Fricassée Poulet Maurice (Mauritian Chicken Fricassee)
A comforting and flavorful chicken dish with French influences, this Mauritian Fricassée features tender chicken pieces simmered in a savory sauce with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. It's a delightful dish perfect for family meals.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 Whole chicken(cut into pieces (about 1.2-1.5 kg))
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 Large onions(halved then thinly sliced into half-rings)
- 6 Spring onions(thinly sliced, green & white parts separated)
- 1 heaped tbsp Grated ginger
- 1 heaped tbsp Crushed garlic
- 10 Thyme sprigs
- 6 Tomatoes(deseeded & roughly chopped)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 125 mL Tomato passata
- 160 mL Filtered water
- 2 Dried chillies(optional, for heat)
- small bunch Fresh parsley(leaves picked, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken pieces and rub in well. Set aside a few parsley leaves for garnish and roughly chop the rest.
💡 Tip: Seasoning the chicken generously ensures flavor throughout. - 2
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a flameproof casserole pot over high heat. Sear half of the chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes, until the skin is browned all over. Remove chicken and set aside in a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining oil and chicken.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes💡 Tip: Searing the chicken creates a flavorful base for the sauce. - 3
Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and the white parts of the spring onions. Add ginger, garlic, thyme sprigs, and chopped parsley. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute💡 Tip: Don't burn the garlic and ginger. - 4
Return all the chicken to the pot. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato passata, filtered water, and dried chillies (if using). Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are well combined. - 5
Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 2 hours.
⏱️ 2 hours💡 Tip: Low and slow cooking ensures tender chicken. - 6
Remove the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 30 minutes💡 Tip: Adjust cooking time based on desired sauce consistency. - 7
Remove from oven and serve immediately, garnished with the reserved parsley leaves and green parts of the spring onions. Serve with rice or bread.
💡 Tip: Garnish just before serving for maximum freshness.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of white wine or chicken broth.
- ✓If you prefer a spicier dish, add more dried or fresh chillies.
- ✓This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, as the flavors deepen.
🔄 Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken for quicker cooking.
- Add sweetcorn or mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.