Macedonian Chicken with Prunes and Apricots
A rich and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken pieces braised with sweet prunes and apricots, aromatic spices, and a hint of red wine. This dish balances savory and sweet notes, making it a comforting and celebratory meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 200 g Dried prunes(pitted)
- 150 g Dried apricots
- 200 ml Red wine
- 300 ml Chicken broth
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensuring the chicken is dry helps achieve a better sear. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Sprinkle the flour and paprika over the onions and garlic, stirring to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the flour.
- 5
Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
- 6
Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth, prunes, apricots, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid mostly covers the chicken. - 7
Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender.
- 8
Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce is too thin, you can simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to thicken.
💡 Tip: The prunes and apricots will release their natural sweetness and thicken the sauce. - 9
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken in red wine and spices overnight.
- ✓If you don't have red wine, a dry white wine or even extra chicken broth can be used, though the flavor profile will change.
- ✓Adjust the amount of prunes and apricots to your preference for sweetness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of toasted walnuts in the last 15 minutes of cooking for added texture.
- Include a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg for a warmer spice profile.
- Use chicken breast instead of thighs, but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out.