Panela and Passion Fruit Glazed Chicken with Green Plantain Arepitas and Warm Corn Avocado Salad

Name: Panela and Passion Fruit Glazed Chicken with Green Plantain Arepitas and Warm Corn Avocado Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Comida Latinoamericana
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 4 cloves garlic; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 3/4 cup passion fruit pulp; 1/4 cup grated panela; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 3/4 cup red onion; 1 1/2 cups corn kernels; 1 large avocado; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 2 tbsp lime juice; 2 medium green plantain; 1 cup pre-cooked cornmeal; 3/4 cup warm water; 1/2 cup crumbled fresh cheese; 1 tbsp butter

An original Latin American recipe featuring golden chicken thighs glazed with a glossy panela and passion fruit sauce with gentle spices. It is served with small green plantain arepitas and a warm salad of corn, avocado, red onion, and cilantro for a balanced, colorful, and comforting dish.

30 minPrep

45 minCook

75 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en pieces large)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
3 g ground cumin
12 g garlic (chopped)
4 g sweet paprika
45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
180 ml passion fruit pulp (with or without semillas)
50 g grated panela (or piloncillo grated)
15 ml apple cider vinegar
100 g red onion (diced small, divided)
250 g corn kernels (fresh or descongelado)
200 g avocado (diced)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
30 ml lime juice (divided)
400 g green plantain (pelado and en trozos)
120 g pre-cooked cornmeal
180 ml warm water
60 g crumbled fresh cheese
15 g butter

Nutrition facts

per serving

620 kcal

Calories

34 g

Protein

49 g

Carbs

31 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

43 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. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season it with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, cumin, half of the chopped garlic, and sweet paprika. Let it rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the rest.
2
2. In a small bowl, mix the passion fruit pulp, grated panela, apple cider vinegar, and 30 ml (2 tbsp) water until combined. Set the glaze aside.
3
3. Place the green plantain pieces in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender. Drain well and mash while hot with the butter, 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil.
4
4. Add the pre-cooked cornmeal, warm water, and fresh cheese to the mashed plantain. Mix until you get a soft, workable dough. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro. Shape into 8 small arepitas about 1.5 cm thick.
5
5. Heat a large oven-safe skillet with 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until colored. Add half of the red onion and the remaining garlic; cook for 1 minute.
6
6. Pour the passion fruit glaze over the chicken and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is slightly thickened. Spoon the sauce over the chicken once during cooking.
7
7. Meanwhile, heat another skillet with 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil over medium heat. Cook the arepitas for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and crisp outside. If desired, finish them in the oven for 5 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F.
8
8. For the warm salad, sauté the corn in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Add the remaining red onion, 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat and toss with the avocado, the remaining cilantro, and the remaining lime juice.
9
9. Serve the glazed chicken with plenty of passion fruit sauce, alongside the green plantain arepitas and the warm corn avocado salad.

Chef tips

If the passion fruit pulp is very tart, add 1 extra teaspoon of panela. For better browning on the arepitas, do not move them until a crust forms on the bottom.

Substitutions

You can swap the chicken thighs for chicken breast pieces, slightly reducing oven time. Fresh cheese can be replaced with mild feta or a lactose-free version if preferred.

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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