Jocón (Guatemalan Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce)
In short: Chicken simmered in a tangy green sauce of tomatillos, cilantro and scallions, thickened with toasted sesame and pumpkin seeds. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Jocón is a green stew from the Guatemalan highlands, and it looks very different from its red cousin pepián. Chicken cooks in a bright sauce of tomatillos, cilantro and scallions, thickened with ground toasted seeds and a little corn tortilla. It is tangy, herby and slightly nutty, and mild enough for children. Families serve it for Sunday lunch with white rice and a stack of warm tortillas, and leftovers reheat well.
Instructions
- Put the chicken, onion, 2 of the garlic cloves, salt and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim, then simmer for 25 minutes. Lift out the chicken and strain the broth.
- Simmer the tomatillos in a pan of water for 6 to 8 minutes until they turn olive green and soft. Drain.
- Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet for about 3 minutes until puffed and golden, then toast the sesame seeds for 1 minute.
- Blend the tomatillos, scallions, cilantro, chile, bell pepper, remaining garlic, seeds, tortillas and 500 ml (2 cups) of the broth until smooth, in batches if needed.
- Heat the oil in the large pot over medium heat and pour in the sauce. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes until it darkens slightly and thickens.
- Add the chicken and 500 ml (2 cups) of broth. Simmer partly covered for 20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) and the sauce coats a spoon. Season with salt.
- Serve in shallow bowls with rice and warm tortillas.
Tips
- Tomatillos give the sour edge. Without them, use firm green tomatoes with a squeeze of lime, though the flavor is less bright.
- Remove the chile seeds for a mild stew, or skip the chile entirely for a child-friendly version.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between jocón and pepián?
Jocón is green, built on tomatillos, cilantro and scallions, while pepián has a dark red-brown sauce of roasted tomatoes and dried chilies. Both are thickened with ground seeds.
Can I make jocón ahead of time?
Yes. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days. The sauce thickens, so add a splash of water when you reheat it.
Can jocón be frozen?
Yes, for up to 3 months in airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat gently and stir well, since the seeds can separate.
How long does it take to make Jocón (Guatemalan Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jocón (Guatemalan Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce)?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
