Belizean Stewed Chicken in the Instant Pot
A low carb Belizean Stewed Chicken recipe made in your Instant Pot Homey and comforting this is an economical keto chicken dinner that the entire family will love
A low carb Belizean Stewed Chicken recipe made in your Instant Pot Homey and comforting this is an economical keto chicken dinner that the entire family will love
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 whole chicken legs (thigh and drumsticks separated into 8 pieces)
- 2 tbsp recado rojo or achiote seasoning/paste
- 3 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup sliced yellow onions
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 tsp dried oregano (mexican if you can get it!)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar substitute (i used erythritol)**
- don't add salt
- Carbohydrate 6.29913313109848 g
- Cholesterol 3.60000000304326 mg
- Fat 3.2121125012173 g
- Fiber 0.101718748211861 g
- Protein 3.20437312755634 g
- Saturated Fat 1.86268437532563 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (134g)
- Sodium 234.967000271846 mg
- Sugar 6.19741438288662 g
- Trans Fat 0.213082000085211 g
- Calories 68 calories
Step-by-step
- Combine the recado or achiote paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), cumin, oregano, pepper and sweetener in a large bowl.
- Mix well.
- Add the chicken pieces and rub the marinade into the skin. Marinate for at least one hour up to overnight.
- Place the insert in your Instant Pot and set to saute.
- Heat the coconut oil and brown the chicken in batches, skin side down for about 2 minutes per side (reserve the marinade to add back in later.)
- Remove the seared chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onions and garlic to the Instant Pot and saute for 2-3 minutes until steaming and softened.
- Add the chicken pieces back to the Instant Pot.
- Pour the chicken broth into the bowl containing the remaining marinade and stir well.
- Pour the broth/marinade over the chicken pieces in the Instant Pot.
- Seal the Instant Pot according to manufacturers instructions.
- Set the Instant Pot to Manual, High pressure, for 20 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, release the steam.
- Taste the sauce and add a little salt if needed (it probably won't need it,) then serve the chicken hot, garnished with cilantro if desired.
Traditional stovetop braises rely on slow reduction to concentrate flavors, whereas pressure cooking forces aromatic liquids directly into cellular structures through intense physical force. Belizean stew chicken typically depends on recado rojo, an earthy achiote paste packed with annatto seeds, oregano, and cumin that colors the meat a vibrant red while imparting a distinct peppery bite. Accounting for the high concentrations of sodium already present in commercial Worcestershire sauce and achiote pastes, omitting initial salt prevents the braising liquid from drawing out moisture prematurely before the chicken even hits the hot coconut oil.
Searing the chicken pieces skin-side down for precisely two minutes per side initiates the Maillard reaction, developing complex savory compounds on the surface before pressure seals the environment. Deglazing the bowl used for the marinade with two cups of chicken stock ensures zero wastage of the spice paste, integrating every trace of vinegar, cumin, and sweetener into the pot. Cooking under high pressure for twenty minutes breaks down connective tissues rapidly without over-tightening the muscle fibers, yielding a tender result that normally demands hours of simmering. Because pressure cookers retain nearly all liquid, incorporating a granulated sugar substitute helps balance the sharp acidity of the vinegar and the bitterness of the achiote without scorching on the base of the insert.
Swapping standard cooking oils for unrefined coconut oil introduces distinct lauric acid notes that complement the traditional Caribbean flavor profile. Leftovers store safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, and the sauce often tastes more cohesive the next day as the spices fully penetrate the chicken tissue.
