This Dominican Braised Chicken comes together in about 45 minutes and all in one pot for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a perfect ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Dominican Braised Chicken
Chicken
- Bone-in chicken pieces: thighs and drumsticks work great because they’ll stay juicy, trust me, nobody likes dry chicken!
- Salt and pepper: a couple pinches of each to season your chicken and enhance all those amazing flavors!
Aromatics and Vegetables
- Onion: about one medium onion, diced until translucent. It brings sweetness.
- Garlic: I use 4 cloves, minced; because garlic makes everything better, right?
- Bell pepper: color is up to you, so grab whichever ones you have on hand. They add a nice crunch.
- Carrot: thinly sliced for a bit of sweetness; a great way to include a veggie!
Spices
- Cumin and oregano: these spices are key for that amazing depth of flavor.
- Paprika: adds smokiness and a beautiful color to this dish.
Liquid Gold
- Chicken broth: about 2 cups, this is the liquid that bathes your chicken. So good, it might just make you want to sip it!
- Tomato sauce: about 1 can (8 oz); adds acidity and richness.
Optional Add-Ins
- Olives: if you want to sprinkle in some briny goodness.
- Bay leaves: just one for a nice earthy aroma.
To Serve
- Rice or mashed potatoes: perfect companions for soaking up all that sauce!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Your Chicken (5 minutes)
- Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. This initial step helps to build flavor from the get-go!
Sear the Chicken (10 minutes)
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil (like olive oil or vegetable oil). Once hot, add your chicken pieces skin-side down and sear for about 5 minutes until browned. Flip and sear another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside. The smell? Divine!
Sauté the Veggies (5-7 minutes)
- In the same pot, add your diced onion. Stir it around for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. You want it to be aromatic, making your kitchen smell amazing. Then toss in the garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the veggies soften and are colorful.
Spice Things Up (3-5 minutes)
- Next, sprinkle in the cumin, oregano, and paprika. Stir frequently until fragrant, this is when you know those spices are coming alive!
Deglaze the Pot (2 minutes)
- Grab your chicken broth and pour it in, scraping the yummy bits off the bottom of the pot. These bits are pure flavor, don’t skip this step!
Bring It All Together (20-25 minutes)
- Add the chicken back into the pot along with the tomato sauce and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let chicken cook for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is tender and pulls away from the bone.
Finishing Touches (5 minutes)
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you’re using olives, toss them in during the last few minutes of cooking. The best part is, you can always add more garlic or spices as you go!
Personal Touch: Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something hearty and comforting! The warmth of the spices, the juicy chicken, and that rich sauce just makes my heart sing, it feels like a hug on a plate. I’m a real sucker for meals that are not only easy to make but also allow me to clean out my fridge. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand!
Every time I whip up this Dominican Braised Chicken, my kids rush into the kitchen, asking what’s for dinner. It’s like a little tradition we have, and it brings such a cozy feel to our home. I know you’ll love it just as much as we do!
If you loved this Dominican Braised Chicken, be sure to check out my Chicken Breast in Creamy Mushroom Sauce, my Delicious Cream Chicken, or my Easy Mustard Chicken!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
- This incredible dish comes together in under 1 hour! That’s right, quick weeknight dinners just got a major upgrade.
One Pot Wonder
- Minimal cleanup required! Everything cooks together in one pot, making it easy to serve and even easier to clean up afterward.
Budget-Friendly
- Uses affordable, everyday ingredients. It’s a great way to get the most bang from your buck while still serving a delicious homemade meal.
Comfort Food
- Loaded with tons of flavor, this dish is the epitome of comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying, and will warm you up inside.
Customizable
- Use whatever ingredients you have. Switch up the protein to turkey or even beef, throw in different veggies, and make this dish your own!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Dominican Braised Chicken
- I love serving it over steamed rice or mashed potatoes, which absorbs all that luscious sauce. You could even pair it with a fresh green salad for some crunch!
Storage
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
- The best way to reheat this dish is on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of broth or water to keep it moisture-rich and flavorful.
Freezer Friendly
- Yes! Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stove.
Now go on and make this Dominican Braised Chicken for your family and let me know how much they love it! You’ll be amazed at how a simple dish can create so much joy around the dinner table.
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Dominican Braised Chicken
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
This incredibly delicious Dominican Braised Chicken comes together in about 45 minutes and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Bell pepper, diced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- Olives (optional)
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 2 tablespoons oil (olive or vegetable)
- Rice or mashed potatoes (for serving)
Instructions
- Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Add oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken pieces skin-side down for 5 minutes. Flip and sear another 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the cumin, oregano, and paprika. Stir frequently until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
- Add the chicken back in along with tomato sauce and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for 20-25 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add olives in the last few minutes if desired.
Notes
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Dominican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
