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Pepián de pollo
Put the chicken in a stockpot with the water, half the onion, two garlic cloves, coriander stalks and salt. Bring to a simmer and skim. Cook 25 minutes, then add potato and squash for 15 minutes more and the green beans for the last 5.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Pepián de pollo take?
2 hr 5 min all in — 35 min prep, 1 hr 30 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Sesame. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Dairy-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Comal or dry skillet, Blender, Frying pan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 2 tsp.
What can I use instead?
Fresh tomatillos → Tinned tomatillos, drained. Skip the charring step for them and add straight to the blender. Squash → Chayote (güisquil). This is the traditional vegetable; use it whenever a Latin grocer has it.
What should I watch for?
Sesame goes from toasted to bitter in about twenty seconds.
Any tips from this recipe?
The sauce should be the colour of an old brick, not orange. If it is pale, your tortilla and chillies were not dark enough. Pepián thickens as it cools. Loosen leftovers with a splash of water before reheating. Some families add a spoon of ground achiote for colour. It is not wrong; it is just not necessary if you charred properly.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.