Honduran Chicken in Nance and Dried Chile Sauce with Red Bean Patties

Name: Honduran Chicken in Nance and Dried Chile Sauce with Red Bean Patties
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Hondureña
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 cup ripe nance fruit; 2 cups cooked red beans; 2 medium ripe tomatoes; 1 1/4 cups white onion; 4 cloves garlic; 2 large dried pasilla-style chile; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1/2 cup pre-cooked cornmeal; 1 large egg; 1 tsp ground annatto; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 cup sour orange juice; 1 cup chicken broth; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp grated panela; 1 piece banana leaves

An original recipe inspired by Honduran flavors: seared chicken thighs finished in a sweet-savory nance, fire-roasted tomato, and dried chile sauce, served with crispy red bean patties and a fresh touch of cilantro.

25 minPrep

40 minCook

65 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en pieces large)
180 g ripe nance fruit (without semillas if possible)
400 g cooked red beans (escurridos)
300 g ripe tomatoes (whole for roasting)
180 g white onion (the mitad for the sauce and the mitad chopped fina for the tortitas)
12 g garlic (divided entre sauce and tortitas)
12 g dried pasilla-style chile (without semillas)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
60 g pre-cooked cornmeal (for ligar the tortitas)
50 g egg (beaten)
3 g ground annatto (for dar color and sabor)
2 g ground cumin (divided)
1 g dried oregano
60 ml sour orange juice (si no hay, usar mezcla of orange and lemon)
240 ml chicken broth (for ajustar the sauce)
45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
8 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
12 g grated panela (for balancear the acidez)
1 piece banana leaves (optional, for mantener hot the tortitas)

Nutrition facts

per serving

462 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

27 g

Carbs

23 g

Fat

7 g

Fiber

20 g

Net carbs

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

Eggs

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F / 220 °C. Place the tomatoes, half of the onion, and 2 garlic cloves on a tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and roast for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are deeply blistered in spots.
2
2. Meanwhile, place the dried chile in a bowl with hot water for 10 minutes to soften. Drain.
3
3. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, annatto, half of the cumin, and the sour orange juice. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
4
4. For the patties, mash the red beans in a bowl until rustic but cohesive. Add the remaining finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, half of the cilantro, pre-cooked cornmeal, egg, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and form 8 compact patties.
5
5. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and firm. Transfer to a plate; if desired, cover with a clean banana leaf to keep warm.
6
6. Blend the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion, roasted garlic, softened dried chile, nance, panela, chicken broth, and the remaining cumin until you have a thick, smooth sauce.
7
7. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
8
8. Reduce to medium heat and pour the blended sauce over the chicken. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
9
9. Taste the sauce and adjust with the remaining salt if needed. Add the rest of the cilantro and cook 1 more minute for freshness.
10
10. Serve the chicken covered with the nance sauce alongside the hot red bean patties.

Chef tips

If the nance is very tart, add 1 extra teaspoon of panela. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a little more chicken broth, 2 tablespoons at a time.

Substitutions

You can use bone-in chicken thighs, adding about 8 to 10 minutes to the cooking time. If you cannot find sour orange, mix 2 tablespoons orange juice with 2 tablespoons lime juice. Nance can be replaced with yellow native plums, 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 image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori 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
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Illustrative image
TempPro 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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