Tocăniță de Pui cu Smântână
A comforting and creamy chicken stew, simmered in a rich sauce made with sour cream, onions, and often flavored with paprika and dill. It's a hearty dish typically served with mămăligă or mashed potatoes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp Paprika(sweet)
- 250 ml Chicken broth
- 200 g Sour cream(full fat)
- 1/4 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure even seasoning for consistent flavor. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces in batches, then remove and set aside.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes💡 Tip: Lower heat if onions start to brown too quickly. - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Sprinkle the flour and paprika over the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
⏱️ 2 minutes💡 Tip: This step helps thicken the sauce. - 6
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Whisking continuously prevents lumps. - 7
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 8
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream and chopped dill. Stir this mixture into the stew.
💡 Tip: Temper the sour cream by adding a ladleful of the hot stew liquid to it before adding it to the pot, to prevent curdling. - 9
Simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Do not boil after adding sour cream.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: Gentle heat is key to a smooth, creamy sauce. - 10
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using chicken thighs results in a more tender and flavorful stew than breast meat.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a bay leaf during the simmering process and remove it before serving.
- ✓This dish pairs wonderfully with mămăligă, mashed potatoes, or rice.
🔄 Variations
- Add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers along with the onions for extra texture and flavor.
- A pinch of cayenne pepper can add a subtle kick.