Jocon de Pollo

Jocon de Pollo is one of Guatemala's most popular traditional chicken dishes. The generous handfuls of cilantro, scallions, mint, tomatillos, and green jalapeno chiles, also known as chicken in salsa verde in Mexico, really make this emerald green stew shine.

Jocon de Pollo is a recado, a meal style that is a cornerstone of traditional Guatemalan Mayan cuisine. A recado is usually a thick stew with a sauce. In Guatemala's highlands, it's frequently cooked over an open fire in an outdoor stove. While the smokiness of the fire adds a unique flavor to Guatemalan dishes, most urban cooks prepare their stews and soups (caldos) on the stove.

Guatemala's traditional soups and stews take full advantage of the fabulous fresh ingredients found in the country's outdoor markets, whether prepared over an open fire or on a stove top. Every day, vendors bring fresh seasonal vegetables, fruit, and herbs grown in the fertile valleys to the markets.