Guatemalan Chicken with Pineapple Pollo En Pina
Delight your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Guatemalan Chicken with Pineapple, or Pollo en Piña, a traditional dish that beautifully balances sweet and savory elements. Tender, golden-seared chicken thighs are simmered in a luscious sauce infused with juicy pineapple chunks, rich tomato sauce, and a hint of brown sugar for irresistible caramelized notes. The addition of bell peppers, onions, and garlic layers the dish with aromatic depth, while soy sauce and fresh cilantro tie the flavors together with a savory, herbaceous finish. Perfectly suited for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this one-pot wonder is both comforting and exotic. Serve it with fluffy rice and a squeeze of tangy lime for a meal that’s as vibrant as the Guatemalan culture itself. Ready in just an hour and sure to impress, Pollo en Piña is your ticket to a tropical flavor adventure!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 pieces lime wedges, for serving
- 4 cups rice, cooked (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and paprika on both sides.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the pineapple chunks, tomato sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Mix well.
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the chicken simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Uncover and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top before serving.
Serve hot with lime wedges on the side and optional cooked rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3682 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 133.2 g | 171% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.1 g | 170% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 846 mg | 282% | |
| Sodium | 5148 mg | 224% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 340.5 g | 124% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.2 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 82.0 g | ||
| Protein | 270.2 g | 540% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 376 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 14.8 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 3913 mg | 83% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
