Pui de Cioban la Tavă (Shepherd's Chicken Bake)
A hearty and flavorful baked chicken dish, often prepared by shepherds, featuring chicken pieces baked with potatoes, onions, garlic, and aromatic herbs, creating a comforting and rustic meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken pieces(mixed parts like thighs, drumsticks, and wings)
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and cut into 2-3 cm cubes)
- 2 large Onions(sliced)
- 6 whole Garlic cloves(peeled)
- 100 ml Olive oil
- 150 ml Dry white wine
- 200 ml Chicken broth
- 4 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary sprigs
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- 2
In a large bowl, toss the cubed potatoes with half of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on a large baking dish or roasting pan.
- 3
In the same bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange the chicken pieces over the potatoes.
- 4
Scatter the sliced onions and whole garlic cloves around the chicken and potatoes.
- 5
Pour the white wine and chicken broth into the baking dish. Tuck the thyme and rosemary sprigs among the ingredients.
- 6
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- 7
Bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, and the potatoes are tender and slightly crispy.
- 8
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon the pan juices over the chicken and potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure chicken pieces are not overcrowded in the pan for even cooking and browning.
- ✓Adjust herbs according to your preference; marjoram is also a good addition.
- ✓For crispier potatoes, you can parboil them for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the baking dish.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped bell peppers or carrots along with the onions.
- A tablespoon of tomato paste can be added to the liquid for a richer flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.