Greek Chicken Giouvetsi

Giouvetsi (translated as 'little barley') or youvetsi is a Greek dish made with veal / beef, lamb or chicken and pasta, either kritharaki or hilopites. This flavour-packed one-pan chicken dish in a rich tomato-based sauce is the ultimate Greek comfort food! Traditionally giouvetsi is served with a hard white goat cheese called kefalotiri. Use Parmesan or Feta instead if you like. To make this stew with lamb or beef, you might need to spice it up a bit with cinnamon, paprika, chilli, and more allspice. Replace some of the stock with red wine for a richer flavour.

4 Bone in skin on chicken legs
2 tbsp Chicken schmaltz
1 Large onion, thinly sliced
2 Garlic cloves, chopped
300 g Kritharaki
©angiesrecipes
2 Bay leaves
A few sprigs of fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
1/4 tsp Allspice (or to taste)
700 ml Hot chicken stock
250 g Passata
Sea salt and freshly milled black pepper
Kefalotyri (or Parmesan), to serve

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Heat the chicken schmaltz in a large skillet. Brown the chicken legs for about 6-8 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken onto a plate and set aside.
Add the onion to the skillet and stir for a few minutes until they are softened. Add in chopped garlic and sautee for a couple of minutes. Then add the Kritharaki or orzo, bay leaves, oregano, allspice and stir for a few minutes to toast the pasta.
Add the hot chicken stock and passata and bring to a boil while stirring. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer to an oven-proof baking dish and top with chicken legs. Bake in the middle of hot oven for 45-50 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the top is golden brown.
Serve hot with grated kefalotyri or Parmesan and extra oregano or parsley if desired.

25 comments:

DEZMOND 29/12/24 13:09: We have dyuvetch here as well but for us it is rice with tomato, red pepper and onions and paprika.
Tom 29/12/24 13:23: ...dyuvetch is new to me. Thanks Angie for the introduction.
David M. Gascoigne, 29/12/24 13:32: Looks so good I can almost taste it.
My name is Erika. 29/12/24 14:48: This is another delicious looking dish. Perfect food for a cold winter dinner.
Anonymous 29/12/24 15:10: Yummy -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ellie 29/12/24 15:43: Oh, so great! Looks like a great cozy winter dinner!
Caitlin'nMegan 29/12/24 15:44: Beautiful dinner! & if there are any leftovers (doubtful) They would be just as great!
eileeninmd 29/12/24 15:50: Another delicious recipe, thanks Angie!
Take care and enjoy these last few days of 2024.
I wish you all the best in 2025, Happy New Year!
thepaintedapron.com 29/12/24 15:52: Perfect pasta dinner Angie!
Jenna
Anonymous 29/12/24 15:52: Yum.
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Królowa Karo 29/12/24 20:03: Looks like something delicious :)
roentare 29/12/24 21:30: This must be very special tasting
David 29/12/24 21:31: Hi Angie, That is a great looking meal! Chicken would be my choice too... I have never understood cinnamon in savory dishes. Must be an acquired taste. Have a Happy and Healthy 2025! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Cooking Julia 29/12/24 22:00: I didn't know this Greek dish but I guess it must be good.
Citu 29/12/24 23:44: Se ve muy rico. Tomó nota. Te mando un beso.
Brian's Home Blog 29/12/24 23:58: All those ingredients sure sound great with that chicken!
Balvinder 30/12/24 01:41: This dish would be lovely on a rainy night. I am going to try this with rice.
sherry 30/12/24 03:25: i love bone-in chicken but hubby hates it so i use boneless thighs most often. This sounds tasty! Happy new year Angie! x
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida 30/12/24 05:11: This is new to me, but it looks delicious and quite doable. Thanks for the education.
Anonymous 30/12/24 05:34: Another interesting chicken dish. Thank you for sharing.
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Margaret D 30/12/24 06:11: That does look good.
Happy New Year and,
May your heart be light, your days be bright, and your year be just right
David M. Gascoigne, 30/12/24 12:46: You do have a way of introducing me to terms and ingredients I did not know before. This dish looks terrific.
Bill 30/12/24 20:19: Looks like a very good and tasty meal.
Anonymous 31/12/24 05:26: What a flavorful and comforting dish, Angie! I look forward to trying this when it cools off! David (C&L)
Carol @Comfort Spring Station 31/12/24 07:42: There's lots of tempting flavors in the dish. Yum! Happy New Year!