Sicilian Chicken

17/11/2023

I can provide you with the recipe for Sicilian Chicken, a dish that exploits the flavors and aromas of the Mediterranean. Here is the recipe with a small Italian twist that involves the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs
2 cloves of garlic
1 onion
400 g of peeled tomatoes
150 g of pitted green olives
2 tablespoons of desalted capers
Fresh or dried oregano to taste
1 glass of white wine
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
A pinch of sugar (optional)
Fresh basil (optional)

Preparation

Start by cleaning the chicken thighs and patting them dry with kitchen paper. Salt and pepper them.
Heat a stream of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan and add the chopped garlic and onion cut into thin slices. Sauté until they become translucent.
Add the chicken thighs to the pan and brown them on all sides until the skin becomes golden and crispy.
Deglaze with white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
Add the peeled tomatoes, slightly crushing them with a spoon, a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes (if necessary), and the oregano.
Cook everything on a medium-low heat, covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is well cooked and the sauce has thickened. If necessary, add a little water during cooking.
Halfway through cooking, add the olives and capers to the sauce.
Before serving, if you like, add hand-torn fresh basil to give an extra touch of freshness.
Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before removing it from the heat.

This dish is excellent if served with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple mixed salad. If you wish to pair it with a wine, a good Sicilian rosé or a slightly fruity white might be just right.

Curiosity

Sicilian Chicken is an example of how Sicilian cuisine incorporates typically Mediterranean ingredients like olives, capers, and tomato, drawing inspiration from both peasant cooking and the cuisine of the island’s ancient rulers, such as the Greeks and the Arabs.