Honduran Chicken in Semita Bread, Roasted Tomato and Cilantro Sauce with Seared Sweet Plantain

Name: Honduran Chicken in Semita Bread, Roasted Tomato and Cilantro Sauce with Seared Sweet Plantain
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Hondureña
Ingredients: 1.75 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp ground annatto; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 14 oz ripe plantains; 14 oz Roma tomatoes; 1 cup white onion; 1 cup red bell pepper; 4 cloves garlic; 3 oz Honduran semita bread; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup culantro or fresh cilantro; 2 tbsp sour orange juice; 1 tbsp butter

An original recipe inspired by Honduran flavors: browned chicken thighs simmered in a velvety sauce made with crumbled semita bread, roasted tomato, sweet pepper, and cilantro, served with seared ripe plantain for a savory, toasty, slightly sweet contrast.

20 minPrep

40 minCook

60 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

800 g bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approx. 4 pieces)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
3 g ground annatto (for dar color and sabor)
30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
400 g ripe plantains (2 plátanos, pelados and cut a lo largo)
400 g Roma tomatoes (4 tomates medium)
150 g white onion (in wedges)
120 g red bell pepper (in strips gruesas)
12 g garlic (pelado)
90 g Honduran semita bread (desmenuzada finely)
360 ml chicken broth (hot)
20 g culantro or fresh cilantro (chopped)
30 ml sour orange juice (or mezcla of orange and lima)
14 g butter (for terminar the sauce)

Nutrition facts

per serving

520 kcal

Calories

31 g

Protein

29 g

Carbs

31 g

Fat

3 g

Fiber

26 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

GlutenDairy

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Place the tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on a tray. Drizzle with 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil and sprinkle with a pinch of the salt. Roast for 20 minutes at 425°F / 220°C, until the tomatoes and onion are browned in spots.
2
2. Meanwhile, pat the chicken thighs dry and season them with the remaining salt, black pepper, and ground annatto.
3
3. Heat a wide skillet or shallow pot over medium-high heat. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil and brown the chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 to 6 minutes, then flip and cook 3 minutes more. Remove the chicken and set aside.
4
4. In the same skillet, cook the ripe plantains for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until seared and caramelized. Remove carefully and set aside.
5
5. Transfer the roasted tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, crumbled Honduran semita bread, and chicken broth to a blender. Blend until smooth and thick.
6
6. Pour the blended sauce into the same skillet and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring. Add the sour orange juice and half of the culantro or fresh cilantro.
7
7. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and cook for 20 to 22 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
8
8. Stir the butter into the sauce and gently shake the skillet until melted. Add the seared ripe plantains around the chicken and cook 2 minutes more so they absorb flavor.
9
9. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with the remaining culantro or fresh cilantro, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10
10. Serve the chicken covered with the semita, roasted tomato, and cilantro sauce, alongside the seared sweet plantains.

Chef tips

If you want a smoother sauce, strain it after blending. For deeper flavor, let the seasoned chicken rest for 15 minutes before browning. The semita thickens the sauce and adds a distinctive toasted note.

Substitutions

You can use bone-in chicken breast instead of thighs, adjusting the cooking time to avoid drying it out. If you cannot find Honduran semita bread, use a firm mildly sweet bread or day-old white bread. Culantro can be replaced with fresh cilantro.

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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