Ukrainian Chicken Zharkoye
A hearty and comforting Ukrainian stew featuring tender chicken pieces braised with potatoes, carrots, onions, and a rich, savory broth, often seasoned with dill and bay leaves. It's a rustic dish perfect for a family meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 Bay leaves
- 0.5 cup Fresh dill(chopped, for garnish)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before placing the dish inside. - 2
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Drying the chicken helps achieve a crispier skin. - 3
Heat vegetable oil in a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pot; sear in batches if necessary. - 4
Remove chicken from the pot and set aside. Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes💡 Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. - 5
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chopped potatoes, sliced carrots, and bay leaves.
💡 Tip: Arrange vegetables around the chicken pieces. - 7
Pour in the chicken broth. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
💡 Tip: The liquid should come about halfway up the ingredients. - 8
Bring the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
💡 Tip: A tight seal is crucial for even cooking. - 9
Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the vegetables are soft.
⏱️ 1 hour 15 minutes💡 Tip: Check for doneness by piercing the thickest part of the chicken with a fork. - 10
Remove from oven, discard bay leaves. Garnish generously with fresh chopped dill before serving.
💡 Tip: Dill adds a fresh, aromatic finish.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste with the onions.
- ✓If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of flour with a little cold water and stir it into the pot during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- ✓This dish is excellent served with a dollop of sour cream.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or celery root.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Use pork shoulder instead of chicken for a different flavor profile.