Shkmeruli: Georgian Creamy Garlic Chicken
Shkmeruli is a traditional Georgian chicken dish featuring tender pieces of pan-fried or roasted chicken simmered in a rich, creamy sauce generously infused with fresh garlic. It's a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1 head garlic about 8-10 cloves
- 2 tbsp butter for the sauce
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven 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, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. If using, add red pepper flakes.
- Gradually whisk in the milk or cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Return the seared chicken pieces to the pan, nestling them into the garlic cream sauce. Cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened slightly. Periodically baste the chicken with the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, if desired. Serve hot with bread to scoop up the delicious sauce.
Notes
For a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your preference. Serve Shkmeruli with fresh Georgian bread (shotis puri) or crusty baguette to soak up all the delicious sauce. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley before serving adds a lovely fresh note.