Estofado de Pollo

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A practical one-pan meal rooted in traditional Mexican flavors. This Estofado de Pollo recipe features tender bone-in chicken, soft golden potatoes, and a rich tomato-based sauce that's both comforting and deeply savory. Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight or craving something cozy and homey, this dish is sure to satisfy with minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

To make this comforting and flavorful Estofado de Pollo, you’ll only need a handful of wholesome, pantry-friendly ingredients—each one playing a specific role in building bold, traditional Mexican flavor. Here’s what goes into it and why it works so well:
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks – Using bone-in pieces not only keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender during simmering, but also adds depth and richness to the sauce as it cooks. The crispy sear on the skin adds texture and an extra layer of flavor you just can’t get from boneless cuts.
Golden potatoes – These hold their shape beautifully in the stew while becoming fork-tender and creamy inside. They absorb the flavorful sauce like little sponges, making every bite satisfying and hearty.
Fresh carrots and jalapeños – Carrots add natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while sliced jalapeños bring a mild heat and earthy depth without overwhelming the dish. They’re essential for layering flavor.
Roma tomatoes, garlic, and onion – Blended into the base sauce, this trio forms the soul of many traditional Mexican stews. Tomatoes give body and tang, garlic adds warmth, and onion provides a mellow sweetness that rounds everything out.
Cumin, chicken bouillon & tomato bouillon – These seasonings do the heavy lifting. Cumin adds smokiness, chicken bouillon brings umami, and tomato bouillon amplifies the rich, saucy base. Together, they create a stew that’s deeply savory and undeniably comforting.
Avocado oil – Perfect for high-heat searing, avocado oil has a neutral flavor that lets the spices and ingredients shine while locking in moisture during the browning process.
Water, salt, and pepper – These final basics pull everything together, thinning the sauce just enough for simmering and helping the flavors meld beautifully.
This Estofado de Pollo recipe is more than a one-pan dinner—it’s a nourishing, flavor-packed dish rooted in tradition, perfect for cozy family meals or meal prepping something delicious for the week.

Tips & Tricks for Success

Use a cast iron or enameled Dutch oven for even heat distribution.
Cut your potatoes into even cubes so they cook at the same rate.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a bit of broth or water to loosen it up.
For more spice, leave the jalapeño seeds in—or add an extra!

Serving Suggestions

Steamed white rice
Warm corn or flour tortillas
A side of Frijoles de la Olla or Mexican red rice
Light salad like our Cucumber Lime Slaw

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with boneless chicken?

Yes, but bone-in chicken adds more depth and richness to the sauce. If using boneless, reduce the cooking time slightly.

How spicy is it?

The jalapeños provide a gentle warmth. For more heat, keep the seeds, or use serrano peppers.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Definitely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

What can I substitute for tomato bouillon?

If you don’t have tomato bouillon, you can use a bit of tomato paste and extra salt or a chicken bouillon cube.

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Estofado de Pollo

Anahi

Estofado de pollo is the soft, everyday comfort my mom leaned on, chicken simmered slow with vegetables in a savory tomato broth until the whole thing tasted like a long exhale. With both my parents working restaurant hours, a forgiving one-pot meal like this was a quiet kind of love. You start it, let it bubble, and trust it to handle dinner while life keeps moving. I make it now on the evenings I need that same softness. A humble stew has a way of telling you to sit down because you have done enough for today.

This Estofado de Pollo recipe is a cozy, one-pan Mexican stew made with bone-in chicken, golden potatoes, carrots, and jalapeños simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or traditional comfort food cravings.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients

3 chicken thighs bone in - skin on
4 chicken drumsticks bone in - skin on
3 carrots large
3 jalapeños sliced
4 golden potatoes sliced thin

For the sauce

5 roma tomatoes
¼ white onion
3 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
salt and pepper to tast
1 cup water

Instructions

Sear the chicken to build flavor
Heat a generous drizzle of avocado oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs and drumsticks skin-side down and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.This step locks in flavor—don’t skip it!

Sauté the vegetables

In the same pan (leave the flavorful bits!), add chopped carrots, sliced jalapeños, and cubed golden potatoes. Sauté for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.If needed, add another splash of oil.

Blend the sauce

While veggies are cooking, blend the Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, water, cumin, chicken bouillon, tomato bouillon, salt, and pepper until completely smooth.Use a high-speed blender or do it in batches if necessary.

Simmer the sauce

Pour the blended sauce into the pan with the vegetables. Stir well to coat everything, then let simmer for 1–2 minutes to begin reducing slightly.

Return the chicken and cook through

Nestle the browned chicken pieces into the sauce, making sure they’re partially submerged. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.Check occasionally to ensure nothing sticks; add a splash of water if needed.