Croatian Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken pieces, bone-in and skin-on 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken pieces, bone-in and skin-on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 6g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the diced bell peppers to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Return the chicken to the pot and add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaves from the stew before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
7. 7.
   Serve the Žgvacet od kokoši hot, either on its own or with a side of rice or mashed potatoes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For the best flavor and tenderness, use bone-in and skin-on chicken pieces. This will add richness to the stew and prevent the meat from drying out during cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• To add an extra layer of flavor, marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the stew.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Žgvacet od kokoši in deep bowls, allowing the aromatic steam to waft up and entice your senses. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic earthenware bowls to evoke the traditional Croatian charm.