Braised Potatoes with Chicken

These braised potatoes are a classic European dish that I grew up eating. It can be compared to a stew because it is hearty with the tender potatoes, carrots and onion, and chicken and has a very tasty gravy. It’s a simple, one pot meal that can feed a big crowd. I like to make a big batch and eat the leftovers for lunch for a few days afterwards, but you can definitely make half the recipe. I do have this recipe posted as one of my very first recipes on the blog but I recreated that same recipe with chicken thighs, as my husband and I do not like to eat much pork meat. You can really use whatever meat you prefer, however keep in mind that beef needs much more cook time to get tender for this recipe. I came up with this recipe myself in an attempt to replicate a classic childhood favorite dish. Enjoy! 🙂

Braised Potatoes with Chicken {Yields a big pot, Serves 10-14}

Ingredients:

• 5 LB Gold Potatoes
• 2.5 LB Chicken Thighs (Skinless/Boneless) or Beef (Chuck Roast/Stew Meat)
• 3 Carrots
• 1 Onion
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter (Unsalted)
• 1 Bunch Parsley
• 2 Tablespoons Dill
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 5 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce
• Salt/Pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Mrs.Dash (or 21 Seasonings)

Directions:

1) Do the prep work first. Wash and peel the potatoes, cut them into about 1 inch cubes and put ina a big bowl of water. Wash and peel the carrots and shredd them, set aside in container. Finely dice the onion. Wash the chicken thighs and cut into about 1 inch pieces.

2) On Medium-High heat ( I did 7) heat 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil in a big pot or Dutch oven. I used a big Dutch oven that my dad gifted me from his recent trip to Europe! Throw in the cut chicken thighs or beef, add salt/pepper and cook, stir every few minutes until meat is cooked through.

3) Add 2 Tablespoons butter to the pot with chicken. Fill a tea kettle with water and bring to a boil, It should be about 2 Litters water, or you can use another pot.

4) Add the carrots and onion to the pot. Add the paprika, garlic powder, and Mrs. Dash seasonings. Add some more salt and pepper to the pot. Mix very well.

5) When the carrots and onion become soft and cooked through, add the 4 Tablespoons ketchup. Mix very thoroughly.

6) Add the potatoes into the pan but keep them on top! Do not mix with the meat mixture! This is important because you want to keep your potatoes steam cooking on top afterwards, not mushy and all mashed up. Add the 2 Litter boiled hot water to the pot. Just enough water to cover the potatoes. Add more water if needed. Cover the pot with a lid.

7) When the water in the pot comes to a boil, lower the heat to a low setting. ( I did 3). Keep covered with lid and cook for 25 to 35 minutes. Until the potatoes have cooked through and are tender. Meanwhile wash and finely chop the dill and parsley.

8) In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the chopped parsley and minced garlic cloves into the pot. Then in the last few minutes of cooking, add the chopped dill. When potatoes have cooked through and are tender, turn the heat off. Gently mix the potatoes and meat mixture, and enjoy! *Refrigerate leftovers in the pot (once the pot has cooled down) and to eat, heat up necessary portions in a small pot on the stovetop.*