Pileća Bela Čorba (Serbian White Chicken Stew)
Pileća Bela Čorba, or White Chicken Stew, is a comforting and elegant Serbian dish. It's a creamy, flavorful chicken soup enriched with vegetables and finished with a tempering of egg yolk and sour cream, giving it a distinctive white hue and a tangy, velvety texture. Often served on special occasions, it's a lighter yet satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups Water(about 1 L)
- 2 pieces Chicken(thighs or breast, bone-in or boneless)
- 1 large Onion(quartered)
- 1 large Carrot(diced)
- 2 medium Celery stalks(1 whole, 1 diced)
- 1 large Potato(chopped)
- 1 large Egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons Sour cream(full fat)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice(fresh)
- to taste Parsley(fresh or dried, chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Salt(or more, to taste)
- 2-3 tablespoons Vegeta seasoning(or more, to taste)
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large soup pot, combine water, chicken pieces, and the whole onion and celery stalk. Cover and cook over medium heat until the chicken is fully cooked (about 30 minutes).
⏱️ 30 minutes💡 Tip: Using bone-in chicken will add more flavor to the broth. - 2
Remove the cooked chicken and the whole vegetables from the pot. Discard the vegetables. Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred or dice it into small pieces.
- 3
To the broth, add the diced carrot, chopped potato, and diced celery. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add salt, black pepper, and Vegeta seasoning.
💡 Tip: Ensure all vegetables are cut into uniform sizes for even cooking. - 4
Cook uncovered until the vegetables are tender (about 15-20 minutes).
⏱️ 15-20 minutes💡 Tip: Keep the pot uncovered to allow the broth to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors. - 5
While the stew is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and sour cream. Slowly ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth into the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs.
- 6
Slowly pour the tempered egg yolk and sour cream mixture into the simmering stew, stirring continuously. Add the fresh lemon juice.
💡 Tip: Stirring constantly is essential to create a smooth, creamy texture without curdling. - 7
Reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh or dried parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: Do not let the stew boil after adding the egg mixture.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use homemade chicken stock instead of water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of Vegeta and salt to your preference.
- ✓Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a small amount of flour mixed with water and added before the egg yolk mixture to thicken the stew further.
- A splash of white wine can be added to the broth for extra depth of flavor.