Honduran Chicken in Jocote Corona Sauce with Sesame Rice and Sautéed Green Beans

Name: Honduran Chicken in Jocote Corona Sauce with Sesame Rice and Sautéed Green Beans
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Hondureña
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp annatto powder; 4 cloves garlic; 3 tbsp sour orange juice; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 7.8 oz ripe jocote corona; 10.5 oz roma tomatoes; 1 cup white onion; 1 cup red sweet pepper; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 1/2 cups water; 1 1/4 cups uncooked white rice; 2 tbsp sesame seeds; 9 oz green beans; 1 tbsp butter

An original recipe inspired by Honduran flavors: seared and baked chicken thighs coated in a silky sauce made with jocote corona, roasted tomato, onion, and cilantro, served with aromatic sesame rice and sautéed green beans. It balances fruity tang, toasted notes, and a comforting homemade Honduran profile.

25 minPrep

45 minCook

70 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en pieces large)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g ground black pepper (divided)
2 g ground cumin
3 g annatto powder
12 g garlic (chopped, divided)
45 ml sour orange juice (si no hay, ver sustituciones)
45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
220 g ripe jocote corona (without semilla)
300 g roma tomatoes (partidos a the mitad)
160 g white onion (en pluma, divided)
120 g red sweet pepper (in strips, divided)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
360 ml water (divided)
240 g uncooked white rice
18 g sesame seeds (divided)
250 g green beans (despuntados)
14 g butter

Nutrition facts

per serving

548 kcal

Calories

35.2 g

Protein

39.8 g

Carbs

27.1 g

Fat

4.1 g

Fiber

35.7 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

DairySesame

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F.
2
2. Season the chicken with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, 1 g (1/2 tsp) black pepper, cumin, annatto powder, half of the chopped garlic, and the sour orange juice. Let it rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest.
3
3. Place the tomatoes, half of the onion, and half of the sweet pepper in a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat with a few drops of the oil. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly charred and softened.
4
4. Blend the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion, roasted sweet pepper, jocote corona, 120 ml (1/2 cup) water, and half of the cilantro until smooth. Set aside.
5
5. Heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not cook it through yet. Remove briefly.
6
6. In the same skillet, add the blended sauce and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet.
7
7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes at 200°C / 400°F, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
8
8. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil over medium heat. Add the rice and 12 g (about 1 1/2 tbsp) sesame seeds. Toast for 2 minutes, stirring so it does not burn.
9
9. Add 240 ml (1 cup) water and 2 g (3/8 tsp) salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, and fluff with a fork.
10
10. In another skillet, melt the butter with 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil over medium heat. Add the remaining onion, remaining sweet pepper, and remaining garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes.
11
11. Add the green beans, 2 g (3/8 tsp) salt, 1 g (1/2 tsp) black pepper, and 60 ml (1/4 cup) water. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until tender but still firm. Add the remaining cilantro and toss.
12
12. Taste the chicken sauce and adjust salt if needed. Serve the sesame rice, place the chicken with plenty of jocote corona sauce on top or alongside, and add the sautéed green beans. Finish with the remaining sesame seeds on top.

Chef tips

For a smoother sauce, strain it after blending. If the jocote is very tart, let the sauce reduce a bit longer to round out the flavor. Use a wide skillet so the chicken sears properly without releasing too much liquid.

Substitutions

If you cannot find jocote corona, you may use tart local plums or a mix of 150 g red plum plus 1 extra tablespoon sour orange juice, though the flavor will change. Sour orange juice can be replaced with 2 tablespoons orange juice plus 1 tablespoon lime juice. Butter can be replaced with oil for a dairy-free version.

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
View on Amazon
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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