Pibil Style Chicken (stove top version)

Pibil Style Chicken (stove top version)

Pibil style Chicken (stove top version)

Pibil style chicken originates from the Yucatan Peninsula. The main ingredients in the sauce are achiote paste and citrus, usually a combination of orange and grapefruit juices. The chicken is placed on a banana leaf covered with the sauce, topped with a slice of tomato, onion, and epazote leaf. It is then wrapped up in the banana leaf and steamed. This is a stove top version of the traditional recipe, stewing the chicken the sauce instead of steamed in a banana leaf.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African, Mexican
Keyword: Chicken, main course, Mexican
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • Large sauce pan or Dutch oven
  • Blender or food processor

Ingredients

  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 100 grams achiote paste
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp mexican oregano
  • 3 lbs chicken pieces
  • 2 roma tomatoes sliced
  • 1/2 large white onion sliced
  • 6 epazote leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a blender or food processor, place the achiote paste, orange juice, grapefruit juice, oregano, garlic, and cumin.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
  • Purée until smooth.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
  • In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, layer tomato and onion slices. Place the chicken pieces on top of them.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
  • Cover with the sauce and epazote leaves.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
  • Cover the chicken and simmer over medium low heat for 50 minutes. You may need to add a little more liquid to the sauce. I recommend using more orange juice or chicken stock.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
  • Serve with steamed rice and avocado.
    Mexican, main course, chicken
Mexican, condiment
Let’s talk about achiote paste. It is made out of annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, cloves, garlic, oregano, and bitter orange juice. The paste is mostly used in south eastern Mexican cuisine. You can find the paste in 100 gram blocks in any Mexican section of the grocery store.