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Brasileiro Chicken Curry Pot

Serves 4 to 6 Entree chicken, Poultry

Brasileiro Chicken Curry Pot

Brasileiro Chicken Curry Pot is a cherished home-style dish, prepared with an intuitive hand for seasoning and a love for generous flavors. It is a staple in Brazilian households, where it brings warmth to weekday dinners and special family gatherings alike. This version captures the essence of how it is lovingly cooked at home, where the salt is measured by instinct and the fat is embraced without hesitation.

The dish melds the sweetness of onions and tomatoes with a robust spice paste, wrapping tender chicken pieces in a comforting embrace of flavor. Each bite should be a harmonious blend of savory and aromatic notes, with a gentle kick from the black pepper. It's a dish that invites communal enjoyment, meant to be shared and savored at the table.

Ingredients

  • 800 gchicken pieces
  • 2onions
  • 2tomatoes
  • 2 tbspoil
  • 1 tbspspice paste
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by patting the 800 g of chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season the chicken generously with fine sea salt and black pepper, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, skin-side down if applicable, and brown them on all sides. Look for a golden-brown crust to form, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes per side, indicating that the flavors are developing well.
  2. While the chicken browns, finely chop 2 onions and 2 tomatoes. Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the pot and set aside on a plate. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. This step allows the onions to release their sweetness and form the base of the curry.
  3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the onions in the pot, stirring to combine. Cook the mixture until the tomatoes break down and meld with the onions, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of spice paste, allowing it to coat the vegetables and release its aroma. This step is crucial for infusing the dish with its characteristic flavors.
  4. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the aromatic mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chicken simmer gently. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, with juices running clear when pierced, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The sauce should thicken slightly, coating the chicken pieces.
  5. If the sauce appears too thin, remove the lid and increase the heat slightly to allow it to reduce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional fine sea salt and black pepper as needed. The sauce should be rich and flavorful, complementing the tender chicken.
  6. Finish the dish by stirring in fresh herbs of your choice, such as chopped cilantro or parsley, just before serving. This adds a fresh, vibrant touch to the curry. Serve the Brasileiro Chicken Curry Pot family-style, allowing everyone to enjoy the communal experience typical of Brazilian home cooking.
Cover of Authentic Brazilian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Brazilian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Brazilian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Brazilian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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