Chicken In Pineapple-Guatemala(Pollo En Pina)
A flavorful Guatemalan dish featuring tender chicken simmered with pineapple, spices, and aromatics, offering a sweet and savory profile perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 to 4 lb. chicken, cut into serving pieces ⓘ
- 1 ripe pineapple, about 1 1/2 lb. peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 2 medium onions finely chopped ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic minced ⓘ
- 2 whole cloves ⓘ
- 1 inch piece of stick cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dry sherry ⓘ
- 2 medium tomatoes peeled and diced ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Put the chicken into a heavy saucepan or casserole dish.
- If using fresh pineapple, save all the juice and coarsely chop the pineapple; if using canned pineapple, use the juice from the can.
- Add the chicken, pineapple (with juice if canned), chopped onions, minced garlic, cloves, cinnamon stick, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the dish.
- If using fresh pineapple, add chicken stock if necessary to cover the chicken pieces.
- Cover and simmer over low heat until the chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.
- If the sauce is abundant, cook partially covered for the last 15 minutes.
- Serve with rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the dry sherry and spices for a few hours before cooking. If fresh pineapple isn't available, canned pineapple works well; just use its juice. Adjust the seasoning to taste, and feel free to add bell peppers or carrots for extra color and nutrition. This dish is reminiscent of other chicken recipes that incorporate fruit for sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken In Pineapple over white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. A side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad complements the dish nicely. This recipe pairs beautifully with Apricot And Walnut Brown Rice Stuffing for a hearty meal. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Chicken In Pineapple can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock if the sauce has thickened. It can also be reheated in the microwave until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken In Pineapple-Guatemala(Pollo En Pina) contains roughly 617 calories, with 15g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (40% of the Daily Value), iron (36% of the Daily Value), and protein (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1523mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other meats instead of chicken?
Yes, this recipe can be adapted to use pork or turkey. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different meats may require different cooking durations to become tender.
What if I don't have dry sherry?
If you don't have dry sherry on hand, you can substitute it with white wine or even apple juice for a non-alcoholic option. The goal is to add acidity and depth to the dish.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, incorporate sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking. Adjust the amount to your spice preference for a flavorful kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).