Classic Chicken Kapama

A traditional Greek dish featuring tender chicken in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, perfect for serving with buttered pasta.

Ingredients

3	chicken, quartered
1	teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1	small dried red chili
1	teaspoon ground allspice
1⁄2	teaspoon oregano, crumbled
1	small cinnamon stick
1	bay leaf
3	peppercorns
2	whole cloves
1 1⁄2	lb (1 ½ lb) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
1⁄2	cup water
1⁄8	cup tomato paste
1⁄4	cup dry white wine
1⁄4	cup olive oil, just less than
1	tablespoon butter

Instructions

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a baking dish.
  3. Cover the chicken with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  4. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
  5. In a large saucepan, combine the dried red chili, ground allspice, crumbled oregano, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, chopped tomatoes, water, tomato paste, white wine, olive oil, and butter.
  6. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, then simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes.
  7. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat.
  8. Remove the chicken from the marinade, pat dry, and brown on all sides in the skillet.
  9. Transfer the browned chicken back to the baking dish.
  10. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, cover with foil, and bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
  11. Before serving, discard the whole spices and enjoy the flavorful sauce.
  12. This dish pairs wonderfully with buttered pasta such as penne or rigatoni.

Jul 20, 2024