Chakhokhbili is Georgia’s beloved chicken stew, slow-simmered with tomatoes, onions, and fragrant khmeli-suneli. The chicken turns meltingly tender in its own rich sauce, finished with fresh cilantro and garlic. Serve it with bread or your favorite side and enjoy a taste of the Caucasus — fans of cozy one-pot dinners will also love our Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Stew.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 3 onions
- 5 tomatoes
- 1 bunch cilantro
- Salt, pepper, and khmeli-suneli
- 3-4 garlic cloves
Instructions
- Slice the onion not too finely and cut the chicken into pieces.
- Brown the chicken in vegetable oil on both sides until crisp.
- Add the onion, salt, and pepper, and let it soften for about 10 minutes.
- Peel the tomatoes, dice them, and add to the chicken along with the khmeli-suneli. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped herbs and garlic.
- Serve with your favorite side or on its own.
Tips
- Brown the chicken well on both sides — the golden crust builds deep flavor. For another comforting chicken one-pot, see our Braised Cabbage with Chicken.
- Peel the tomatoes for a silky sauce; a quick blanch makes the skins slip right off. If you like easy chicken dinners, try our Quick Chicken Pilaf too.
- Stir the herbs and garlic in at the very end, off the heat, to keep them bright. Georgian recipes like this one are regularly featured at BBC Good Food, and the USDA offers guidance on safe chicken cooking temperatures.
Nutrition: per 100 g: 111.35 kcal, protein 15.49 g, fat 4.36 g, carbs 2.56 g.