Mucbipollo is a large Yucatecan tamale of chicken and pork in achiote, wrapped in banana leaves and traditionally buried-baked in an earth oven on Hanal Pixán (Day of the Dead) for the souls of the departed.

Mucbipollo is the central food of Hanal Pixán, the Yucatán Day of the Dead (October 31 to November 2). The Maya word 'muc' means to bury; 'bil' is the verb to cook in the ground. Communities buried the pib oven on the day, fed it from above, and revealed the tamal as a feast for both living and dead. The tradition continues every Hanal Pixán in Mérida.

Where to eat Mucbipollo (Pib de pollo) in Mérida

3 editor picks for Mucbipollo (Pib de pollo) in Mérida, ranked by editorial score. All Mérida signature dishes · Mucbipollo (Pib de pollo) across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 85 hrAdvanced

Ingredients

  • 500g masa harina
  • 300 ml lard or vegetable shortening
  • 500 ml warm chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 whole chicken (1.5 kg), cut into 8 pieces
  • 500g pork shoulder, in chunks
  • 150g achiote paste
  • 200 ml sour orange juice
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • Banana leaves, passed over a flame to soften

Method

  1. Mix achiote paste with sour orange juice, garlic and oregano. Marinate chicken and pork in this paste 2 hours.
  2. Brown the chicken and pork lightly in a pan, then simmer in 500 ml broth for 30 minutes until tender but not falling apart.
  3. Mix masa harina with lard and warm broth until you have a thick, spreadable dough. Season with salt.
  4. Line a deep oven dish or Dutch oven with overlapping banana leaves (8 leaves work).
  5. Spread half the masa dough across the bottom of the leaves.
  6. Arrange chicken and pork over the dough, pour over the cooking liquid, sprinkle with sliced onion.
  7. Top with remaining masa to fully cover the filling.
  8. Fold banana leaves up over the top and tie with string. Cover dish tightly.
  9. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1.5 hours.
  10. Rest 15 minutes before opening. Serve in the banana-leaf parcel.

Editor tip. If banana leaves aren't available, double-wrap with parchment paper plus foil; you lose some aroma but the dish still works.

Common allergens: Pork, Poultry.