Pepián de Pollo (Chicken Stew with Keto Sides)
Guatemalan Chicken Stew with Keto Sides
Yes, with a tweak: request no rice, no tortillas. About 12g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Guatemalan food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A rich, complex, and mildly spicy Guatemalan chicken stew made with roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, various chiles, and often toasted seeds (like sesame and pumpkin) for a deep, earthy flavor. Traditionally thickened slightly and served with rice and tortillas. For a keto diet, it is served without these starchy sides, focusing on the succulent chicken and the flavorful sauce.
Key ingredients
Chicken (thighs/legs), tomatoes, tomatillos, guajillo chiles, pasilla chiles, pimiento chiles, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), cilantro, onion, garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, salt, pepper.
How to make it keto
Request no rice, no tortillas. Confirm no corn or starchy thickeners are used in the sauce (some recipes may use a tiny bit of bread or tortilla for thickening; the seeds are the primary traditional thickener). Ask for a side of steamed low-carb vegetables if available (e.g., broccoli, green beans) instead of traditional sides.
Watch out for
Hidden sugars in tomato-based sauces, potential use of flour or corn masa as an alternative thickener, larger portions of high-carb vegetables if not specified (e.g., carrots), cross-contamination from rice/tortillas.
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 ›
