Chicken Tava Recipe
Chicken Tava is a flavorful Turkish baked dish featuring tender boneless chicken breast pieces combined with vibrant vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and potatoes, all seasoned with a blend of cumin, thyme, paprika, and garlic. Slow-baked and broiled to crispy perfection, this hearty dish offers a delightful balance of spices and textures, making it a perfect main course served alongside fresh salads, fries, or pita bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 600 grams boneless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch squares
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic (from the 6 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Vegetables and Other Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes, cut into pieces
- 1 large potato, cut into 2-inch squares
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch sizes
- 1 large red onion, cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 cloves garlic, grated
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter (optional)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika (remaining)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Add the cut tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper, and red onion to a metal baking pan, arranging them evenly.
- Marinate the chicken: In a separate bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cumin, thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon grated garlic, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Mix well and set aside to infuse flavors.
- Combine ingredients in pan: To the baking pan with vegetables, add the tomato paste, the remaining grated garlic cloves, remaining paprika, and the marinated chicken. Gently mix to combine all components.
- Add olive oil and layer chicken: Pour the remaining extra virgin olive oil (about 5 tablespoons) over the pan contents. Mix lightly, then arrange the chicken pieces on top to prevent overcooking the vegetables.
- Season the dish: Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the ingredients. Adjust the amount of tomato paste or paprika if you prefer a deeper red color and richer flavor.
- Add butter (optional): Place a tablespoon-sized rectangular piece of salted butter in the center of the pan to enrich the dish.
- Cover with foil: Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent the chicken and vegetables from drying out during baking.
- Bake the dish: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the covered baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Broil for browning: Remove the foil and return the pan to the oven. Broil for an additional 5-10 minutes to brown the chicken and caramelize some of the vegetables on top.
- Serve and enjoy: Once cooked, serve the Chicken Tava hot alongside Turkish side dishes such as fresh salad, fries, and pita bread.
Notes
- Cut all vegetables and chicken into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- The butter is optional but adds a lovely richness and velvety finish to the sauce.
- Covering with foil during baking helps keep the chicken juicy and the vegetables tender.
- Broiling at the end crisps the top layer, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Chicken Tava can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: Chicken Tava, Turkish chicken recipe, baked chicken dish, spiced chicken and vegetables, Turkish cuisine, oven-baked chicken
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/chicken-tava-recipe/
