Colombian Stewed Chicken with Achiote and Yam

Name: Colombian Stewed Chicken with Achiote and Yam
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D1H45M
Total time: PT0D1H45M
Yield: 6–8
Ingredients: One 4–5 lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces; 18 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 10 ají dulce peppers, finely chopped; 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped; 1 large tomato, coarsely chopped; 1 large yam, peeled and coarsely chopped; 3 Tbsp. cumin seeds; 2 Tbsp. achiote (annatto) powder; 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice; Kosher salt; 4 cups coconut milk

Rich with coconut milk and fragrant with garlic, this one-pot dish highlights the sweet and mild flavor of ají dulce peppers.

Serves
6–8
Time
1 hour 45 minutes

JUAN ARREDONDO

By Víctor Simarra Reyes

Published on August 22, 2024

This dish is an ode to the tropical landscape and flavors that inform Colombia’s cuisine. Chef Víctor Simarra Reyes highlights yam, chicken, and cassava—all significant ingredients in African foodways—and uses achiote to enhance the region’s spicy, fruity, and peppery tastes. Sweet ají dulce peppers are plentiful in northern Colombia, and in this dish they play a starring role. If you’re unable to find them, you may substitute another mild, thin-fleshed green chile, such as shishito or cubanelle peppers.

Featured in “Colombia and West Africa Unite on the Plate in this Fascinating Food Town,” by Kayla Stewart.

Ingredients

One 4–5 lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
18 garlic cloves, finely chopped
10 ají dulce peppers, finely chopped
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
1 large yam, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 Tbsp. cumin seeds
2 Tbsp. achiote (annatto) powder
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
Kosher salt
4 cups coconut milk

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Instructions

Step 1

To a large pot, add the chicken, garlic, peppers, onion, tomato, yam, cumin, achiote, and lime juice and toss to combine. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Add the coconut milk, bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and yam are tender, about 1½ hours. Remove from heat, season with salt to taste, and serve hot.

To a large pot, add the chicken, garlic, peppers, onion, tomato, yam, cumin, achiote, and lime juice and toss to combine. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
Add the coconut milk, bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and yam are tender, about 1½ hours. Remove from heat, season with salt to taste, and serve hot.