Chicken Paprika
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Total: 2 hr 10 min
- Prep: 40 min
- Cook: 1 hr 30 min
Ingredients
4 (12-ounce) chicken breasts or 4 half-chickens
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup peanut oil
4 cups onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup tomato, concasse
2 tablespoons minced marjoram leaves
1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 red bell peppers, both roasted, peeled, cored, seeded, and 1 cut into 1 inch by 1/4-inch strips
2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
2 tablespoons creme fraiche
Napkin Dumplings, recipe follows
Servietten Knudel (Napkin Dumpling):
2 ounces butter
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 small onion, minced
1 loaf white bread, crust trimmed
2 teaspoons minced thyme
2 teaspoons minced chives
1 teaspoon minced parsley
1/4 cup flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
Directions
- Cut each chicken breast into 3 pieces. Season with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of paprika. Lightly coat with flour. In a braising pan, heat peanut oil. Sear chicken pieces until brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and place in a tray.
- Add onions to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until golden brown. Add the garlic and cumin seeds. Cook 1 more minute. Add the tomato paste, tomato, and remaining 2 tablespoons of paprika. Stir until well blended. Add the marjoram, thyme and bay leaf. Deglaze with the vinegar and wine. Add chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add the reserved chicken pieces and cover with a piece of vented parchment paper. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add cream and continue to simmer another 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Transfer chicken to a saute pan. Pour sauce and 1 roasted pepper in a blender. Process to a puree. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pour sauce over chicken. Reheat until warm. Garnish with pepper strips, minced parsley and creme fraiche.
Servietten Knudel (Napkin Dumpling):
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
- In a saute pan, over medium high heat, melt the butter. Cook the garlic and onions until translucent. Do not allow to develop color.
- Cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in a baking sheet and bake in the oven to dry, about 20 minutes. Do not allow to develop color. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Pour the onion mixture all over the bread. Add the thyme, chives, parsley and flour. Toss to evenly distribute the herbs with the bread and flour.
- In a small bowl, combine the egg and milk. Add to the bread mixture. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, to taste.
- Divide the mixture into 6 portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap, roll and secure the ends, shaping like a large sausage. Wrap with a layer of aluminum foil.
- Prepare a steamer. Add wrapped dumplings to the steamer and steam for about 20 minutes. Remove from the pot and unwrap. Slice into 1-inch disks.
- Yield: 6 servings