Chilean chicken stew, or estofado de pollo, is diced chicken breast cooked with a sofrito of onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and ají de color, then simmered with carrots, potatoes, tomato sauce, and water until tender, finished with fresh parsley. It takes 30 minutes of preparation and about 30 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
It is a classic, simple, and affordable Chilean home stew, quick to make for lunch or dinner, just like beef or pork estofado.
How to Make Chilean Chicken Stew?
Remove the skin from the chicken breasts before dicing, use a good tomato sauce, and prep all the ingredients first. The onion is sautéed, the spices and carrots are added, the chicken is seared briefly, and then the tomato sauce, potatoes, and water simmer covered until the potatoes are soft.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of chicken stew contains approximately 350 kcal, 30 g of protein, 10 g of fat, 70 mg of cholesterol, 30 g of carbohydrates, 5 g of sugars, 4 g of fiber, and 400 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Chilean Chicken Stew Recipe
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 skinless chicken breasts
- 300 ml (1¼ cups) of tomato sauce
- 6 potatoes, cut into chunks
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 1 teaspoon of ají de color (Chilean paprika)
- 1 pinch of ground cumin
- 1 cup (240 ml) of water
- ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
- Fresh parsley
- Merkén (optional)
- Fine salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat, add the sliced onion, lower to medium heat, and sauté, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 to 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the finely chopped garlic, oregano, cumin, ají de color, and, if you like, a pinch of merkén, and season with salt and pepper. Add the sliced carrots and mix well. Add the diced chicken and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, potatoes, and water, stir, lower the heat, and cook covered for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Turn off the heat and let rest a couple of minutes. Serve in deep plates, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Additional Tips
Use a good tomato sauce
A quality tomato sauce, ideally homemade, makes a real difference to the depth of flavor.
Cut the potatoes evenly
Cut the potatoes into pieces of the same size so they cook evenly, and avoid stirring too much so they do not break.
Use bone in chicken
Chicken thighs or drumsticks on the bone add more flavor, although they need a few extra minutes of cooking.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | Chicken thighs | 600 g | Juicier, more flavor |
| Tomato sauce | Crushed tomatoes | 1:1 | Fresher, chunkier |
| Potatoes | Squash | Same amount | Sweeter |
| Water | Chicken broth | 1:1 | Richer |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use bone in chicken pieces?
Yes, thighs or drumsticks add more flavor to the stew, although they may need a few extra minutes to cook through.
2. How do I keep the potatoes from falling apart?
Use firm potatoes cut into large, even pieces, avoid stirring too much, and keep the heat low once the pot is covered.
3. Can I freeze this stew?
Yes, freeze it once cool in individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat over low heat or covered in the microwave, adding a little water if needed.
4. What do I serve it with?
It is a complete meal on its own, but it is also served with white rice or bread to soak up the sauce.
What Is Estofado?
In Chile, estofado is a homestyle stew of meat and vegetables simmered in a covered pot with tomato and spices. Chicken, beef, and pork versions are everyday family meals.
Benefits of Chicken
Chicken breast is a lean source of high quality protein and B vitamins, and combined with potatoes and carrots it makes a balanced, filling dish.
Did You Know?
The word estofado is related to the French étouffée, meaning smothered, a reference to cooking food slowly in a covered pot so it absorbs all its aromas.
