Pollo al Chilindrón (Aragonese Chicken with Peppers and Tomato)
Chicken braised in a sweet pepper and tomato sauce from Aragon, with a little cured ham for depth. Mop it up with crusty bread.
Made with Spanish sofrito. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Season the chicken thighs well with salt. Heat the olive oil in a large casserole over a medium high heat and brown the thighs skin side down for 6 to 8 minutes until deeply golden. Turn and brown for 3 minutes more, then set aside.
8 min - 2
In the same pan, cook the diced ham and sliced peppers for 8 minutes until the peppers soften.
8 min - 3
Stir in your ready made sofrito (see the base recipe) and the paprika. Cook for 2 minutes.
- 4
Pour in the wine and let it bubble for 2 minutes. Add the water and return the chicken to the pan, skin side up.
2 min - 5
Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. Uncover for the last 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
30 min - 6
Sprinkle with parsley and serve with bread or boiled potatoes.
Tips
- Brown the chicken skin properly before adding anything. The golden skin and the fond in the pan give the sauce its depth.
- The ham is salty, so taste the sauce before adding salt at the end.
- For a leaner version, remove the skin after browning, or use skinless thighs and a little more oil.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, cooled within 1 to 2 hours. Freezes for up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is chilindrón?
Chilindrón is a traditional sauce from Aragon and Navarra made with sweet peppers, tomatoes, onion and often cured ham. It is used for chicken, lamb and rabbit.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs stay juicier in a long simmer. If using breast, cut into large chunks and cook for only 15 to 20 minutes in the sauce.
Is this dish gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, as written it contains no wheat or dairy. Check that your cured ham and wine labels do not list gluten containing additives. Serve with gluten free bread or potatoes.
More made with spanish sofrito
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.