Seco de Pollo (Peruvian Coriander Chicken Stew)

In Peru, seco de pollo refers to a homely chicken stew recognised by its vivid green coriander sauce and savoury, gently spiced gravy. Bone-in chicken thighs give the dish depth as they simmer with onion, garlic, cumin and stock, while jalapeno adds a controlled heat rather than dominating the stew. The coriander and lime are added late, keeping the sauce fresh, aromatic and bright instead of dull or heavy. It is the kind of stew that suits rice, potatoes or beans alongside, with plenty of sauce spooned over to catch the herbaceous, tangy flavour.
Cuisine style Peruvian home cooking
Spice level Medium
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Meal prep friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Deep savoury base: Browning the chicken and softening the onion in the same pot builds a richer sauce before the stock is added.
  • Bright finish: Lime cuts through the richness of the chicken and keeps the coriander sauce fresh and lively.
  • Coriander added late: Stirring in the coriander purée near the end helps preserve its colour and clean herbal flavour.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For gentler heat: Deseed the jalapeno before chopping, or use less of it so the coriander and lime remain the main flavours.
  • For more heat: Use a hotter green chilli in place of the jalapeno, keeping the flavour profile green and fresh.

Ingredient notes

  • Use tender coriander stems: Tender stems blend well with the leaves and add flavour; discard any tough, woody stems before puréeing.
  • Adjust lime at the end: Taste the sauce after simmering and add more lime only if it needs extra brightness.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid a hard boil: Keep the stew at a gentle simmer once the chicken is returned to the pot; boiling can make the meat tougher and dull the sauce.
  • Do not add the coriander too early: Adding the purée near the end protects its green colour and stops the herbal flavour becoming muddy.

Make-ahead tips

  • Good for meal prep: The stew keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats gently in a saucepan with a splash of water.
  • Freezer suitable: Freeze after cooking if needed, but expect the coriander sauce to lose some of its bright green colour.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Put the coriander in a blender with the juice of the lime and a splash of the chicken stock, then blend to a smooth, bright green purée. Set aside.
  2. Finely chop the onion, slice the garlic, and deseed and finely chop the jalapeno if you want a gentler heat. Keep them separate so they cook evenly.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and brown well for 5 to 7 minutes, then turn and brown the other side for 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to a plate.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add the onion to the pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and lightly golden, scraping up the browned bits.
  5. Stir in the garlic, jalapeno, and ground cumin and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the remaining chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Return the chicken (and any juices) to the pot, nestling it into the liquid. Cover and simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  7. Stir in the coriander purée and simmer uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes until the sauce turns a deeper green and lightly thickens. Taste and add a little more lime juice if you want it brighter.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the cleanest green colour, add the coriander purée near the end and keep the stew at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil.
  • If you are serving vulnerable groups, make sure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout with no pink at the bone.

Substitutions

  • Replace Chicken thighs with Chicken breast cutlets for a leaner stew; simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, then add the Fresh coriander purée at the end.
  • Replace Jalapeno pepper with Green chili pepper for a sharper heat.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of water until piping hot; freezing may dull the green colour slightly.

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Seco de Pollo (Peruvian Coriander Chicken Stew)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Latin American
One pot Freezer friendly

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