How to prepare chicken fricassee the Cuban way on the island?

A Cuban woman shares on TikTok how she prepares chicken fricassee while facing power outages and shortages in Cuba, highlighting ingenuity and culinary tradition with limited ingredients.


A Cuban resident on the island has showcased on TikTok how she prepares a Creole-style chicken fricassee, using available ingredients while dealing with the typical daily challenges in Cuba, including power outages.

The video, posted by user @brianna4258, has caught the attention of many for showcasing a daily scene that blends ingenuity, flavor, and resilience. As the young woman explained in the clip's description, it was her meal for Tuesday, and it is none other than a tasty “Cuban-style” chicken fricassee.

The recipe began with the little I had on hand. “First, I chopped the peppers, because that was the only seasoning I had in Cuba,” he explained. Then he cut the chicken into pieces so the flavors could penetrate the meat well. He heated a pot with a little oil and added a teaspoon of tomato paste to sauté, but then the power went out.

“While I was stirring, the power went out, and I had to transfer everything to another pot,” she recounted. Despite the blackout, the young woman continued cooking on another burner, this time adding the peppers, chicken, potatoes, and the other available seasonings. To finish it off, she added a splash of dry wine, contributing that characteristic flavor of Cuban fricasé.

Although it is a simple recipe, the video showcases the creativity of many Cubans who, despite challenging circumstances, do not abandon their culinary traditions or the flavors of their typical dishes.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.

Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.