Pui de Moldova (Moldavian Chicken)
Pui de Moldova is a traditional Romanian dish from the Moldavia region, featuring tender chicken pieces braised in a rich, savory sauce, often with a hint of garlic and herbs. It's a comforting and flavorful main course that showcases simple, rustic cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on Chicken thighs
- 2 large, thinly sliced Onions
- 6 minced Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 0.5 cup (optional) White wine
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 0.25 cup, chopped Fresh dill
- 0.25 cup, chopped Fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the sliced onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and white wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- 6
Return the chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.
- 7
Simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir in the fresh dill and parsley during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, with the sauce spooned over the chicken.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter along with the oil when browning the chicken.
- ✓If you don't have chicken broth, you can use water and a chicken bouillon cube.
- ✓This dish pairs wonderfully with mămăligă (polenta) or mashed potatoes.
🔄 Variations
- Add a bay leaf to the sauce while simmering for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a touch of sweetness, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to the sauce.
- Some recipes include a small amount of sour cream stirred in at the end for added creaminess.