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    Home » Puerto Rican Recipes » Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

    Published: Mar 7, 2019 Modified: Mar 21, 2025 by Catherine Arena 14 Comments

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

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    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) Pinterest image.
    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) Pinterest image.

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) is comfort food at its best! Juicy, fall-apart chicken cooks in a rich, savory sauce with potatoes, carrots, and spices. Serve it with arroz blanco for a fully authentic meal!

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) cooked in a caldero pot with a side of white rice and avocado.

    Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, you were sure to have Pollo Guisado at least once a week, and of course, I never minded. The smell of the chicken cooking in a savory “guiso” sauce, filled the house. I remember sneaking peeks at the pot as a kid, waiting for the sauce to thicken and for mami to serve it with either arroz blanco or arroz amarillo, (Puerto Rican yellow rice). The chicken cooks to juicy perfection, falling off the bone, while the potatoes and carrots soak up all the flavors.

    To this day, this dish is made at least once a week in my home. And bonus, you will love how easy it is to put this dish together. You simply toss all the ingredients, chicken, carrots, potatoes, olives, and spices, into one pot, let it cook for 40 minutes, and voilà! A delicious, comforting meal is ready to enjoy! So if you’re looking for a true authentic Puerto Rican chicken dish, this is a must make!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make pollo guisado (Puerto Rican chicken stew).

    Step By Step Instructions

    Chicken seasoned in a mixing bowl.

    Step 1: Rinse the chicken and season with adobo.

    Seasonings added to the pollo guisado.

    Step 2: In a caldero or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken, sofrito, sazón, garlic, oregano, chicken bouillon, tomato sauce, olives, and bay leaf.

    Water added to the pot.

    Step 3: Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.

    The carrots, potatoes and cilantro added to the pot.

    Step 4: Add the carrots, potatoes, and cilantro, then cover. Cook over medium heat for another 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is fall off the bone tender.

    Pro Tip:

    • If using a whole chicken, set aside the breast pieces and add them during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent them from drying out.
    • Instead of using water, you can use chicken broth or 24 ounces of a light beer.
    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) cooked in a caldero.

    Other Chicken Dishes You Will Love

    • Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice (Arroz con Pollo) served in a white serving dish with a side of habichuelas guisadas (Puerto Rican stewed beans).
      Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice (Arroz con Pollo)
    • Pollo a la Plancha served on a white platter topped with onions and a side of grilled scallions.
      Authentic Pollo a la Plancha
    • Alas de Pollo al Horno (Alitas-Baked Chicken Wings) served on a white platter with a side of ranch and barbecue sauce.
      Alas de Pollo al Horno
    • Alitas de Pollo Fritas (Puerto Rican Fried Chicken Wings) served in a cast iron casserole with a side of mayoketchup and creamy garlic aioli.
      Alitas de Pollo Fritas

    Did you try this recipe? Please leave a ⭐ review below!

    Click any of the images in the post to PIN this Recipe and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest and Facebook.

    📖 Recipe

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) cooked in a caldero pot with a side of white rice and avocado.

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

    Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) is comfort food at its best! Juicy, fall-apart chicken cooks in a rich, savory sauce with potatoes, carrots, and spices. Serve it with arroz blanco for a fully authentic meal!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Puerto Rican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 396kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds whole chicken or combination of wings, thighs and drumsticks cut up and chicken breast cut into 2-inch chunks
    • 1 cup potatoes cut into large chunks
    • 2 carrots cut
    • ⅓ cup olives stuffed with pimientos
    • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro rinsed and chopped
    • 4 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil

    Spices

    • 1 packet Sazón seasoning with Annatto
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • adobo sprinkled on chicken pieces
    • 2 garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 3 tablespoons Puerto Rican sofrito homemade or store bought
    • 2 large chicken bouillon cubes or 4 small cubes
    • ¼ cup tomato sauce
    • 1-2 dried bay leaves depending on how large they are
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Rinse the chicken and season with adobo.
    • In a caldero or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken, sofrito, sazón, garlic, oregano, chicken bouillon, tomato sauce, olives, and bay leaf.
      Note: If using a whole chicken, set aside the breast pieces and add them during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent them from drying out.
    • Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
    • Add the carrots, potatoes, and cilantro, then cover. Cook over medium heat for another 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is fall off the bone tender.

    Notes

    Recipe Notes:
    Water: Instead of using water, you can use chicken broth or 24 ounces of a light beer.
    Serving Ideas:
    • Puerto Rican white rice and garlic tostones (fried green plantains) 
    • Puerto Rican yellow rice (arroz amarillo) and avocado
    • mashed potatoes and crusty bread
    Storing and Reheating:
    Allow the pot to cool and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on medium-low heat with an additional cup of water. You can also store in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4 | Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

    More Puerto Rican Recipes

    • Empanadillas de Guayaba on a gray plate.
      Empanadillas de Guayaba
    • Alcapurrias de Yuca (Cassava Fritters) sitting on top of plantain leaves with a side of hot sauce.
      Authentic Alcapurrias de Yuca
    • Flancocho (Vanilla Flan Cake) served on a white transparent platter with a serving on the side.
      Puerto Rican Flancocho
    • Alcapurrias (alcapurrias puertorriqueñas) served on a white platter with hot sauce.
      Homemade Alcapurrias

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JoAnn Grimes Torres says

      April 01, 2025 at 12:53 pm

      I cannot wait to make this…It reminds me a bit of sancocho. I’ll post after making it, and let you know….Can’t wait.

      Reply
      • Catherine Arena says

        April 01, 2025 at 6:57 pm

        Thank you JoAnn, I hope you love it as much as we do!

        Reply
    2. Stefany says

      August 28, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      I made this recipe tonight and it turned out SO good. I did not make any changes to the ingredients, and I used my Instant Pot (Manual 25mins). After I let the pressure out, and within 25 mins it was ready to eat. We paired it with rice, and the kids (ages 8,6,3) LOVED it! I’m Costa Rican, and we have a similar way to make this. It’s the PERFECT comfort food. Will be on my recipe rotation moving forward. SUPER RICO!!!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        August 29, 2021 at 11:10 am

        Hello Stefany! So happy to hear all of you enjoyed it so much! I have made it in the instant pot several times myself and love it too! So much faster and you’re not losing quality of taste in the dish! YUM! Would love to make it Costa Rican style! Let me know if you have any suggestions! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you and your family enjoyed it and rating it! Appreciate you much!

        Reply
    3. kim says

      March 13, 2019 at 9:54 am

      This recipe is so easy and has so much flavor! It’s a new go-to!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        March 13, 2019 at 10:29 am

        Great Kim! So happy to hear that!

        Reply
    4. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says

      March 13, 2019 at 8:35 am

      This really is a perfect comfort and warming meal. The kind of thing you’d look forward to after a busy day, especially on a cold day. Full of wholesome goodness.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        March 13, 2019 at 10:30 am

        Thanks Helen! Yes it is!! It’s just perfect!

        Reply
    5. Noelle says

      March 13, 2019 at 8:16 am

      I can’t wait to make this recipe using my own herbs and spices this spring. Everything is better fresh!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        March 13, 2019 at 10:31 am

        Fresh herbs! Perfect!

        Reply
    6. Kelly Anthony says

      March 13, 2019 at 8:08 am

      I have never had stew with olives before but I’m sure it adds the perfect saltiness to the dish. I’m excited to try this new recipe.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        March 13, 2019 at 10:32 am

        The olives taste delicious in this stew, I think you will love them here!

        Reply
    7. Linda says

      March 13, 2019 at 7:48 am

      Love fixing one pot meals during the busy work week. This looks absolutely delicious and love the fact that all the veggies and potatoes can all be thrown in the pot at the same time. Add some rice to soak up all the gravy and this is one meal that would satisfy the whole family.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        March 13, 2019 at 10:34 am

        Thank you Linda! Yes that’s one of the things I love about this dish is the fact that everything could be thrown in a pot and a hyper delicious meal is the outcome!! Yummy wholesome goodness!!

        Reply
    5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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