World Recipe: Tabaka Chicken

06 Sep World Recipe: Tabaka Chicken

Tabaka Chicken is a traditional dish from Georgia, a country known for its rich culinary heritage and unique combination of flavours. This recipe stands out because of its special cooking method, where the chicken is flattened and pressed while cooking to achieve a crispy golden skin and tender meat. Served with a spicy blackberry sauce, this dish brings together sweet, savoury, and aromatic flavours in a delicious way.

Ingredients

• 1 small chicken, about 3 pounds
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the blackberry sauce:

• 100 g green grapes
• 300 g blackberries
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt to taste

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. To prepare the chicken, place it breast-side down and use a sharp knife to cut along both sides of the backbone. Remove the backbone, turn the chicken over, and press firmly on the breast with the palm of your hand until it becomes flat.
• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a pan and brown the chicken on both sides for about 5 minutes per side until it develops a golden colour.
• Place the chicken on a baking tray, cover it with baking paper, and place a heavy object on top, such as a cast iron pan, to keep it pressed while cooking. Bake for about 35 minutes until fully cooked. If the chicken needs more colour, remove the cover and bake for another 5 minutes.
• While the chicken cooks, prepare the blackberry sauce. Blend the blackberries and green grapes, then strain the mixture into a saucepan. Add the pomegranate molasses and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, cayenne pepper, crushed coriander seeds, and chopped dill. Bring to a gentle boil, remove from heat, and season with salt.

Serve the Tabaka Chicken hot with the spicy blackberry sauce and enjoy a traditional Georgian recipe filled with bold flavours.