Georgian Chicken with Garlic-Walnut Sauce (Shkmeruli-Inspired)
A succulent roasted chicken bathed in a rich, creamy garlic and walnut sauce, inspired by the classic Shkmeruli but with a focus on the sauce's texture and depth.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Whole chicken(about 2-2.5 lbs, cut into 8 pieces)
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 200 g Walnuts(finely ground)
- 8 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 250 ml Chicken broth
- 100 ml Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Utskho suneli (blue fenugreek)(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated for even cooking. - 2
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
In an oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 4
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute💡 Tip: Be careful not to burn the garlic. - 5
Stir in the ground walnuts and utskho suneli (if using), toasting for another minute.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
💡 Tip: This deglazing process adds significant flavor. - 7
Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Ensure chicken is mostly submerged.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 8
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 55 minutes💡 Tip: Internal temperature of chicken should reach 75°C (165°F). - 9
Remove from oven, let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can blend the walnuts and garlic with a little broth before adding to the skillet.
- ✓Adjust the amount of garlic to your preference.
- ✓Serve with traditional Georgian bread (puri) or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of Georgian adjika for a more complex flavor profile.