Kavarma Chicken with Plums
A hearty and flavorful Bulgarian stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with sweet prunes, onions, peppers, and aromatic spices. This dish balances savory and sweet notes, creating a comforting and unique culinary experience.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 200 g Prunes(pitted, halved)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 2 medium Bell peppers(any color, seeded and chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced, undrained)
- 200 ml Red wine(dry)
- 200 ml Chicken broth
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Paprika(sweet)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic, paprika, cumin, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
- 5
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), chicken broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- 7
Add the halved prunes to the pot. Stir gently, cover, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender and the sauce has thickened.
- 8
Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the spices and a little red wine for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓If the sauce is too thin, you can remove the lid during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to allow it to reduce.
- ✓Serve with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts in the last 15 minutes of cooking for added texture.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other spices.
- Other dried fruits like apricots can be used in place of prunes.