Kavarma Chicken and Vegetables
A hearty and flavorful Bulgarian stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with a medley of vegetables, often including peppers, onions, tomatoes, and carrots, seasoned with paprika and other traditional spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 2 large Bell peppers(mixed colors, seeded and chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced, or fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 tsp Paprika(sweet)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 200 ml Water or chicken broth
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- 2
Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned.
- 4
Add bell peppers and carrots, and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- 5
Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 6
Add diced tomatoes, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine.
💡 Tip: Ensure paprika is well distributed to avoid burning. - 7
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in water or chicken broth.
💡 Tip: Add more liquid if needed to partially cover the ingredients. - 8
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, or until chicken is very tender and flavors have melded.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use a clay pot (gyuvetche) for baking after the initial stovetop simmering.
- ✓Adjust the amount of paprika to your preference for spice.
- ✓Adding a bay leaf during simmering can enhance the aroma.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cumin for an earthy note.
- Include diced potatoes or zucchini for a more substantial stew.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.