Have your butcher chop you up a chicken and make this delightful family dish.  It’s a palate satisfier, which craves accompaniments such as bread and wine.  I put it together with some quinoa, and I’m very pleased to say its a keeper.  This Italian country chicken splendor will definitely be one of my go to meals when I have a crowd visiting.

 

Italian Country Chicken

 

Have you cooked with saba before? It’s wonderful, I encountered saba in my local grocery store, in Harlem called Fairway.  The store had bowls of oils and vinegar and there was bread for dipping, so my curiosity was instantly peaked.  I dipped a piece of ciabatta into one of the fresh new bowls of saba the store attendant had just brought out (safety first) and a new love was born.  Saba is good in sauces, dressings, and naked on bread.  It packs a big punch – give it a try, you’ll love it!

 

Saba

 

Print Recipe

Italian Country Chicken

A satisfying family meal
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Viella

Ingredients

  • One whole chicken cut into portion sized pieces
  • 3 cups crushed or chopped tomatoes tinned is fine
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste or puree
  • 1 cup red onion sliced
  • 1/2 cup basil
  • 2 tbsp saba balsamic vinegar is a decent alternative
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp dried oregano or 1/2 cup of fresh oregano
  • 2 oz unsalted butter
  • 3 bay leaves

Instructions

  • Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and oregano
  • Set chicken aside and prepare sauce
  • Add butter to large pot on a medium heat
  • Once butter has melted add onion
  • Mix onion until they begin to sweat just slightly and then grate garlic into the onions - keep mixing, making sure the onion and garlic do not burn
  • Add the tomatoes and the tomato paste and stir until sauce begins to simmer
  • Add basil and saba and stir once more, then add chicken pieces making sure the sauce covers the chicken pieces evenly.
  • Place bay leaves in sauce and then cover and lower heat to a low simmer
  • Cook until chicken starts to fall from the bone, just a little, but pieces are still nicely in tact

Notes

To accompany chicken:
2 1/2 cups of quinoa, follow cooking instructions on the packet.
Once quinoa is cooked, season with kosher salt and olive oil