Stuffed chicken, drumstick or breast, Puerto Rican style
Common food
This is a savory Puerto Rican classic where a chicken drumstick or breast is carefully slit and filled with a seasoned mixture, often featuring sofrito, olives, and capers. The result is a juicy, tender piece of meat with a burst of tangy, aromatic flavor in every bite. Nutritionally, it's a high-protein, moderate-fat centerpiece, with the stuffing adding complex carbohydrates and a distinctive savory profile.
Calorie split: 48% protein · 11% carbs · 40% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the perfect marriage of tender chicken and the bold, briny flavors of the stuffing, which is a hallmark of Puerto Rican comfort food. It's a versatile dish that can be the star of a festive table or a hearty family dinner.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium due to ingredients like olives, capers, and adobo seasoning, which is a consideration for those monitoring salt intake. To counteract this, use low-sodium versions of these ingredients, rinse capers, and balance the meal with fresh, unsalted sides like steamed vegetables or a simple salad.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of lean protein for muscle maintenance.
- Provides essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus.
- Stuffing method allows for controlled, flavorful seasoning.
- Can be a satisfying, low-carb main dish depending on the filling.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The traditional stuffing, or 'relleno,' often includes 'sofrito,' a foundational aromatic base of peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs that is the flavor backbone of countless Puerto Rican dishes.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 51.9 g |
| Energy | 236 kcal |
| Protein | 28.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.36 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 86.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 27.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 293 mg |
| Potassium, K | 301 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 901 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 29.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.17 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.32 mg |
| Niacin | 7.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.26 mg |
| Folate, total | 24.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 16.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 27.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 114 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.66 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 56.0 ug |
| Retinol | 53.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 40.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 6.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 72.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.69 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.25 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.70 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.50 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 167 mg |
FAQ
What is typically inside a Puerto Rican stuffed chicken?
The filling is usually a savory mixture called 'sofrito' (a blend of peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro), along with olives, capers, raisins for a touch of sweetness, and sometimes bread crumbs or ground almonds for texture.
Is this dish gluten-free?
It can be, but it depends on the specific recipe. Traditional stuffings may use bread crumbs as a binder. To ensure it's gluten-free, use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit them entirely, relying on the other ingredients for texture.
How do you prevent the stuffing from falling out during cooking?
The chicken is typically secured with kitchen twine or toothpicks after stuffing. It's also often browned first in a skillet to help seal the opening before finishing in the oven.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.36 kcal/g · 48% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 0.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.99 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.