This is one of the most traditional Romanian chicken stews: chicken and peas stew. A very popular dish with children, just like the grandma used to make.
The chicken and peas stew or mazare cu pui used to be my favorite dish for a while during my childhood. It still is one of my favorite traditional Romanian stews. And now it is my daughter's favorite stew as well.
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Sweet peas and tender chicken pieces in a light tomato sauce with lots of dill. What is not to like? Really, this is a super popular dish with kids, I haven't met one who didn't like it yet.
I remember my grandmother podding peas when I was a child. For some reason, she always used to do that in the living room, sitting in her red armchair, and not in the kitchen. I assume she preferred to sit for such a long time in a more comfortable armchair instead of the kitchen chair. I never asked and now it is too late for that.
I also remember my grandma sometimes saying that she couldn't cook this dish because she couldn't afford to buy chicken. And I always said that it didn't matter; I liked the pea stew with or without the chicken.
Ingredients
The peas:
- The pea-podding times are long gone now. Not because I wouldn't like to do it sometimes, it is because I haven't seen any peas in their pods since I left Romania. In Germany, they only seem to come frozen or in cans.
- But luckily I love frozen peas. I always have a bag in the freezer and I use them a lot, not only to make this stew but also for all kinds of soups, stews, stir-fries or side dishes, you name it, when I don't know what else to throw into a pot, I always end up with adding a handful of peas.
The chicken:
- Breast: You can use chicken breast. This is very convenient, as most of us have some chicken breast in the freezer at all times. Chicken breast can be quickly defrosted and used to make this stew. Just cut it into pieces (not too small) and add them to the stew. They will be cooked in about 5 minutes.
- Chicken drumsticks: The chicken drumsticks are cooked separately, you can fry them in a pan or bake them in the oven. Serve separately with the stew.
- Leftover chicken: I use it very often. Either leftover from making chicken stock for Romanian chicken soup, rotisserie chicken, or leftover whole roasted chicken with oranges. Leftover turkey can be used as well.
The stock: I use homemade stock, especially when I also have meat from making soup. Otherwise, a good brand of stock is perfectly fine.
The dill: So important!!! Don't leave it out and don't replace it, it is a crucial ingredient in this stew, no other herb will taste the same. Use either fresh or frozen dill, never dried dill.
How to make Romanian chicken stew?
- Cook the onion until translucent.
- Add the tomato paste and stir well for one minute.
- Add the peas (no need to defrost them) and stir well.
- Add enough stock to barely cover the peas, about 600 to 750 ml/ 20 to 25 fl.oz/ 2.5 to 3 ¼ cups. It really depends on your pot.
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes.
- Add the raw chicken breast pieces and continue cooking for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add the dill and adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
- If using leftover chicken, add and reheat well.
- If using roasted or pan-fried drumsticks, serve separately with the pea stew.
- Using cornstarch to thicken the sauce is completely optional; it depends on how you like the sauce.
- You can leave it as it is and maybe cook it down slightly if you think it is too much.
- Or you can stir in the cornstarch for a thicker, more velvety sauce. Don't use too much though, the sauce should not be too thick. You still want it on top of the mashed potatoes.
Make-ahead or reheat
- You can definitely make the Romanian chicken stew ahead and reheat it again.
- It keeps well in the fridge for about 3 days.
Serve
- The chicken stew with peas is traditionally served with mashed potatoes or white bread.
- Mashed potatoes are the better option.
More Romanian chicken recipes
- Chicken in Cream Sauce - Tender meat in cream, a typical Romanian recipe.
- Romanian Easter Drob - The Romanian Easter drob is a traditional appetizer for the Easter brunch, and this version is a very popular twist on the well-known lamb drob.
- Paprikash with Dumplings - Transylvanian stew with flour dumplings.
- Polenta Chicken - A simple recipe full of comfort and flavor.
- Roasted Chicken and Vegetables - Just like my grandma used to make.
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Romanian Pea and Chicken Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1 onion
- 1 very heaped tablespoon tomato paste
- 2.2 lbs frozen peas
- 2½ to 3 ¼ cups chicken stock (650 to 700 ml) to barely cover the peas in the pot
- 1 lb chicken breast Note
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch optional for a thicker sauce
- a bunch of fresh dill or 2-3 tablespoons chopped frozen dill
- fine sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute: Heat the oil in a pot. Chop the onion finely and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring. Add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Add the frozen peas, cover barely with chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes.1 tablespoon sunflower oil + 1 onion + 1 very heaped tablespoon tomato paste + 2.2 lbs frozen peas/ 1 kg + 2½ to 3 ¼ cups chicken stock/ 650 - 700 ml
- Cook chicken: In the meantime, chop the chicken breasts into cubes. Add them to the pan and cook everything for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Don't overcook the chicken.1 lb chicken breast/ 450 g
- Thicken sauce (optional): If you want to thicken the sauce (optional), mix the cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of cold water to obtain a paste. Make a little space in the middle of the pan by pushing the peas away as much as possible, and pour the cornstarch paste in a thin stream while whisking all the time with a small whisk. Stir everything very well and let bubble for 1 minute.2 teaspoons cornstarch + 1-2 tablespoon cold water
- Adjust the taste with salt and pepper. Add the finely chopped dill. Serve with mashed potatoes.fine sea salt and black pepper + a bunch of fresh dill or 2-3 tablespoons chopped frozen dill
Notes
- Chicken: Leftover chicken (or turkey) can be used instead. Alternatively, you can pan-fry or roast chicken drumsticks and serve them with the pea stew.
N says
Can this be made with chickpeas instead of peas?
Adina says
Technically, it should work, but it would be a completely different dish.
Adina says
Hi. Dill is the best in this dish, but you can use parsley instead. A different flavor, but still good.
lui says
What can I use instead of dill??Thank you!!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends says
This stew looks so warm and comforting! I have the same trouble finding peas in their pod here in the US, though I know some places do carry them. I am a huge fan of frozen peas, though -- I know they aren't quite as good as fresh, but they are still so good, and I use them all the time. When I was a kid my mom grew peas in the garden, and I remember sitting in the living room podding them in front of the tv to pass the time. Funny your grandmother sat in the living room to pod, too!
Adina says
So there are three of us now remembering their mothers/grandmothers plodding peas in the living room ?. If i'd ever had to pod peas now, I'd never consider doing it anywhere else.
Adina says
Maybe the living room IS the only place for podding peas, we just don't know, because we never have to do it. 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I can also visualize my grandmother podding peas in living room. This pea chicken stew looks so comfy and so DE-LICIOUS. Loving this, Adina!
Adina says
Soon, soon. Have some breakfast in the meantime. 🙂
Roland says
Heho sweetheart, my mouth is watering. When will you make this great dish again? With mashed potatoes, please.