This is a simple recipe for braised chicken and polenta with garlic - a comforting and flavorful dish that requires just a few ingredients.
This chicken and polenta recipe is a true delight! Itโs easy to make, requires just three main ingredients, yet is packed with flavor.
A traditional Romanian dish known as pui cu usturoi ศi mฤmฤligฤ (chicken with garlic and polenta), it showcases the simplicity of Romanian cooking, which often relies on making the most of minimal and affordable ingredients.
Try more polenta main meals, such as Mushroom Polenta Casserole, Italian Polenta al Forno, or make Polenta Orange Cake for dessert.
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What is polenta?
Polenta is a dish made from medium or coarsely ground yellow corn kernels. It is made by cooking the cornmeal in salted water. You could also cook polenta in stock or a mixture of water and milk.
Types of cornmeal
Cornmeal comes in different textures: fine, medium, or coarse.
Fine cornmeal: It is not really suitable for making polenta. I tried it once, and it was not good. Fine cornmeal can be used to make porridge, cornbread, pancakes, or tortillas or to bread chicken, meat, or fish.
Medium cornmeal: I usually prefer medium cornmeal/polenta. It has a shorter cooking time than coarse cornmeal, but it tastes just as good. It should be ready in about 15-20 minutes. You can also use some to make Cornmeal Potatoes, too.
Coarse cornmeal: It is perfect for making polenta as well, but it takes longer to cook - 40 to 50 minutes - than polenta made of medium-ground cornmeal.
Instant polenta: There is also the instant polenta, which is ready in no time. It's ok if you are in a rush, but it's not as good as regular polenta.
Precooked polenta, which comes vacuum-packed, is convenient but not as flavorful as regular polenta and can have a noticeable artificial or plastic aftertaste. The best way I found to use it was to cut it into thick slices and fry them in butter.
Polenta cooking times
As already mentioned, the different kinds of cornmeal have different cooking times; coarse cornmeal takes the longest to cook, while instant cornmeal is ready in a couple of minutes.
ALWAYS check the packet's instructions when you cook polenta. The cooking times differ not only from one type of cornmeal to another but also from one brand of cornmeal/polenta to another.
Recipe ingredients
Chicken quarters: Youโll need four, which youโll divide at the joint to get four thighs and four drumsticks. Alternatively, you can buy pre-cut thighs and drumsticks.
Other ingredients for the braised chicken are garlic cloves, chicken stock, fresh parsley, paprika, oil, fine sea salt, and pepper.
To make the polenta, you will need cornmeal, water, salt, and a little butter.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make chicken with polenta?
Cook the chicken:
- Step #1: Remove the skin from the chicken quarters, as it will become soggy during stewing. Cut the quarters at the joint to separate the thighs from the drumsticks, or use pre-separated pieces.
- Step #2: Brown the chicken in the oil, then add paprika and stir to coat.
- Step #3: Pour in just enough stock to nearly cover the chicken, leaving the tops exposed. Add half of the chopped parsley.
- Step #4: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and cook for about 30 minutes, turning the chicken once. The sauce should be reduced by half. If you prefer a thicker sauce, uncover the pot during the last 5 minutes. I like it runnier to soak up with the polenta.
- Step #5: Finally, add grated garlic and the remaining parsley, cooking for one more minute.
Cook polenta while the chicken cooks:
- Step #6: Heat the water in a large pan, but don't let it boil. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Slowly pour in the polenta, stirring constantly.
- Step #7: Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook according to the packet instructions, stirring often. Mine takes about 20 minutes, but the time may vary depending on the brand.
- Step #8: Stir in the butter. Serve the polenta immediately.
Storage and reheating
You can cook the chicken ahead of time and reheat it before serving. However, the polenta should be served immediately after it's cooked.
Once the polenta cools, it becomes firm, so you can't reheat it by stirring it in a pot. The best way to reheat polenta is to slice it and then fry or grill the slices. These crispy slices are delicious served with sour cream or yogurt, tomato sauce, goulash, stews, and more.
What to serve with it?
The traditional Romanian way to serve polenta chicken is with pickled vegetables. Green tomato pickles or salad with yogurt dressing are my first choice, but you can pair it with your favorite pickles or salad as well.
Do you like this recipe?
Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโt forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!Recipe
Chicken and Polenta
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pan, Note 1
- Large pot
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 chicken quarters Note 2
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 ยฝ cups chicken stock
- small bunch parsley
- 4 large garlic cloves
- fine sea salt and pepper
For the polenta:
- 1 โ cup polenta
- 4 โ cups water
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons butter optional
Instructions
- Remove the skin from the chicken legs and divide them at the joint. Sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper.4 chicken quarters + fine sea salt and pepper
- Brown chicken: Heat the oil in the pan. Place the chicken skin side down and sear it for 3 minutes. Flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Sprinkle the paprika on top and stir well to coat the chicken parts with it. Add the chicken stock; it should cover the meat almost entirely, but the chicken should not be swimming in liquid.2 tablespoons vegetable oil + 1 teaspoon paprika + 1 ยฝ cups chicken stock/ 350 ml
- Simmer: Chop the parsley and add half of it to the chicken. Add some pepper, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cover the pan, leaving a crack open. Cook for about 30 minutes (turning the chicken once in between) or until the meat is cooked through.
- Polenta: Start making the polenta about now if you want to serve this immediately.
- Garlic sauce: By the end of the cooking time, the sauce should have been reduced by half. If you want a thicker sauce, remove the lid from the pot during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time. I don't find it necessary; I like to have a runnier sauce to soak the polenta.
- Grate the garlic cloves and add them to the pan together with the rest of the chopped parsley. Cook for 1 minute, remove from heat and season.4 large garlic cloves + fine sea salt and pepper
Polenta:
- Heat the water in the large pot, but do not let it come to a boil. Add the salt and stir to dissolve. Add the polenta in a slow stream while stirring all the time.4 โ cups water/ 1200 ml + 1 teaspoon fine sea salt + 1 โ cup polenta/ 250 g
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover with a crack, and cook, often stirring, according to the packet's instructions. Mine takes about 20 minutes, but that can differ greatly depending on the polenta you bought.
- Add butter: Once the polenta is ready, stir in the butter.2 teaspoons butter
- Serve chicken and polenta as soon as the polenta is ready.
Notes
- The pan should be large enough to hold the chicken pieces in one layer.
- Chicken: You can divide the quarters at the joint or use 4 chicken thighs and 4 chicken drumsticks.
Mihaela says
Can I use chicken breast too? In my family only I and my son-in-law are eating chicken legs.
Adina says
Sure. Check it sooner, chicken breast cooks quicker.
Laura says
I can't wait to try this! My mom and mamaie always made the most delicious garlic chicken for me growing up, and I've never thought to try it myself until I was looking at the recipe for basic mamaliga and then saw this. Multumesc Adina! Pofta buna ?
Adina says
Cu placere, Laura!
Pam says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! I used my regular polenta recipe but made the chicken following your directions. It was deliciousโthe sauce was amazing! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely make again.
Adina says
Hi Pam, I am so happy to hear it! Thank you for the feedback!
Dean @ Globe Scoffers says
Hi Adina, this dish looks yummy. We have polenta quite often and we make polenta chips. I've tried to make creamy polenta before but it just comes out like a solid lump, any tips?
Adina says
Hi Dean. When I want a creamier polenta I use more water than it is actually necessary, in this case about 1/2 cup water more. Sometimes I mix the water with milk. I hope this will work for you. Thanks for visiting. ๐
Monica says
You sound the way I felt last year. I totally made things simpler this year and it does pay off...but no matter, that mix of delight and stress is definitely part of the holidays for adults/parents. : )
And this chicken dish is totally gorgeous!!
PS - I made Barcelona hot chocolate for x'mas morning and realized I'd left out the cocoa and sugar in the instructions...fixed it..but hope it wasn't too annoying for you when you were reading it...
Adina says
Thanks for the warning about the chocolate. I didn't even realize something was missing, I made the way it was written and I liked it. The sugar was optional anyway, I didn't add any to my cup, I never take sugar with coffee.
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
I am a totaly garlic junkie too, I don't believe that there is such a thing as "too much garlic" ๐ The holidays can be stressful sometimes, I think your plan to keep it simple next year is a good one! Loving this simple and delicious chicken!
Adina says
Thank you, Meghan. And garlic rules!!! ๐
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This looks like total comfort food....total delicious comfort food! I love the frenzy of all the cooking around the holidays, but I also would like it a bit more relaxed....or maybe just find someone to clean up the kitchen after all my frenzied cooking!
Adina says
That would be great, wouldn't it, someone to clean the kitchen after the battle.
marcela says
lovely chicken! looks delicious! Can't wait to give your recipe a try!
Adina says
Thank you, tell me if you give it a try.
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
I am always looking for more chicken recipes. Also, can you believe that I have never tried polenta? On my to-do list for the new year ๐
Adina says
Oh, polenta is so great. Our favorite way to eat it is with cheese and yogurt or sour cream, really mushy and delicious. You should definitely try it!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
Haha, garlic junkie! This chicken seriously sounds so delicious though - easy and full of flavor! I like the idea of serving it with polenta too - I'm always forgetting how much I love polenta. And I'm with you on simplifying... it's so easy to get caught up and want to go overboard at the holidays. Better to slow down and spend that time with family. Next year we'll do better ๐ Cheers to a happy New Years!
Adina says
I have even told my husband he should remind me about keeping it simple next year, I am afraid I always forget that myself. ๐ And we love polenta too, we eat it very often one way or another.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Could this chicken get any more comforting? That bed of creamy polenta is calling my name...
Adina says
I am glad you like it, Sue. ๐
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
This looks like the perfect New Year's comfort food - especially in its cozy bed of polenta! Definitely putting on my must try in 2016 list. ๐
Adina says
Thank you, Kate. It would be great if you tried this! ๐
grace says
is it weird if my favorite aspect of this is the polenta? i like both garlic and chicken, don't get me wrong, but i LOVE me some polenta! ๐
Adina says
Not weird at all, my son only ate a little bit of chicken after getting his tummy full with polenta and sauce.
Adina says
Sounds really relaxing just the two of you, I suppose relaxation is the only thing I missed this Christmas. ๐ Happy New Year to you too.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
We didn't spend the X'mas with the family this year...just two of us with our cats :-))...so it's a really simple and relaxing holiday. Your garlic chicken with polenta looks super duper delicious and comforting, Alida.
Happy New Year to you and your whole family!
Angie