One-Pan Wonder: Homemade Sofrito Chicken with Vibrant Flavor (Serves 2-3 People)
This recipe transforms ordinary chicken breasts into a vibrant and flavorful dish using a homemade sofrito base. Sofrito, a traditional Puerto Rican condiment, is a blend of aromatic vegetables simmered together, creating a concentrated and flavorful paste. This recipe incorporates sofrito into a simple pan sauce that infuses the chicken with its unique taste. It’s a quick and easy one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights or a casual weekend dinner.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
- Homemade Sofrito: This recipe uses fresh ingredients to create a flavorful sofrito from scratch, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
- Easy One-Pan Cooking: Everything cooks in one pan, minimizing cleanup and simplifying the cooking process.
- Customizable: Feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less adobo seasoning or chili flakes. You can also add different vegetables like bell peppers or green beans for extra texture.
- Budget-Friendly: Chicken breasts are an affordable protein, and the sofrito ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores.
Ingredients:
For the Sofrito:
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 cubanelle pepper (optional), seeded and chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
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Make the Sofrito: In a food processor, combine chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cubanelle pepper (if using), onion, garlic, and cilantro. Pulse until finely chopped. Alternatively, you can mince the vegetables by hand. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sofrito mixture and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant.
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Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with adobo seasoning, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
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Sear the Chicken: Once the sofrito is softened, carefully add the chicken breasts to the pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
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Simmer and Flavor: Pour in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the chicken and sauce to a plate. Garnish with additional chopped fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with your favorite sides like rice, beans, or roasted vegetables.
Tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your pan is too small, cook the chicken breasts in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it uncovered for a few additional minutes after the chicken is cooked.
- Bone-In Chicken Option: Feel free to use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts instead. However, adjust the cooking time accordingly as bone-in chicken takes longer to cook through.
- Leftovers: Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
How Many People Does This Serve?
This recipe is easily scalable depending on your needs. It comfortably serves 2-3 people with a moderate portion of chicken and flavorful sauce.
- To serve 4-5 people, simply double the recipe ingredients.
- You can also adjust the amount of chicken used based on desired portion sizes.