Contents
A traditional Romanian garlic chicken stew, known as Ostropel de Pui, made with chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and white wine, simmered to perfection and served with polenta.
Ingredients
- 700 g chicken legs or drumsticks 🍗
- 8 garlic cloves, minced, grated, or sliced 🧄
- 1 onion, finely chopped 🧅
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes 🍅
- 200 ml chicken stock
- 100 ml white wine (optional) 🍷
- 2 tbsp oil (for frying)
- Salt & pepper, to taste 🧂
- Fresh parsley or thyme, for garnish 🌿
- Polenta or mashed potatoes, for serving 🍽️
Instructions
Brown the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Place them in the pan and fry for about 9-10 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Sauté the Aromatics:
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until soft and translucent (about 3 minutes).
- Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes to evaporate the alcohol.
Create the Sauce:
- Add the chopped tomatoes and chicken stock, stirring well.
- Return the chicken to the pan, ensuring it’s submerged in the sauce.
Simmer to Perfection:
- Cover with a lid and let it simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Serve & Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme.
- Serve hot with polenta or mashed potatoes. 🥄
Notes
This Romanian Garlic Chicken Stew (Ostropel de Pui) is a dish full of nostalgia, rich flavors, and comforting warmth. It takes me back to childhood visits to my grandmother’s house, where the aroma of garlic and simmering chicken filled the air.
I remember how my mother would insist we walk there instead of taking the bus, much to my dismay. But once we arrived, all was forgotten as my sister and I played while the grown-ups chatted and cooked in the kitchen. Without fail, my grandmother would prepare this garlicky, rich, and deeply comforting stew, and my grandfather would make polenta to serve alongside it.
This dish is simple, hearty, and packed with flavor, and now, after more than 20 years, I’m recreating my grandmother’s recipe to relive those precious memories. Let’s dive into this authentic Romanian classic! 🇷🇴
This looks absolutely delicious! I love the simplicity of the ingredients and the promise of that garlicky, rich flavor. The photo (if there is one!) would make me want to run to the kitchen right now. Definitely adding this to my “to-cook” list – thanks for sharing!