Chicken Tava Recipe
Delicious chicken tava recipe with juicy chicken, spices, and veggies. A Turkish-inspired dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Large skillet (or an oven-safe pan)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs diced
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 medium bell peppers any color, sliced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Dice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Note: Opting for chicken thighs gives you juicier, more flavorful meat compared to chicken breast.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Toss in the bell peppers and sauté until they’re soft.
- Finally, add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, just until fragrant.
- Warning: Garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it! Burnt garlic will turn the dish bitter, and nobody wants that.
Cook the Chicken
- Push the veggies to one side of the skillet.
- Add the remaining olive oil and chicken pieces.
- Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown.
- Fact: Browning the chicken gives it a lovely depth of flavor – don’t skip this step!
Combine and Simmer
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, and paprika.
- Mix everything well and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors are fully combined.
- Tip: Adding tomato paste gives a rich, tangy base to the dish. You’ll notice the sauce thickens beautifully.
Notes
- Spice it up: Add a dash of red pepper flakes if you prefer some heat.
- Lemon touch: Squeeze fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten up the flavors.
- Rest before serving: Let the chicken tava rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.