RecipesGeorgiaShkmeruli

Shkmeruli

A flavorful Georgian chicken dish cooked in a creamy garlic sauce, often served with mchadi (cornbread).

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Shkmeruli - Georgia traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg Whole chicken(cut into pieces)
  • 10 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 50 g Butter
  • 200 ml Milk or cream
  • 100 ml Water
  • 0.5 bunch Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.

    💡 Tip: Ensure even seasoning for best flavor.
  2. 2

    In a large oven-safe skillet or pot, brown the chicken pieces on all sides over medium-high heat. You may need to do this in batches. Remove chicken and set aside.

    ⏱️ 10-15 minutes
  3. 3

    Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
    💡 Tip: Low heat prevents garlic from burning and becoming bitter.
  4. 4

    Pour in the milk (or cream) and water. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

    💡 Tip: This deglazing process adds depth of flavor.
  5. 5

    Return the chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer on the stovetop or transfer to a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 30-40 minutes.

    ⏱️ 30-40 minutes
    💡 Tip: Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
  6. 6

    Once cooked, garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

    💡 Tip: Fresh herbs brighten the dish.

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk.
  • Adjust garlic quantity to your preference.
  • Serve hot with Georgian mchadi (cornbread) or rice.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
  • A splash of white wine can be added with the milk for extra flavor.

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