Georgian Chicken with Sour Plum Sauce (Tkemali Sauce)
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, tangy sauce made from unripe sour plums (tkemali), herbs, and spices. This dish offers a unique sweet and sour flavor profile characteristic of Georgian cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into serving pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended))
- 2 medium Onions(thinly sliced)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 200 ml Sour plum sauce (Tkemali)(store-bought or homemade)
- 1 bunch Cilantro(chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 0.5 bunch Parsley(chopped)
- 0.5 bunch Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 2
Add sliced onions to the same pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 3
Add minced garlic, coriander powder, and red pepper flakes to the onions. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Return the chicken to the pot. Pour in the sour plum sauce (tkemali). Add salt and black pepper.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes - 6
Stir in the chopped cilantro, parsley, and dill. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the herbs are wilted.
⏱️ 2-3 minutes - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
💡 Tip: This dish is excellent served with Georgian bread (puri) or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If you cannot find fresh sour plums, tkemali sauce is a readily available substitute.
- ✓Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- ✓The tanginess of the tkemali sauce is key to this dish; ensure it's a good quality sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of honey or sugar to balance the sourness of the plums, if desired.
- Incorporate other root vegetables like carrots or potatoes during the simmering stage.