Ruta Smith file photo

Charleston chefs can’t serve you in their dining rooms right now, but they can help you create some of their favorite dishes at home. In the coming days, while local spots remain closed, we will bring you new recipes from local chefs at your favorite Charleston restaurants.
[content-1]

Fricase de Pollo

This traditional heartwarming dish makes for a healthy yet satisfying weekday dinner.

Ingredients 

Chicken thighs: 4
Garlic cloves (peeled and smashed): 3
Fresh sour orange juice (if not available, substitute equal parts orange juice and lime juice): 1 cup
Fresh oregano: 1 small bunch
Extra virgin olive oil: 2 ounces
Yellow onion: 1
Green pepper: 1
Garlic cloves (minced): 3
Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
Dried cumin: 1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves: 3
Dry white wine: 1 cup
Crushed San Marzano tomatoes: 12 ounces
Capers (drained and rinsed): 2 ounces
Chicken stock: 1 cup
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Place chicken thighs in a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper. Top with the smashed garlic and fresh oregano. Pour the sour orange juice over the chicken and cover. Allow chicken to marinate in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Remove from marinade and pat dry.
  • Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven at medium high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down in oil until they are golden brown and well seared. Flip over and lower heat to medium low and cook on bottom for 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove chicken from the dutch oven and hold in a large pan collecting the drippings that it will release. In the same dutch oven, add the onion and peppers and sweat until translucent with no color. Add the garlic and sweat. Next, add the dry spices (oregano, cumin, bay leaves) and cook until fragrant. About 1 minute.
  • Add the white wine and deglaze the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off. Add the tomatoes and capers, and cook down for about 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
  • Lower heat and allow to simmer for 30-40 minutes covered until cooked through. Check the sauce for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary.


Help keep the City Paper free.

No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.

Help support independent journalism by donating today.