Keto Pepián de Pollo (Estofado de Pollo sin Masa)
Keto Chicken Pepián Stew (Masa-Free)
Yes, with a tweak: aBSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL: No masa, no bread, no flour for thickening. About 13g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Guatemalan food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A keto-modified version of Guatemala's national dish. Chicken pieces (typically leg and thigh) are cooked in a deeply flavorful, rich sauce made from roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, chiles, and often ground seeds (like pepitas/sesame) and nuts (almonds). Crucially, the traditional masa (corn dough) or bread used for thickening is omitted, allowing the stew to naturally thicken from the roasted vegetables, nuts, and seeds, or using a keto-friendly thickener if available. Served as a stew without rice or tortillas.
Key ingredients
Chicken (thigh/leg), tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, onion, garlic, various dried chiles (e.g., guaque, pasilla), pepitas, sesame seeds, almonds, chicken broth, olive oil, salt, spices (cinnamon, cloves).
How to make it keto
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL: No masa, no bread, no flour for thickening. Omit rice, tortillas, or any starchy sides. Confirm no added sugar in the sauce.
Watch out for
Traditional masa/bread/flour thickeners (HIGH RISK), hidden sugars in sauce, starchy vegetables.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Guatemalan menuAll 1,212 Guatemalan dishes ›
