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Romanian Creamed Chicken (Ciulama de Pui) 🍗🇷🇴
Ciulama de Pui is a traditional Romanian comfort dish, featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with mushrooms, garlic, and sweet paprika. This flavorful stew is best served with mămăligă (polenta) or fresh bread to soak up every drop of its delicious gravy! 🥄🍗
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken, cleaned, skinned, and cut into 8 pieces
- 4-6 additional chicken legs, skinned and thighs separated
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
- 2 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 cups 35% or 18% cream, or a combination
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- Sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a large bowl, mix onions, garlic, celery, and carrots.
- Place half of the vegetable mixture in an ovenproof casserole with a lid.
- Layer chicken pieces on top, followed by the remaining vegetables. Cover and bake for 1 hour.
- While baking, heat a pan over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms until they release their moisture and start to brown. Set aside. 🍄
- After 1 hour, check the stew. If the vegetables are still firm or the chicken undercooked, bake for another 15–20 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour and cream until smooth. Pour into the casserole along with mushrooms and paprika.
- Cover and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, stir well, and season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or dill. 🌿 Serve hot with mămăligă (polenta) or fresh bread.
Notes
There’s something magical about Ciulama de Pui, the Romanian take on creamed chicken. While similar to a chicken fricassee found in other cuisines, this dish has a way of making people rush to the table, ready to indulge.
I remember my grandmother pulling a steaming roaster filled with creamy chicken from the oven, and the entire family would instinctively loosen their belts in preparation for the feast ahead. That’s the power of comfort food—simple, hearty, and best enjoyed with loved ones. ❤️
🥄 Cooking Notes & Tips
- Use the Neck & Gizzards! Toss them into the pot while cooking for extra flavor. If no one in your family enjoys them, simply remove them before serving.
- The Secret to Authentic Flavor: In Romania, this dish traditionally includes smetana (a rich soured cream). While it’s not always available, a mix of heavy cream and crème fraîche can create a similar depth of flavor.
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How to Eat Like a Pro:
- Get in early and grab a chicken leg—it’s the best part! 🍗
- Always save some creamy gravy for the end. A good chunk of bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop. 🥖
- Pair with Mămăligă, the Romanian version of polenta, for a traditional experience.
