tomatojalapenocinnamon

Almendrado with Chicken

Almendrado with Chicken

Almendrado con Pollo

Recipe Yield

4 to 5 servings

Cooking time

1 hour 5 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.38 from 8 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large white onion cut into pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic unpeeled
  • 2 pounds (about 7 or 8) roma tomatoes
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 12 black peppercorns
  • 1 1-inch stick ceylon cinnamon or canela
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 3-pound chicken cut into serving pieces (wings removed for later use and breasts cut in half)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 2 cups chicken broth divided
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup black raisins
  • 1/2 cup manzanilla olives stuffed with pimiento sliced
  • 1/4 cup capers chopped
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño rajas or slices

To Prepare

  • Place onion, garlic and tomatoes under the broiler, or on an already heated skillet, griddle or comal set over medium heat. Roast or char for about 10 minutes, flipping in between, until ingredients are completely charred, cooked and mushy. Set aside and peel the garlic cloves when cool enough to handle.
  • In a small skillet set over medium heat, toast the cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon stick for a couple minutes, moving and flipping them around to toast evenly. Set aside. Toast the oregano for 10 to 15 seconds and remove from the heat.
  • In the jar of a blender, place the charred onion, peeled garlic and charred tomatoes, along with the tops from the whole cloves (discard the stems), the peppercorns, cinnamon and oregano. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Heat the oil in a large casserole set over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Season the chicken with the salt and brown the chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You may need to do this in batches in order to not to crowd the casserole. Once you have removed all the chicken, immediately pour the tomato sauce into the hot oil and cover, as it will splatter. Reduce heat to medium.
  • Add a cup of chicken broth to the blender and puree for a few seconds to get all the remaining thick sauce out of the blender, pour into the simmering sauce and cover again. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Incorporate the remaining cup of chicken broth, almonds, raisins, olives and capers. Add the browned chicken pieces, cover and reduce heat to low and cook for 20 more minutes.
  • Remove the lid and add the pickled jalapeño slices. Increase heat to medium and cook for another 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken. Serve with rice.

Comments

89comments inAlmendrado with Chicken

  1. Alicia

    Jan 27

    Querida Patti – Delicioso plato e interesante combinacion de sabores. Muchas Gracias.
    Una pregunta: Do you also toast the almonds? Alicia

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 27

      Hola Alicia, para esta receta en particular no toste las almendras, pero igual las puedes tostar y quedaria super rico!

  2. Lori

    Mar 04

    My husband and I made this and aside from having fun making it, this was outstanding! Loaded with flavor and absolutely a dish we will share with friends. Thinking about making an avocado tomato salad to pair with, but we are open to any other suggestions you might have for another sides

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 13

      A salad sounds like a perfect side and I would also make a white rice so it can absorb some of the yummy sauce 🙂

  3. Guille

    Mar 01

    Hi, Pati
    I love the almendrado with chicken!
    Thank you,
    Guille

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 13

      So glad to hear Guille, un abrazo!

  4. Sílvia Carranza

    Feb 19

    I remember this dish from my childhood. Can you provide the measurements in teaspoons for the cinnamon, cloves and pepper since I have them in ground form?

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 03

      Of course Silvia, it would be 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, about 1/3 tsp of black pepper and also 1/3 tsp of clove. Enjoy this recipe!

  5. David

    Feb 17

    I have been following your recipes for several years and have enjoyed recipes that I prepared. Both featured chicken recipes call for whole chickens as have several of the others that you have posted from time to time. A whole chicken is more than my wife and I can eat in one sitting. Some recipe publishers include a method for recipe users to specify the number of desired servings and the amount of each ingredient is appropriately changed. It would be wonderful if you adopted that process. I would try more of you recipes.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 08

      Thanks so much for the suggestion David, noted!

  6. Maricela Ortiz

    Sep 09

    This dish was unexpected. Just wonderful.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 11

      Gracias!

  7. Carola Diaz

    Sep 20

    Made it! Love it! Thank u Patti!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Oct 04

      Yay, SO happy Carola 🙂

  8. Luanne Elizabeth Wilczynski

    Jan 25

    Thank you so much for this recipe. It is a family favorite, and friends have even asked for the recipe. Your meals are magical, Pati, as is your show.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 25

      Thanks to you Luanne, you are incredibly kind, un abrazo!

  9. Ellie

    Oct 25

    I made this recipe many times!
    Is the favorite dish of my family 😋

    1. Pati Jinich

      Oct 27

      Loved this! Thanks so much Ellie 😉

  10. Laurie Williams

    Sep 17

    Pati,
    I made this tonight! I also made it with boneless, skinless thighs (only because it was a goof by my Instacart shopper). I made it with your Arroz con Coco recipe, and it was AWESOME! We want to go visit Oaxaca when Covid-19 lets us travel again.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 17

      Please do Laurie, Oaxaca is one of the most magical places on Earth, and the food! 🙂

  11. Anna

    Sep 07

    This was delicious and easy

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 17

      Glad you liked it Anna 😉

  12. Ryan H

    Aug 29

    Damn this was good Pati!! It’s going into reg rotation. I used ground spices and boneless thighs. It was awesome!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 05

      So glad you enjoyed it Ryan, thanks!

  13. Ruby Cesena

    Aug 27

    Hola Patti!!! Me encantan tus cooking videos!!! Nos hablas como si nos consieramos! Esta esta receta en video? Por que se ve muy bueno, y me gustan tus instruciones paso a paso !!! Saludos desde Los Angeles! Love your accent!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 05

      Si Ruby, aqui esta el video, mil gracias! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAa95O5bcSA

  14. Denisse

    Aug 26

    Looks delicious this recepie is one I must try this weekend can’t wait to try it.❤️❤️

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 05

      Gracias Denisse, how did you like it?

  15. Kurt

    Jul 18

    Made exactly to the recipe except added some paprika to the tomato mixture and bay leaf to the chicken stock. I also used boneless skinless thighs and rough cut them after the growing step to make it easy to eat. Served with lime wedges-excellent!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jul 19

      Thanks for sharing your secrets Kurt! Love it when you guys give your own twist to these recipes, enjoy 😉

  16. Nancy Corbin

    Jul 12

    What brand is your blender nice and large!!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jul 14

      It is a Vitamix Nancy, it is really amazing, I love it!

  17. Dawne Ward

    Jul 11

    My family likes mid dishes. How could I adapt your recipe without losing too much of the flavor?

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jul 12

      Hi Dawne! This dish is really not spicy or hot at all, but if you rather, just leave the jalapenos out. Enjoy 😉

  18. Jon Morrison

    Jun 14

    Made a 2 1/2 recipe. Made the tomato, garlic, onion sauce Friday. Finished the mole on Sunday. Finished in the oven at 250F for 2 hours, then added the jalapeño and cooked for another hour. Incredible. Chicken fell off the bone. A lot of work, but incredible.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 18

      Yay Jon, great tips! Thanks for giving this recipe a chance, enjoy 😉

  19. Susan

    Jun 12

    Tonight’s dinner!
    Thank you!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 21

      Thank you Susan! How did you like it?

  20. Jon Morrison

    Jun 12

    Made the sauce today, Friday, for Sunday night dinner with friends.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 21

      Great job Jon, did your friends liked it?

  21. Anonymous

    Jan 10

    Cant wait to try will be cooking this Tuesday

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 10

      Have fun!

  22. Jordan

    Dec 30

    I plan to make this dish tonight, however, I only have bone-in thighs at the moment. Will that be okay rather than using the breast?

    1. Pati Jinich

      Dec 30

      Absolutely! Enjoy, Jordan.

  23. Paula Quick

    Sep 21

    Would a cilantro rice compliment the Alemndrado Chicken? I just get tired of the same ‘ole plain rice.
    Thanks,
    Paula
    PS: Pati, I have been watching your show/s for years. I love love love Mexican food and you, along with Rick Bayless, have given me the ability to ‘visit’ Mexico through food.
    You are amazing!!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 24

      Go for it, Paula! And thank you so much for watching for so many years.

  24. Edna

    Sep 19

    Me encantan tus recetas porque aparte de ser deliciosas, son faciles para preparar…next I’m making the Dulce de Leche CHEESECAKE! ¡Gracias Pati! 😘

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 20

      Mil gracias, Edna!

  25. Mari

    Sep 16

    Pati, I loved this episode, but I really loved the dress you were wearing when you visited your friend’s kitchen in Oaxaca, you know, where you had to leave the kitchen due to fumes from charring the chilis. Where did you get that dress please, I would love to find one like it. Gracias.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Oct 03

      Oh I have a wonderful stylist who helps me…you can reach out to her directly: https://www.facebook.com/SybilStreetStylist/

  26. Rhonda Barovsky

    Sep 12

    My husband does not eat chicken or meat. How could I adapt this to salmon?

    1. Pati Jinich

      Oct 03

      You can make the sauce as is and then add your favorite fish, Rhonda. I hope you guys enjoy it.

  27. Gloria

    Mar 10

    Muy delicioso. Mi esposo se comio casi toda la cacerola.. Lo voy hacer nuevamente. Me llevo mas tiempo en cocinarlo. De lo que lo saborie.!! Gracias paty por tus deliciosas recetas.!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 21

      Uy gracias, Gloria!

  28. Fafi:)

    Oct 30

    Hola Pati!
    Esta es la primera receta tuya que yo hago y que crees? Me encanto. No conozco Oaxaca pero gracias a ti ya probé una de sus delicias..
    Mi plan es cocinar una de tus recetas a la semana, así que la siguiente serán los pambasos….:)

    1. Pati

      Oct 31

      Super! Gracias, Fafi 🙂

  29. Sandy & Tom

    Jun 10

    Our first ‘Pati Dish’ (of many to come) and we’re SOOOOO happy! Wild about the rich smoky notes from the charred veg and the sweet and salty hits from the raisins and olives/jalapenos/capers. We’re super-excited to have found a wonderful Latin tienda not far away, and are now the proud owners of a new comal and a pantry-full of ingredients. !Muchas gracias por ensenarnos, Pati!

    1. Pati

      Jun 13

      Oh wow! Thank you so much Sandy and Tom. I hope you have lots more fun cooking up my recipes with your new comal and Mexican pantry.

  30. Andres Saenz

    Jan 24

    Wow, I just made this and it was incredible! The tomato sauce was so thick, savory, and bursting with flavor! The chicken was so moist and almost falling off the bone, infused with so much flavor from the sauce. Thank you so much, Pati! Viva Mexico! 🇲🇽🇲🇽

    1. Pati

      Jan 25

      Thank YOU Andres!

  31. Jessie

    Jan 24

    Super delish !!!

    1. Pati

      Jan 25

      🙂

  32. Carlota

    Dec 13

    Hola Pati,gracias por compartir deliciosas recetas.Feliz Navidad.

    1. Pati

      Dec 13

      Mil gracias, Carlota! Feliz Navidad!

  33. Doug Goularte

    Nov 19

    Delicious my friend! We thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks for a great recipe.

  34. Raquel Battle

    Oct 29

    Thank!!!!!, is so delicious. I try this Sunday dinner.

    1. Pati

      Oct 30

      Have a great Sunday dinner, Raquel!

  35. Lea Grisemer

    Oct 28

    Hi Pati,
    I saw your show for the first time today. This recipe reminds me of my Mom’s recipe that is a family favorite that I call “Mexican Chicken”. Key ingredients are the holy trinity of celery, bell pepper and onion cooked til caramelized then add whole canned tomatoes with camino, salt and pepper which is combined with browned chicken.

    I can’t wait to make your recipe for Mi Mama, with all the different ingredients. Unfortunately, I took a fall walking my dog and have use of only one arm (temporarily). Muchas Gracias, Lea

    1. Pati

      Nov 02

      Feel better soon Lea…and I hope you and your mom enjoy the chicken!

  36. Carl

    Oct 08

    Pati,, Pati, Pati ! All I had to do was read the ingredients then said I want to try this. I did last night. So good. Though it was warm outside everyone agreed this is a great fall-winter dish. So rich in flavors with balance. We can taste everything on the list. I will share this with friends and I know they will love it too. It is a Mexican Caccitore. Everyone here loved it. Thank you for another outstanding recipe. I might even have it for breakfast this morning.

    1. Pati

      Oct 12

      I’m thrilled to hear that Carl…thank you so much!

  37. Lyn

    Oct 07

    Its nice…i will try to make this recipe soon

    1. Pati

      Oct 12

      Super!

  38. Margarita

    Oct 05

    Pati – this sounds alot like Pollo Guisado…or can you post a Pollo Guisado recipe, please? My friend from Guatemala makes the most amazing guisado and I have watched her make it but since she does not measure, I tried to estimate her ingredients but it does not taste the same! 🙁

    Sge also does a turkey dish in a similar way (green olives and all).

    Please help me get a Pollo Guisado recipe! Thank you! ♡

    1. Pati

      Oct 06

      I will try to post a recipe soon….

  39. Jennifer

    Sep 30

    We made this for dinner tonite and my family loved it. The aroma of toasting the cinnamon and cloves was amazing. The unique combination of ingredients are a perfect match.

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      So glad your whole family loved it, Jennifer!

  40. Pat Sanchez

    Sep 30

    Wow !!! The this dish is delicious ‘!!! Hope to one day visit this beautiful town.

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      I hope you get to go soon too, Pat! So glad you liked the dish!

  41. Sidney

    Sep 29

    It looks delicious but I would like to see more recipes that are faster and easier to make than so many ingredients.

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      Thank you for the suggestion Sidney. I’ll try to post some more soon.

  42. Eli Espino

    Sep 29

    this sounds delicious and I don’t see much sugar in the recipe other than the raisins, I will try it in the near future, its not your typical mole sounds like, thank you.

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      Yay!

  43. tgobbi

    Sep 29

    Hola, Pati —

    Thank you, muchas gracias, merci beaucoup and danke schön for the recipe!!!!!

    I first had pollo almendrado in Oaxaca years ago at a restaurant called La Casa de la Abuela. To this day it remains my favorite dish of all time. But we never see it on restaurant menus where I live (Chicago area) so I’m looking forward to trying your version (which I’m sure will be every bit as good).

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      Thank you for sharing! And I hope you enjoy it!

  44. Anne Jordan

    Sep 29

    Sounds delicious, but then, all your recipes are!

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      Thank you Anne!

  45. Tom Natan

    Sep 29

    I had this chicken years ago when I was in Oaxaca for work, but had forgotten about it. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Pati

      Oct 02

      Oh I hope you enjoy it as much as you did years ago!

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