ჩახოხბილი

Chakhokhbili

The name comes from khokhobi, the Georgian word for pheasant, but today everyone makes it with chicken. It is a weeknight dish: one pot, ripe tomatoes, a lot of onion and a big handful of herbs. Keep bread close for the sauce.

Chakhokhbili · Georgian food in Vancouver, Deda
Illustrative photo
Prep
15 min
Cook
50 min
Total
65 min
Serves
4

Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin on
  • 3 onions, sliced
  • 800 g ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp khmeli suneli
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 hot pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 1 bunch cilantro, 1 small bunch basil and dill
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Brown the chicken skin side down in a dry heavy pot, about 10 minutes, then turn.
  2. Add the onions and cook in the chicken fat until soft.
  3. Add the tomatoes, paprika, khmeli suneli, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Stir in the crushed garlic, hot pepper and chopped herbs. Cook 2 more minutes and turn off the heat.
  5. Let it rest for 10 minutes and serve with bread.

Tamara's tip: in winter, when tomatoes are pale, use a good can of whole tomatoes instead.

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