This post is also available in: Español

Recreating My Childhood Favorite, Pepian Dulce 

Gallina en Pepián Dulce is my favorite traditional dish from my home country Guatemala. This particular Guatemalan recipe holds a special place in my heart. My grandmother used to cook this dish for my mother’s birthday. Then, when she passed away, her cook Olga (who is like part of the family) took over and made it on special occasions. About a year ago, I asked her for the recipe, and it took months of begging to get it.

It turns out she never had this Guatemalan recipe written down. So she had to cook it to be able to write down the correct amounts of all the ingredients she used. Sadly, she passed away shortly after she sent it to me; no one else in the family has ever cooked this except me. So now I am sharing it with all of you!

Hen in Sweet Pepián Sauce: Guatemalan Mole

But what is Gallina en Pepían Dulce? Well, sweet Pepian is a traditional Guatemalan food, a sweet and savory dish that combines tender chicken with a rich and flavorful sauce made from toasted seeds and spices. This unique combination of flavors and textures makes it so special and delicious.

The recado resembles Mole, a sauce known well in Guatemala’s northern neighbor, Mexico. Its flavor, however, is remarkably distinct due to roasted seeds. To make this dish, cook the chicken until it’s tender and juicy. Then, you prepare the rich sauce by toasting and grinding pepitoria and sesame seeds and melting chocolate. Once the sauce is ready, add it to the chicken and let it simmer until the flavors meld together.

The result is a delicious and hearty dish perfect for big family gatherings. Serve it with a side of rice and fresh tortillas for a complete meal.

Ingredients for Gallina en Sweet Pepián:

• 2 lbs hen or chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 liters of water
• 4 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• 4 tablespoons of pepitoria (green squash or pumpkin seeds)
• 8 Roma tomatoes (whole, unpeeled)
• 1.5-inch stick of cinnamon, broken into several pieces
• 1 dried Guaque chili (chile guajillo in Mexican/Latino markets)
• 1 dried Pasa chili (chile pasilla in Mexica/Latino markets)
• 2-3 hot dog buns (in Guatemala, they use about three pieces of Pan Frances, which look more like blunt hot dog buns than baguettes)
• 1lb of Mexican chocolate 
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Salt

How To Make Gallina en Pepián Dulce:

1. Place the chicken parts and a pinch of salt in a large pot with about 1.5 liters of water. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is done and a golden broth emerges. Set aside.
2. Dry roast the sesame seeds until they are slightly brown. Place them on a paper towel to cool. Do the same with the squash seeds.
3. Roast the tomatoes in the oven, occasionally turning to allow them to roast evenly. A couple of minutes before removing the tomatoes from the oven, toast the cinnamon. It will burn quickly, so make sure it’s only in there enough time for it to become dry and fragrant.
4. Pour the roasted sesame and squash (pumpkin) seeds into a blender and pulse until finely ground, or about 30 seconds. Add the roasted cinnamon stick fragments and grind for another 30 seconds.
5. Then add the wet ingredients (tomatoes and chilies) and top with the broken pan frances (hot dog buns) and about 1 cup of chicken broth. Blend until everything is smooth. Add more chicken broth or bread until you achieve the desired consistency. The sauce should drip slowly from the spoon.
6. Heat a pan with a bit of oil. Remove the chicken pieces from the remaining broth and fry for about 5 minutes, until golden.
7. In a large pot, put the tomato sauce and the chocolate (cut into pieces) over medium heat until it boils. Then, lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Make sure the chocolate has completely melted.
8. Add salt and sugar to taste. If your sauce is thinner than you’d like, cook a bit longer. If it’s too thick, add some of the remaining broth.
9. Serve chicken pieces topped with sauce. Sprinkle remaining sesame seeds on top for garnish.

Tips for Making the Best Guatemalan Sweet Pepian:

• Toast the seeds and spices for an extra layer of flavor: Toasting seeds and spices is an essential step in this recipe. Toasting the seeds enhances their taste and releases their natural oils, which helps to create a rich and flavorful sauce. T
• Use bone-in chicken for a richer, more authentic taste: While you can use boneless chicken for this recipe, using bone-in chicken adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. The bones infuse the dish with a richer, more authentic taste, and the skin helps to keep the meat moist and juicy. Be sure to trim any excess fat from the chicken before cooking, as this can make the sauce greasy.
• A touch of sweetness: One of the key ingredients in Gallina en Pepian Dulce is the addition of Mexican chocolate. A pinch of chocolate adds a subtle depth to the sauce that perfectly complements the toasted seeds and spices. But if you can’t find it at the store, you can substitute it with one ounce of semisweet chocolate plus 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a drop of almond extract. Be sure to use high-quality, unsweetened chocolate for the best results.
• Don’t rush Greatness: Let the sauce simmer on low to really blend the flavors! This allows all the rich flavors from the seeds to meld together and intensify. Stir occasionally, and add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.

Make Ahead and Freeze

Pepián is a delicious Guatemalan food that you can easily make ahead of time and freeze for later. Simply make this mouthwatering dish following my recipe. Then allow it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Be sure to label the container with the name and date you made it. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Reheat Sweet Pepian Chicken

Serve this rich Guatemalan dish accompanied by rice and tortillas to complete the meal and soak up all that delicious sauce. The rice complements the flavors without overpowering them, while the tortillas make scooping up every last bit of chicken and sauce easier. Be sure to have plenty of both on hand, as you won’t want to waste a drop of this delicious dish!

You can also make a simple salad or steamed vegetables to balance out the flavors. For a heartier meal, consider serving it with black beans or refried beans. Pair it with a refreshing cold drinks like Rosa de Jamaica!

More Traditional Guatemalan Recipes You’ll Love

Guatemalan cuisine is a delicious fusion of indigenous Mayan cooking and Spanish influence, creating a unique and flavorful blend of ingredients and spices. From the famous tamales to hearty stews and crunchy desserts, you’ll surely find something to make your taste buds dance with joy. So, if you enjoyed this dish, you’ll love these Guatemalan recipes; let’s get cooking!

Guatemalan Hilachas De Carne:

An easy Instapot and slow cooker shredded beef stew recipe for a traditional Guatemalan dish. Similar to the Mexican Ropa Vieja recipe, it is a flavorful, easy-to-make shredded beef stew simmered in a velvety tomato-based recado sauce.

Tamales Colorados: 

Based on my grandmother’s recipe, these Guatemalan tamales are made with corn masa and filled with either chicken or pork. I’ve perfected the recipe with some personal touches and included easy step-by-step instructions to enjoy them at home.

Kak’ik: A Comforting Guatemalan Turkey Soup

Kakik is a traditional Guatemalan soup that’ll surely warm your heart and soul! This Guatemalan dish is packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients, with its juicy turkey, warming spices, and fresh veggies.

Salpicón De Res: An Easy Guatemalan Recipe

A shredded or diced beef salad loaded with citrus flavors! It is a tasty traditional Guatemalan food perfect as a party appetizer or a wholesome main dish. Unlike any other salad you have ever tried, this Guatemalan dish is full of fresh vegetables and a delicious marinade!

Subanik Recipe: A Delicious Stew From Guatemala:

For a comforting and flavorful Guatemalan meal, try Subanik. This hearty dish is made with a mixture of three types of meat. And a rich sauce featuring a tomato base and various chili peppers, making it a perfect option for a chilly day.

Barquillos Recipe: Delicious Guatemalan Cookies

Barquillos are crispy sweet cookies rolled into long cylinders. This easy-to-make Guatemalan recipe is a treat for those who have never tried these delicious wafer roll cookies. You’re sure to fall in love with them.

Guatemalan Horchata:

This refreshing rice drink from Guatemala is a total game-changer! With its creamy blend of rice, cinnamon, and vanilla, this traditional Guatemalan beverage is the perfect treat on a hot day. But it is also a light dessert or snack your kids will love. So, kick back, relax, and get ready to sip your way to paradise with every delicious drop!

Compensated affiliate links are used in this post. In addition, as an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.