Easy Shkmeruli: Georgian Garlic Chicken
Shkmeruli is a classic Georgian dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. This comforting and flavorful meal is surprisingly simple to prepare, bringing the warmth of Georgian hospitality to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg whole chicken cut into 8 pieces or 8 chicken thighs
- 1 head garlic minced
- 250 ml full-fat milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
- 0.25 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish
- 0.25 cup fresh dill chopped (for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, skin-side down first, and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the same pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring it combines smoothly with any pan drippings and garlic. Continue whisking constantly to prevent the milk from breaking.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally. Once simmering, return the seared chicken pieces to the pan, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the pan and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh cilantro and dill, if using.
- Serve hot, traditionally with Georgian bread (puri) or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
For best results, use a whole chicken cut into pieces, as bone-in chicken adds more flavor to the sauce. Ensure the garlic is sautéed gently to avoid bitterness. Serve with fresh Georgian bread (puri) or rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Fresh cilantro and dill make an excellent garnish.