A traditional Guatemalan dish — Jocón is a brilliant green stew from the highlands, where miltomate (tomatillos), cilantro, and green chiles are blended into a silky sauce for chicken. Bright, herbal, and gently spicy, it is a beloved everyday meal served with rice and tortillas. Every family’s version differs slightly, but the vivid green color and fresh tang are always the same.
Jocón
A traditional Guatemalan dish — Jocón is a brilliant green stew from the highlands, where miltomate (tomatillos), cilantro, and green chiles are blended into a silky sauce for chicken.

Step by stepInstructions
- Season the chicken with salt and brown it in oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat; remove and set aside.
- Simmer the tomatillos in water for 8 minutes until soft, then drain.
- Blend the tomatillos with the green chiles, cilantro, onion, garlic, and cumin until smooth.
- Pour the green recado into the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until it deepens in color.
- Return the chicken to the pot, add the broth, and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Season with salt and serve hot with white rice and tortillas.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Tomatillos are sold husked or unhusked; always rinse off their sticky coating before cooking. If you like a thicker sauce, mash a few boiled potatoes into it before serving.

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