Juicy chicken and fork-tender potatoes stew in fragrant tomato-based broth to make sudado de pollo Colombiano. The soothing Columbian chicken stew simmers on low heat for 30 minutes, then it’s ready to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Olive Oil: Sear the chicken skin-side-down in olive oil to lock in the moisture.
- Chicken: Use bone-in and skin-on thighs, legs, or a combination to create a rich broth. You can also break down a chicken and use the whole thing.
- Onion: Onions release moisture without adding extra liquid as they cook and naturally sweeten the stew.
- Tomato: I prefer beefsteak tomatoes, but use what you have on hand.
- Garlic: I suggest using two garlic cloves, but measure with your heart.
- Spices: Flavor the Colombian chicken stew with a simple combination of salt, pepper, Sazón Goya Con Azafran, and ground cumin powder.
- Better Than Bouillon: I always keep Better Than Bouillon in my pantry and use it with water instead of chicken broth for this easy and flavorful stew recipe. However, you can also opt for homemade or store-bought chicken broth.
- Potatoes: I like creamy Yukon gold potatoes, but use what you have and cut them into 1- 1½ inch pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate. Chickpeas are a great alternative to potatoes.
- Bay Leaves: Enhance the sudado de pollo with the clove-like flavor using bay leaves.
- Cilantro: Cilantro brightens and flavors the stew and serves as a garnish.
Tools Used to Make this Recipe
You need a large, heavy-bottomed pot, or olla grande, to simmer the stew. I prefer using a Dutch oven, but a stockpot works.
How to Make Sudado de Pollo
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the chicken pieces to a mixing bowl and coat them with kosher salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Warm the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken skin side down and sear for 3 minutes. Flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Set the chicken aside.
Step 3: Flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Set the chicken aside.
Step 4: Add onions to the same pot and cook for 10 minutes until the onions become translucent and soften. Then, add garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 5: Stir in the Sazón Goya Con Azafran, cumin powder, and Better Than Bouillon.
Step 6: Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 7: Deglaze with water and nestle the chicken into the pot. Add the potatoes, bay leaves, and cilantro.
Step 8: Give the mixture a stir. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C).
Expert Tips
- Sear the chicken to lock in moisture and build flavor for the broth.
- Cut the vegetables the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Deglaze the pan with water and Better Than Bouillon or chicken broth, scraping up any seared bits at the bottom.
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Serving Suggestions
- Rice: White Rice (Arroz Blanco), Yellow Rice, Brown Rice, Basmati Rice
- Sides: Fried Ripe Plantains, Mashed Cauliflower
- Bread: Buttery Rolls, Pao de Sal
- Toppings: Sour Cream, Avocado Slices
What to do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftover stew in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze – Let the dish cool. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Sudado de pollo freezes for 2-3 months.
- Thaw – Defrost the stew in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat – Warm the leftovers on the stovetop, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sazón Goya?
Sazón Goya is a seasoning used in Colombian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Spanish, and Cuban cuisine. The packet or powder flavors the dish and adds vibrant color.
Some prominent spices in the spice blend include coriander, garlic, cumin, and annatto. The packet we use for this recipe also has saffron powder.
I can’t find Sazón seasoning. Where can I find it?
Local grocery stores should carry the seasoning, but if you still can’t find it, check local Latin or Asian markets or consider making the spice blend at home.
• 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon coriander, ground
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon ground saffron
What does sudado mean in English?
Sudado means ‘sweated,’ which is how the chicken cooks. Basting inside the Dutch oven allows the chicken to simmer with the flavor from the spices, vegetables, and the chicken itself, similar to how we prepare kedjenou from the Ivory Coast.
More Soup and Stew Recipes:
Sudado de Pollo
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks or thighs, bone-in, and skin-on
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- 2 large yellow onion, sliced ¼ -inch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet Sazón Goya Con Azafran
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon Chicken Better Than Bouillon
- 3 medium tomatoes, cut into 1- 1½ inch pieces
- 3 cups water
- 8 golden potatoes, cut into 1- 1½ inch pieces
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Add the chicken pieces to a mixing bowl and coat them with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Warm the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken skin side down and sear for 3 minutes. Flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Set the chicken aside.
- Add onions to the same pot and cook for 10 minutes until the onions become translucent and soften. Then, add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the Sazón Goya Con Azafran, cumin powder, and Better Than Bouillon. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Deglaze with water and nestle the chicken into the pot. Add the potatoes, bay leaves, and cilantro.
- Give the mixture a stir. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C).
- Sear the chicken to lock in moisture and build flavor for the broth.
- Cut the vegetables the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Deglaze the pan with water and Better Than Bouillon or chicken broth, scraping up any seared bits at the bottom.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Liam
Friday 26th of May 2023
The chicken was incredibly tender, and the potatoes soaked up all the flavor. I'm so glad I discovered this recipe and I'll definitely be making this again. This is a winner!
Emily Thompson
Friday 26th of May 2023
Wow, I just made Sudado de Pollo for the first time and it was absolutely delicious! The flavors in the tomato-based broth were so rich and comforting. The chicken turned out incredibly juicy and the potatoes were perfectly tender. It's amazing how such a flavorful stew can be ready in just 30 minutes of simmering. This recipe is a keeper and I can't wait to make it again. Thank you for sharing this delightful Colombian dish!
Shariq
Sunday 16th of October 2022
This recipe is an absolute fall hit at our house. A classic authentic Colombian stew that has so many healthy minerals along with protein and collagen. Everyone from kids to grandparents really enjoyed this recipe.
Ruby
Saturday 15th of October 2022
I found this when you posted it on Twitter and I am so glad I made it!
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 15th of October 2022
I am still figuring out the whole social media part of food blogging, but I am glad this recipe found you.