Spicy Basque Chicken

Spicy Basque Chicken Recipe - Delicious and Savory Dish from Basque

Region / culture: Basque | Servings: 4

Introduction

Spicy Basque Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken breast with a spicy tomato sauce, bell peppers, onions, and olives. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests.

History

Basque cuisine originates from the Basque region of Spain and France, known for its bold flavors and use of fresh, local ingredients. Spicy Basque Chicken is a popular dish in this region, showcasing the vibrant flavors of paprika, cayenne pepper, and olives.

Ingredients

3 tbsp all-purpose flour
4 skinless and boneless chicken breast halves
Low fat cooking spray
2 bell peppers (any color), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
0.13 tsp cayenne pepper
1 x 14.5 oz (411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
0.25 cup low-sodium chicken broth
0.25 cup pitted and sliced olives
1 tbsp fresh oregano

How to prepare

Place flour in a shallow dish. Add chicken, one piece at a time, and coat both sides. Set aside.
Spray a medium skillet with low-fat cooking spray. Raise heat to medium-high. Add chicken and cook until browned on each side (about 4–5 minutes). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
To the same skillet, add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the paprika and cayenne and continue to cook for about 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes, broth, and olives. Raise heat to bring to a boil. Add chicken and spoon the sauce over the pieces. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 10–15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center of the thickest part of the meat.
Serve chicken on a platter with the tomato sauce spooned over and garnished with fresh oregano.

Variations

Add chorizo or spicy sausage for an extra kick of flavor.
Use different colored bell peppers for a visually appealing dish.
Substitute chicken thighs for a more tender and juicy result.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to coat the chicken in flour before cooking to create a crispy outer layer.

- Stir-fry the vegetables until they are crisp-tender to maintain their texture and flavor.

- Simmer the chicken in the tomato sauce to allow the flavors to meld together and the chicken to cook through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Spicy Basque Chicken with a side of rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce. A fresh green salad or steamed vegetables make a great accompaniment.

Cooking Techniques

Stir-fry the vegetables until they are crisp-tender.

- Simmer the chicken in the tomato sauce to allow the flavors to meld together.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of this dish.

- Substitute black olives for green olives for a different flavor profile.

Make Ahead Tips

Spicy Basque Chicken can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Spicy Basque Chicken on a large platter garnished with fresh oregano for a pop of color. Add a sprinkle of paprika for an extra touch of spice.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Spicy Basque Chicken with a glass of Rioja wine or a crisp Spanish white wine. A side of crusty bread or rice complements the dish perfectly.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of Spicy Basque Chicken 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

Each serving of Spicy Basque Chicken contains approximately 300 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Spicy Basque Chicken contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Spicy Basque Chicken contains approximately 8 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Spicy Basque Chicken contains approximately 30 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Spicy Basque Chicken is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C from the bell peppers and onions, and iron from the chicken.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the all-purpose flour and may contain sulfites from the olives.

Summary

Spicy Basque Chicken is a balanced meal that provides a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Spicy Basque Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breast with a spicy tomato sauce, bell peppers, onions, and olives. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Spicy Basque Chicken. As a young girl growing up in the Basque country, I was always intrigued by the flavors and aromas that filled our kitchen. My grandmother, a talented cook herself, would often spend hours preparing delicious meals for our family. I would watch in awe as she worked her magic, adding a pinch of this and a dash of that, creating dishes that were always bursting with flavor.

One day, as I sat at the kitchen table watching my grandmother cook, she handed me a worn and tattered recipe card. It was written in her elegant script, and as I read through the ingredients and instructions, I could feel my mouth watering in anticipation. Spicy Basque Chicken – the name alone was enough to make my heart race with excitement.

I asked my grandmother where she had learned to make this dish, and she smiled and told me a story that I will never forget. She said that when she was a young woman, she had traveled to a small village in the Basque country to visit an old friend. This friend was a renowned cook in the village, and she had invited my grandmother to watch as she prepared a special meal for her family.

As my grandmother stood in the friend's kitchen, she watched in amazement as the woman worked her magic, adding spices and herbs with a deft hand, creating a dish that was unlike anything my grandmother had ever tasted before. When the meal was finally served, my grandmother took one bite and knew that she had to learn the recipe for herself.

She spent the next few days in the kitchen with her friend, watching and learning as she cooked. She asked questions, took notes, and tried to commit every detail to memory. And when it was time for her to leave, her friend handed her a recipe card with the instructions for Spicy Basque Chicken written on it.

My grandmother brought the recipe card back home with her, and over the years, she perfected the dish, adding her own twist to make it truly her own. And now, as I held that same recipe card in my hands, I knew that it was my turn to carry on the tradition.

I spent hours in the kitchen, carefully following the instructions on the card, adding a pinch of this and a dash of that, just as my grandmother had taught me. And when the dish was finally ready, I took a bite and closed my eyes in bliss. The flavors were bold and spicy, with just the right amount of heat to make my taste buds sing.

As I sat at the table enjoying the meal, I couldn't help but think of my grandmother and the legacy that she had passed down to me. I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen, a dish that I would make for my family and friends for years to come.

And as I finished the last bite of Spicy Basque Chicken, I felt a sense of gratitude for the culinary heritage that had been passed down to me. I knew that my grandmother was looking down on me with pride, knowing that her love for cooking had been passed down through the generations. And I was grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition, creating delicious meals that would bring joy and comfort to those I love.