Colombian Chicken in Lulo Herb Sauce with Creamy Sweet Corn Mote

Name: Colombian Chicken in Lulo Herb Sauce with Creamy Sweet Corn Mote
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Colombiana
Ingredients: about 2.6 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp annatto powder; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup scallions; 1 cup white onion; 4 cloves garlic; 1 cup ripe tomato; 1 cup lulo; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 10.5 oz baby yellow potatoes; 2 cups sweet corn kernels; 1 cup milk; 1 cup water; 1 1/2 tbsp butter; 1/4 cup pre-cooked yellow cornmeal; 3 oz fresh farmer's cheese; 1 tbsp lime juice

An original Colombian-inspired recipe featuring chicken thighs seared and gently simmered in a sweet-tart lulo sauce with light hogao and cilantro, served over a creamy sweet corn and baby potato mote. The result is a comforting, fragrant, deeply home-style dish.

25 minPrep

55 minCook

80 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

8 approx. 1.2 kg bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (secados with papel of cocina)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
2 g ground cumin
2 g annatto powder
30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
80 g scallions (chopped finely)
120 g white onion (chopped diced small)
12 g garlic (chopped)
200 g ripe tomato (chopped finely)
240 g lulo (pulpa colada)
480 ml chicken broth (without exceso of salt)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
300 g baby yellow potatoes (peladas and partidas por the mitad)
300 g sweet corn kernels (fresh or congelado)
240 ml milk
240 ml water
20 g butter
35 g pre-cooked yellow cornmeal (for dar cuerpo al mote)
80 g fresh farmer's cheese (desmenuzado)
15 ml lime juice

Nutrition facts

per serving

612 kcal

Calories

38 g

Protein

29 g

Carbs

39 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

25 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

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. Season the chicken thighs with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, cumin, and annatto powder. Let them rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
2
2. Heat a wide pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat with 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 5 to 6 minutes, then 3 minutes on the other side, until golden. Remove and set aside.
3
3. In the same pot, reduce to medium heat and add the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil. Sauté the scallions, white onion, and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until a light hogao forms.
4
4. Add the lulo pulp and chicken broth to the hogao. Stir well, return the chicken to the pot, and add 10 g (1/4 cup) of the cilantro. Once gently bubbling, partially cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5
5. While the chicken cooks, make the mote. In a medium saucepan combine the baby yellow potatoes, sweet corn, milk, water, and 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
6
6. Once boiling, sprinkle in the pre-cooked cornmeal while whisking or stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the potatoes are very tender and the mixture thickens.
7
7. Lightly mash some of the baby potatoes with a spoon right in the saucepan to create a creamy texture with some chunks. Add the butter and farmer's cheese, stir to combine, and keep warm over very low heat.
8
8. Check the chicken: the thickest part should reach at least 165°F / 74°C. Add the lime juice and the remaining cilantro to the sauce, taste, and adjust salt if needed. Cook 2 minutes more.
9
9. If you want to hold the dish warm before serving, keep it covered in the oven at 200°F / 95°C for up to 10 minutes.
10
10. Serve a bed of creamy sweet corn mote on each plate and top with two chicken thighs and plenty of lulo herb sauce.

Chef tips

If your lulo is very tart, balance the sauce with 1 extra teaspoon of very ripe tomato or a small splash of additional broth. For a more rustic texture, leave some of the corn whole and mash only half of the baby potatoes.

Substitutions

You can replace lulo with a mild blend of passion fruit and a smaller amount of tamarillo, though the flavor profile will change. Farmer's cheese can be swapped for firm fresh cheese, and baby yellow potatoes for small yellow potatoes.

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
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
View on Amazon
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
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
View on Amazon