
There are some dishes that just bring you home — not because of their fancy ingredients or presentation, but because of the memories attached to them. For me, one of those dishes is Chicken Guisantes.
This is one of my favorite ulams growing up because my Nanay always cooked this for us. The smell of sautéed garlic and onions instantly takes me back to our small kitchen, where Nanay would be stirring a pot of this delicious stew while humming an old love song from the radio.
Now that I’m a mom, I find myself cooking the same dish whenever I miss her. There’s just something about recreating those flavors that feels like a warm hug from home. ❤️
Nanay’s version was simple — no potatoes, just tender chicken simmered with sweet green peas and a little bell pepper for color. But as the years went by, I started adding my own little twist. I put in potatoes, because Ykaie and Twinkle love them! It also makes the dish heartier and perfect for those nights when everyone’s extra hungry.
A Classic Made with Love
Chicken Guisantes may look humble, but it’s one of those comforting dishes that never fails to please the whole family. The savory flavor, the sweetness of the peas, and the soft bite of potatoes blend beautifully with the juicy chicken. It’s best enjoyed with a steaming cup of rice — because let’s be honest, isang kanin lang is never enough!
This dish is also one of my go-to weekday meals because it’s easy to prepare and budget-friendly. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, you probably already have them at home. Plus, it reheats really well, so leftovers (if there are any!) taste even better the next day.
Cooking Tips from the Heart
If you’re making this for the first time, here are a few simple tips:
- Use chicken thighs or drumsticks for juicier results.
- Don’t skip sautéing your onions and garlic well — it builds that sarap base flavor.
- Add the green peas near the end of cooking to keep their bright color and texture.
- Want it saucier? Add a little water or chicken broth — perfect for drenching rice!
Why I Love Cooking Chicken Guisantes
Every time I cook this, I feel a connection — to my Nanay, to my childhood, and to my own kids now. It’s one of those recipes that bridges generations. Food, after all, is one of the most beautiful ways to pass down love and tradition.
So the next time you crave something comforting and full of memories, try cooking Chicken Guisantes. Serve it with rice, laughter, and maybe a quick kwentuhan about your own childhood dishes.
Because sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones that tell the sweetest stories. 💛
PrintChicken Guisantes
- Author: Peachy Adarne
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3 small potatoes, cut into pieces
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 2.5 cups water
- chicken cube
- 1 can green peas
- 1 tsp peppercorns
- patis
Instructions
- Heat cooking oil in a pot and fry the potatoes until cooked. Remove from pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
- Add chicken. Season with patis and cook until brown.
- Add water and peppercorns.
- Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Add the chicken cube, green peas, and potatoes. Stir.
- Simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
- Season with more patis if needed.
- Turn off heat and serve with steam rice.