🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍝 Main Dishes > 🇵🇦 Panama Main Dishes > 🍝 1.Panamanian-Style Chicken & Rice, 2.Traditional Panamanian Beef Stew , 3.Panamanian Coconut Fish Stew
🍝 Delicious Panama Main Dishes You Can Make at Home
🌟 Introduction: Exploring Panama’s Everyday Cooking
Panamanian food is warm, comforting, and full of character—a beautiful mix of Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, Central American, and Spanish influences. In recent years, Panama’s home-style dishes have gained global attention. Travelers, food bloggers, and home cooks everywhere are discovering how flavorful and approachable Panamanian main dishes really are.
Whether you’re new to Panamanian cuisine or already obsessed with its bold yet comforting flavors, this guide brings you three popular main dishes that are perfect for everyday cooking. Each one highlights a different side of Panama’s culinary identity—from savory stews to hearty one-pot meals.
What’s great about these recipes is that they don’t require complicated techniques. They’re all about fresh ingredients, simple preparation, and warm flavors that feel like home.
❤️ In this article, you’ll find 3 iconic Panamanian recipes:
🥇 1.Recipe 1: Panamanian-Style Chicken & Rice — A comforting chicken-and-rice classic
🥈 2.Recipe 2: Traditional Panamanian Beef Stew — A hearty beef stew with Panamanian seasonings
🥉 3.Recipe 3: Panamanian Coconut Fish Stew — A seafood-inspired dish rooted in coastal tradition
You’ll get the ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, tips, FAQs, and a friendly summary for each one.
Let’s jump right in!
🍗 Recipe 1: Panamanian-Style Chicken & Rice
🥘 About This Recipe
This dish is a staple in many Panamanian homes. It’s wholesome, aromatic, and beautifully colorful thanks to the blend of vegetables and seasonings. The chicken becomes tender as it cooks with rice, absorbing the flavors of herbs, spices, and vegetables.
If you love one-pot meals that are filling without being heavy, this is the perfect place to start.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
Here’s everything you need to make this dish at home:
• 2 cups uncooked rice
• 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (about 1.2–1.5 kg)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (or annatto for color)
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2.Add the chicken pieces and lightly brown on all sides.
3.Stir in the onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
4.Add tomato paste, cumin, and turmeric. Mix well to coat the chicken.
5.Add rice and sauté for 1–2 minutes to toast slightly.
6.Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
7.Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
8.Let simmer for 20–25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the broth is absorbed.
9.Stir in mixed vegetables and let sit for 5 minutes.
10.Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
✔ Tips:
• Rinse the rice before cooking to avoid excessive starch.
• Browning the chicken first enhances flavor.
• Use annatto if you want traditional color and aroma.
❌ Mistakes to Avoid:
• Avoid stirring the rice too much while cooking.
• Don’t use too much liquid or the rice may turn mushy.
• Avoid high heat—this can burn the rice at the bottom.
❓ FAQ
Q1: Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, but bone-in chicken adds more flavor to the broth and rice.
Q2: Can this dish be made vegetarian?
Absolutely—replace chicken with vegetables and use vegetable broth instead.
Q3: Does it reheat well?
Yes! It's perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
📝 Summary
This dish is comforting, colorful, and full of classic Panamanian flavors. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve to guests. A true home-cooking favorite.
🥩 Recipe 2: Traditional Panamanian Beef Stew
🍲 About This Recipe
Panamanian beef stew is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for days when you want something warm and satisfying. The vegetables and seasonings create a savory broth, while the slow cooking makes the beef incredibly tender.
It’s beloved for its simplicity and ability to bring people together around the table.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
Here’s what you’ll need:
• 800 g beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 small bunch of cilantro (optional for garnish)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2.Add beef and brown on all sides.
3.Add onions and garlic; sauté until softened.
4.Stir in tomato paste, paprika, and oregano.
5.Add beef broth and bring to a boil.
6.Reduce heat to low and simmer for 60 minutes.
7.Add potatoes and carrots. Cook another 25–30 minutes.
8.Taste and adjust seasoning.
9.Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
✔ Tips:
• Let the stew simmer low and slow for best tenderness.
• Add extra vegetables like green beans if you want more color.
• A thicker stew can be achieved by mashing a few potato pieces.
❌ Mistakes:
• Don’t rush the cooking—beef needs time to tenderize.
• Avoid cutting vegetables unevenly; some may turn mushy.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot when browning the beef.
❓ FAQ
Q1: Can I substitute beef with another protein?
Yes—chicken or turkey works well with the same seasonings.
Q2: How do I make the stew thicker?
Let it simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or mash a few pieces of potato.
Q3: Can I prepare this in advance?
Definitely! The flavors become richer the next day.
📝 Summary
This classic Panamanian beef stew is rich, savory, and deeply comforting. It’s perfect for family meals, slow weekends, or anytime you want something warm and satisfying.
🐟 Recipe 3: Panamanian Coconut Fish Stew
🌊 About This Recipe
Panama’s coastal regions are famous for fresh seafood dishes, and this coconut fish stew is a beloved example. It’s mild, aromatic, and full of natural sweetness from coconut and vegetables.
The dish is simple, flavorful, and perfect for anyone who loves fresh, bright flavors that aren’t overwhelming.
🧂 H3: Ingredients & Measurements
Here’s what you’ll need:
• 700 g white fish fillets (snapper, cod, or sea bass)
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• ½ cup water or fish broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2.Add onion, peppers, and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
3.Stir in tomato paste, paprika, and turmeric.
4.Add coconut milk and water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5.Add fish fillets, laying them gently into the liquid.
6.Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily.
7.Taste and adjust seasoning.
8.Garnish with herbs and serve warm.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
✔ Tips:
• Use fresh fish for the best texture.
• Add a squeeze of lime (optional) before serving to brighten flavor.
• Thin coconut milk slightly if you prefer a lighter broth.
❌ Mistakes:
• Avoid stirring too much after adding fish—it breaks easily.
• Don’t boil coconut milk at high heat; it may separate.
• Avoid overcooking the fish.
❓ FAQ
Q1: Can I use frozen fish?
Yes, but thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Q2: Is coconut milk necessary?
It gives the dish its signature flavor, but you can substitute with light coconut milk if preferred.
Q3: What side dishes go well with this?
Rice, fried plantains, or steamed vegetables work beautifully.
📝 Summary
This coconut-based fish stew captures the heart of Panama’s coastal cooking. It’s light, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare—perfect for weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.
🌈 Final Thoughts
Panamanian cooking is warm, approachable, and rich with cultural meaning. These three recipes show just how easy it is to bring authentic Panama flavors into your own kitchen.
You don’t need complicated tools or rare ingredients—just simple steps, fresh ingredients, and a bit of curiosity.
Try making one recipe at a time, explore the flavors you enjoy most, and feel free to give each dish your own personal twist. And of course, if you try any of these at home, share your experience with friends, family, or your online community—Panamanian food deserves the spotlight!
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