Pepián de Pollo/Res (Keto Modified)
Keto Red Chicken/Beef Stew (No Bread/Tortilla Thickener)
Yes, with a tweak: absolutely critical: ensure NO ground bread, tortillas, or any starch/flour is used as a thickener in the sauce. About 14g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Guatemalan food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A national dish of Guatemala, this rich and complex stew is made with chicken or beef, simmered in a dark, smoky red sauce crafted from roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, guajillo, pasilla, and ancho chiles, along with roasted seeds (sesame, pumpkin). Traditionally, the sauce is thickened with ground bread or tortillas. For keto, it must be prepared without these carb-based thickeners, relying on the natural thickening from pureed roasted vegetables and seeds. Served without rice or tortillas.
Key ingredients
Chicken or beef, tomatoes, tomatillos, guajillo chiles, pasilla chiles, ancho chiles, sesame seeds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), cinnamon, cloves, allspice, garlic, onion, olive oil, chicken/beef broth, salt.
How to make it keto
Absolutely critical: ensure NO ground bread, tortillas, or any starch/flour is used as a thickener in the sauce. Request no rice or tortillas on the side. Confirm no added sugars in the sauce.
Watch out for
The primary carb risk is the traditional thickening agents (bread/tortillas/masa). Chiles, tomatoes, tomatillos, and spices contribute to carbs. Hidden sugars in restaurant-prepared sauces. Seeds also have moderate carbs.
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 ›
