Ostropel de Pui (Romanian Garlic and Tomato Chicken)
Local name: Ostropel de pui
In short: Chicken pieces simmered with plenty of garlic, paprika and ripe tomatoes into a rich sauce, served over polenta or with fresh bread. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Ostropel is a garlicky chicken stew that Romanians cook when tomatoes are ripe and cheap. The chicken is browned, then simmered with plenty of garlic, paprika and tomato until the sauce turns thick and glossy. The flavor is bold but not hot, and the sauce is made for mopping up with polenta or bread. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken skin side down for 5 minutes, then turn and brown the other side for 4 minutes. Do this in two batches and set the chicken aside.
- Pour off all but 2 tbsp of the fat. Cook the onions in the pot over medium heat for 8 minutes, until soft and golden.
- Add the garlic and paprika and stir for 30 seconds, no longer, because paprika turns bitter if it scorches.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, bell pepper, bay leaves, thyme and water or wine, and scrape up the browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the chicken to the pot, skin side up. Cover and simmer over low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken reaches at least 74°C (165°F) and the thighs are tender.
- Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes more, until the sauce is thick. Scatter with parsley and serve over polenta, rice or with bread.
Tips
- For a hotter ostropel, add a sliced fresh chili with the garlic or finish with a pinch of chili flakes. Many cooks also add a splash of vinegar at the end.
- Boneless thighs also work. Cut them into large pieces and shorten the simmering to 20 to 25 minutes.
Questions and answers
How is ostropel different from chicken paprikash?
Ostropel is built on tomatoes and a lot of garlic, with paprika as a supporting flavor. Chicken paprikash is paprika-led and usually finished with sour cream.
What do you serve with ostropel?
Mămăligă is the classic partner. Rice, mashed potatoes or crusty bread also soak up the sauce well.
Can I make ostropel ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes better after a night. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Ostropel de Pui (Romanian Garlic and Tomato Chicken)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ostropel de Pui (Romanian Garlic and Tomato Chicken)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
