Sudado de Pollo (Colombian Braised Chicken with Potatoes)
In short: Chicken pieces gently stewed with potatoes, tomato, onion and cumin in a light sauce, a homey Colombian weekday dinner served over rice. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 810 kcal
Sudado means sweated, and that is exactly how this chicken cooks: slowly, covered, in the steam from onions, tomatoes and a little water until the meat is tender. Potatoes soak up the sauce and turn soft and savory. It is an everyday Colombian dinner, served over white rice with a simple salad or fried plantain. The marinade needs only an hour, and the pot does most of the work.
Instructions
- Rub the chicken with the garlic, cumin, salt, pepper and lime juice. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per side, then set it aside.
- In the same pot, cook the onion, scallions and bell pepper over medium heat for 6 minutes, until soft. Add the tomatoes and annatto and cook for 5 minutes, until they break down into a sauce.
- Return the chicken to the pot, pour in the water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, pushing them into the sauce. Cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through (74°C / 165°F at the thickest part).
- Uncover for the last 5 minutes if the sauce is thin. Stir in the cilantro, taste, adjust the salt and serve over the rice.
Tips
- Keep the water to 250 ml (1 cup). The vegetables release liquid as they cook, and the sauce should end up light but not watery.
- Add 2 chopped carrots or a cup of peas with the potatoes for extra vegetables, and stir in a spoonful of tomato paste if you want a deeper color.
Questions and answers
What does sudado mean?
It means sweated or steamed. The chicken cooks covered with only a little liquid, so it stews in its own juices and the steam from the vegetables.
Can I make sudado de pollo ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and the flavor deepens overnight. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water.
Can I use chicken breast instead?
Yes, but add it later and cook it for about 25 minutes in the sauce so it stays juicy. Thighs and drumsticks are more forgiving and have more flavor.
How long does it take to make Sudado de Pollo (Colombian Braised Chicken with Potatoes)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sudado de Pollo (Colombian Braised Chicken with Potatoes)?
About 810 kcal per serving, with 47 g of protein, 87 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 810 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 47 g |
| Carbohydrates | 87 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
