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What is chakhokhbili and how do you make it?

Chicken stew with tomatoes and herbs.

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Short answer

Chakhokhbili is a Georgian stew of chicken with onions, tomatoes and herbs, and it was originally made with pheasant. The chicken is stewed under a lid over very low heat in its own fat, then onions, tomatoes, coriander, garlic and pepper are added. Below is the recipe with amounts.

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Why

  1. The original chakhokhbili was made with pheasant and today it is usually made with chicken.
  2. The meat is stewed without added water in its own fat, which is why a fatty chicken and a heavy pot with a lid are needed.
  3. For a newer flavor, add red peppers, basil, parsley and dry red wine.

Details

Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 chicken (1 to 1.5 kg)
  • 4 onions
  • 700 g tomatoes
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1 bunch of coriander
  • green pepper
  • red pepper
  • salt to taste

Optional, for a newer flavor:

  • 2 red peppers
  • a small bunch each of basil and parsley
  • 1 cup of dry red wine

Method:

  1. Cut a rinsed, fatty chicken, place it in a heavy pot with a lid and cook over very low heat.
  2. After about 30 minutes, when the fat is rendering and the meat is tender, add minced onion (and red peppers if you like). If there is not enough fat, add butter. Fry well.
  3. Once the vegetables soften, remove the lid, stir and fry for about five more minutes.
  4. Add a grated or minced skinned tomato and let it boil until there is enough juice to cover the meat.
  5. Add crushed coriander, garlic, pepper and salt. Top with chopped basil and parsley (and wine, if using), cover and simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Names of other dishes are collected in what Georgian dishes are called, and for more to try see what food to try in Georgia.

Tip

Use a fatty chicken: in the recipe the meat stews in its own fat, and butter is added if there is not enough.

What may differ

Cooking times, heat and the amounts of pepper and salt vary, so adjust them as you go. The version with red peppers, basil and wine is a newer take, and the composition differs from cook to cook.

Common misconception

Chakhokhbili is always made from chicken.

What actually happens

The original chakhokhbili was made with pheasant, and chicken is the usual base today.

People also ask

  • What is chakhokhbili?
  • How to cook chicken chakhokhbili?

Sources

This answer is for reference. Adjust taste and spices to your liking.

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