Puerto Rican FoodSweet Potato Canoe with Coffee-Braised Chicken, Tender Pigeon Peas and Queso del País
An original Puerto Rican recipe that turns roasted sweet potatoes into edible canoes filled with sofrito-braised chicken, a touch of coffee, and tender pigeon peas, finished with melted queso del país. It brings together classic island flavors in a homey yet elegant presentation.
Ingredients
- 4 approx. 1000 g medium sweet potatoes (lavadas and dry)
- 30 ml olive oil (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 600 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut diced small)
- 120 g Puerto Rican sofrito (casero or preparado)
- 120 g yellow onion (chopped en cubitos)
- 60 g sweet chili pepper (chopped)
- 12 g garlic (chopped)
- 30 g tomato paste
- 120 ml strong black coffee (preparado and without sugar)
- 180 ml chicken broth
- 170 g cooked tender pigeon peas (escurridos si son enlatados)
- 1 g dried oregano
- 1 g ground cumin
- 30 g green olives (sliced)
- 15 ml apple cider vinegar
- 120 g queso del país (grated or desmenuzado)
- 8 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 14 g butter (for terminar the batatas)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking tray, prick them several times with a fork, and rub them with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes at 425°F / 220°C, until tender in the center.
- 2
While the sweet potatoes roast, season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- 3
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and brown for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Add the onion, sweet chili pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the sofrito and cook 2 more minutes until fragrant.
- 5
Add the tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute, stirring well. Pour in the strong black coffee, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar; scrape the bottom of the pan to blend the flavors.
- 6
Add the tender pigeon peas and green olives. Cook over medium-low heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is thick and glossy. Adjust with the remaining salt and more black pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro.
- 7
When the sweet potatoes are ready, let them rest for 5 minutes. Make a long slit across the top of each one and gently open to form a canoe. Remove a little flesh from the center without breaking the skin and mash it with the butter inside each potato.
- 8
Fill each sweet potato canoe with the chicken and pigeon pea stew. Divide the queso del país on top.
- 9
Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes at 425°F / 220°C, until the cheese melts. For a deeper golden finish, broil for 1 to 2 additional minutes, watching closely.
- 10
Serve hot, spooning any tray juices over the top if desired.
Chef tips
If the sweet potatoes are very large, you can serve half a potato per person with a salad on the side. For deeper flavor, use dark-roast coffee and a sofrito rich in recao and sweet peppers.
Substitutions
You can substitute the chicken thighs with chicken breast, though the filling will be slightly less juicy. If queso del país is unavailable, use any mild semi-soft melting cheese. Tender pigeon peas can be replaced with cooked pink beans, though the flavor profile will change.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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