Chicken Stew with Rice

Chicken Stew with Rice Recipe - Comforting and Flavorful Meal for Any Night

Preparation time: 4 hours | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Chicken stew with rice is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken drumsticks with a flavorful stew made with onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, chiles, tomatoes, mushrooms, and corn. The dish is served over hot cooked couscous and garnished with fresh cilantro, lettuce leaves, and sliced tomatoes.

History

Chicken stew with rice is a popular dish in many cultures around the world. It is a versatile and customizable recipe that can be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and aromatic spices makes this dish a favorite among home cooks and food enthusiasts.

Ingredients

8 to 10 chicken drumsticks
vegetable oil for frying
corn flour, for dredging

Chicken SEASONING

1 tbsp peeled and finely grated fresh ginger
3 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tbsp garlic salt
4 tbsp cornstarch

STEW

0.67 cup oil from frying chicken
3 large yellow or red onions, minced
8 green onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tbsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
1 green bell pepper, seeded and minced
3 to 4 hot chiles, seeded and minced
4 tomatoes, blanched, peeled, and pureed or 1 13 oz (410 g) can *Italian peeled tomatoes, undrained and pureed
1 tbsp tomato paste
0.25 lb (125 g) button mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
3 tbsp fresh or frozen corn
2 cup chicken stock
3 tbsp chopped cilantro, for garnish
6 cup hot cooked long-grain rice or couscous, as accompaniment
lettuce leaves, for garnish
1 or 2 tomatoes, sliced, for garnish

How to prepare

Rinse and dry the chicken pieces. Mix the seasoning ingredients and coat the chicken drumsticks with the mixture. Toss well to ensure even coating. Cover and set aside in a cool place for about 4 hours or, preferably, overnight in a refrigerator.
Heat vegetable oil for frying in a large, heavy-based, nonstick, deep skillet. Coat each seasoned drumstick with cornstarch and fry in the hot oil to seal and quickly brown the outside (about 3 to 4 minutes each). Turn the chicken to ensure even browning. Once it turns golden brown, remove the chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat the process with all the chicken pieces. Cover and set aside.

Variations

You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables such as carrots, peas, or potatoes to the stew.
You can also adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer chiles to suit your taste preferences.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to coat the chicken drumsticks evenly with the seasoning mixture and allow them to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.

- Use a large, heavy-based skillet to fry the chicken drumsticks to ensure even browning and sealing of the outside.

- Be sure to drain the fried chicken drumsticks on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.

- Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro, lettuce leaves, and sliced tomatoes for a colorful and appetizing presentation.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the chicken stew with rice over hot cooked couscous for a complete and filling meal.

Cooking Techniques

Frying the chicken drumsticks in vegetable oil helps to seal in the juices and create a crispy outer layer.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use chicken thighs or breasts instead of drumsticks in this recipe.

- You can substitute couscous with rice or quinoa as a base for the stew.

Make Ahead Tips

You can marinate the chicken drumsticks in the seasoning mixture ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight for maximum flavor.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro, lettuce leaves, and sliced tomatoes for a colorful and appetizing presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve this chicken stew with rice dish with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

380 per serving

Carbohydrates

45g per serving

Fats

12g per serving

Proteins

28g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and iron.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the corn flour used for dredging the chicken drumsticks.

Summary

This chicken stew with rice dish is a balanced meal that provides a good source of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a nutritious and satisfying option for a family dinner.

Summary

Chicken stew with rice is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken drumsticks with a flavorful stew made with onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, chiles, tomatoes, mushrooms, and corn. Serve over hot cooked couscous and garnish with fresh cilantro, lettuce leaves, and sliced tomatoes for a colorful and appetizing presentation. Enjoy this nutritious and satisfying meal with your loved ones!

How did I get this recipe?

The moment I found this recipe is one that will always stay with me. It was many years ago, during a summer afternoon in my small village in Italy. I was walking through the bustling market, surrounded by the vibrant colors and enticing smells of fresh produce and spices. As I made my way through the crowd, a sweet aroma caught my attention. I followed my nose to a small food stall where an elderly woman was cooking up a delicious chicken stew with rice.

I watched in awe as she expertly chopped vegetables, seasoned the chicken, and simmered everything together in a large pot. The delicious smells wafted through the air, making my mouth water. I knew I had to learn how to make this dish for myself. I approached the woman and asked her for the recipe. She smiled warmly and invited me to watch and learn.

For the rest of the afternoon, I shadowed the woman as she cooked, taking notes and asking questions. She shared with me her secrets for creating the perfect chicken stew with rice - from using a combination of fresh herbs and spices to the importance of simmering the stew slowly to allow the flavors to meld together. I was captivated by her knowledge and passion for cooking, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen.

After hours of watching and learning, the woman finally handed me a handwritten recipe card with detailed instructions on how to make the chicken stew with rice. I thanked her profusely and promised to carry on her culinary traditions in my own home. That day marked the beginning of my journey to becoming a skilled cook and a keeper of family recipes.

Over the years, I have made this chicken stew with rice countless times, adapting and perfecting the recipe to suit my own tastes. I have shared it with friends and family, who always rave about its comforting flavors and hearty ingredients. Each time I make it, I am reminded of that fateful day in the market when I learned the recipe from a kind stranger who became a mentor and friend.

To make the chicken stew with rice, start by gathering your ingredients: chicken thighs, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, tomatoes, chicken broth, rice, and a blend of herbs and spices. In a large pot, brown the chicken thighs until they are golden and crispy. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

In the same pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they are soft and fragrant. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, and a mixture of herbs and spices, such as oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the chicken to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Let the stew cook slowly over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender. As the stew simmers, prepare the rice according to the package instructions. Once the rice is cooked, serve the chicken stew over a bed of fluffy rice and garnish with fresh herbs.

This chicken stew with rice recipe has become a beloved favorite in my family, passed down through generations as a symbol of comfort and tradition. Every time I make it, I am transported back to that summer day in the market, learning from a wise woman who shared her culinary expertise with me. I am grateful for her guidance and the memories we created together in the kitchen.

As I continue to cook and experiment with new recipes, I always come back to this chicken stew with rice as a reminder of where my culinary journey began. It is a dish that brings people together, warms the soul, and nourishes the body. And for that, I will always cherish the moment I found this recipe and the woman who shared it with me.