I grew up in a diverse neighborhood in New York City, and as it happens, many of my friends and relatives are of full or partial Puerto Rican descent. As a result, I’ve been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some really delicious Puerto Rican dishes. I’m still learning but I’ve been able to get a few of them down pat.  This one-dish wonder is one of my favorites.

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1—2 pounds chicken thighs, legs, wings
1 tablespoon adobo
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons sofrito
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon sazón
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1—2 carrots, chopped
Optional:
1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 cup sliced olives with pimiento, or alcaparrado

TOOLS
large (5-quart) pot, with lid
kitchen tongs
measuring cups and spoons
cooking spoon

METHOD
1. Pour oil into pot and set flame to medium. Season chicken pieces, on both sides, with adobo.
2. When oil is hot, place chicken into the pot and cook about 4 minutes per side. When chicken is browned, take it out and set it aside.
3. Add stock, tomato sauce, sofrito, cumin, sazón, potatoes, and carrots to the pot and stir.
4. When mixture begins to bubble, put the chicken back into the pot and turn pieces to coat with the sauce.
5. Turn heat down to medium-low and cover. Simmer 20—25 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are fork tender and chicken is cooked through.

NOTES & TIPS
• 1/2 tablespoon sazón = 1 packet Sazón GOYA® con Culantro y Achiote (Coriander & Annatto)
• For best results, use legs and thighs with bone in and skin on. Legs and thighs are juicier and meatier than chicken breasts which can get dry if cooked too long. If chicken thighs are large, cut them in half before cooking.
• Try not to crowd chicken as crowding may prevent even browning. Brown the pieces in batches if necessary.
• If using cilantro and olives, add to pot about five minutes before serving and stir well while the stew is still hot.
• Serve over hot white or yellow rice.

READY IN
35—40 minutes

YIELD
3—4 servings