Can I make this chicken menudo recipe without liver?

Yes, you can absolutely skip the liver or liver spread if you prefer a milder taste. The dish will still be delicious with the tomato sauce, soy sauce, and vegetable combination. Many people make a liver-free version for children or those with sensitive palates, and it remains a very popular chicken menudo recipe variation.

How do I stop the potatoes from falling apart?

The key is to avoid overcooking the dish. Once the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, the dish is ready. You can also lightly fry the potato cubes in a bit of oil before adding them to the sauce; this creates a slight crust that helps them maintain their shape throughout the simmering process of your chicken menudo recipe.

Can I use frozen vegetables for this recipe?

While fresh vegetables are always recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen peas or carrots in a pinch. However, frozen potatoes tend to become very soft and grainy, so it is better to use fresh potatoes whenever possible. If you use frozen bell peppers, add them at the very last minute to prevent them from becoming soggy in your chicken menudo recipe.

Is chicken menudo healthy?

Generally, a chicken menudo recipe is quite healthy because it is packed with lean protein and various vegetables. It is a balanced meal providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber. To make it even healthier, you can reduce the amount of salt or soy sauce and load up on extra bell peppers and carrots.

Easy Chicken Menudo Recipe - Flavorful & Hearty Meal

Name: Chicken Menudo Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: Chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into small uniform cubes; Potatoes, diced into small cubes; Carrots, diced into small cubes; Red bell pepper, diced; Green bell pepper, diced; Garbanzo beans; Raisins; Tomato sauce; Soy sauce; Garlic, minced; Onion, chopped; Cooking oil; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; Brown sugar, optional; Lemon juice or calamansi juice, optional; Chicken liver or liver spread, optional

Ingredients

Chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into small uniform cubes
Potatoes, diced into small cubes
Carrots, diced into small cubes
Red bell pepper, diced
Green bell pepper, diced
Garbanzo beans
Raisins
Tomato sauce
Soy sauce
Garlic, minced
Onion, chopped
Cooking oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Brown sugar, optional
Lemon juice or calamansi juice, optional
Chicken liver or liver spread, optional

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the chicken, potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers into small, uniform cubes so everything cooks evenly and each bite stays balanced.
Step 2: In a large pan, heat oil and sauté the garlic and onions until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Add the chicken pieces and cook until the outside is no longer pink, allowing the juices to release and the meat to brown lightly.
Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce and soy sauce, then let the mixture simmer on low heat for about ten minutes.
Step 5: Add the potatoes and carrots, stirring well so they are coated in the savory tomato sauce.
Step 6: Stir in the garbanzo beans, raisins, and bell peppers, then continue cooking until the potatoes are soft and the vegetables are tender.
Step 7: Taste the sauce and season with salt, pepper, and optional brown sugar or lemon or calamansi juice as needed, then serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast meat during simmering, but either works well when cut into even pieces. Let the chicken brown slightly for deeper flavor, and adjust the sauce with extra broth if you want it looser or simmer it longer if you prefer it thicker. Garbanzo beans and raisins give the dish its classic sweet-savory balance, while optional chicken liver or liver spread adds a richer traditional taste.

Author: Mike
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Filipino

Keywords: chicken menudo, Filipino chicken menudo, tomato-based chicken stew