Chakhohbili (Chicken with Tomatoes)
A rustic and deeply flavorful Georgian chicken stew, characterized by its rich tomato base, abundant herbs, and a hint of spice. It's a comforting dish that showcases the fresh ingredients of Georgian cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into 8 pieces (bone-in, skin-on recommended))
- 2 large Onions(thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 800 g Tomatoes(ripe, chopped (or 2 cans of diced tomatoes))
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped)
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil(chopped (optional))
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes(or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or butter
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add sliced onions to the skillet and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and form a thick sauce, about 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Return the chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- 6
Stir in chopped cilantro, parsley, and basil (if using) during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- 7
Serve hot, spooning the rich tomato sauce over the chicken. It's excellent with crusty bread or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using bone-in, skin-on chicken adds more flavor and moisture to the dish.
- ✓Don't skip the browning of the chicken; it creates a deeper flavor base.
- ✓Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of white wine to the tomato sauce for added complexity.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or hearty mushrooms like portobellos.