stew Chicken and Andouille Sausage Stew Jamaican Coconut Brown Stew Chicken Chicken Cassoulet with Sausage and Swiss Chard
