A hearty stew, with a medley of fragrant spices that is surely going to warm your soul and stomach!
The winter has surely set in; we already had our first snow in Texas,ย pretty flurries which turned everything around to a wonderland even though for just a while. The flurries left with the sun shining and some bad chills in the air. All I want to do is curl up and read and hold a warm bowl of soup or stew in the palm of my hands.
This a perfect stew for times like this; I have thrown in whatever vegetables I could salvage from my refrigerator along with the chicken. What makes this stew so heartwarming are the aromatic spices – fennel, clove, cinnamon and finally some rosemary, thyme, peppercorn and crushed pepper. If you want a vegetarian version, use some beans instead ofย the chicken, or just the vegetables.
On the other note:
‘Am on a short break/vacation till next year! Here’s wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Very Happy New Year! . Have a fun and warm holiday with friends and family. Hugs!
Chicken Stew
Ingredients:
- 6 Chicken Drum Sticks (Skinless)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper,Chopped
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
- 3 Small Potatoes, Quartered
- 2 Carrots, Sliced
- 2 Squashes/Zucchini, Chopped
- 5 Cloves of Garlic, Peeled & Halved
- 1/2 Onion, Sliced
- 2 Large Tomatoes, Grated
- 3/4 Cup Olives
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Peppercorns
- 1 Teaspoon Fennel
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Finger long Stick Cinnamon
- 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt
- Crushed Red Pepper & Parsley for Garnish
Note: I have used chicken drumsticks here, but any kind/any part of meat can be used.
Any vegetables you like can be added here. Same goes with the herbs & spices; go ahead & use your favorite.
Preparation:
Crush/Grind the fennel & the peppercorns together & set aside.
Heat oil in a stock pot/saucepan. Add the chicken pieces in the oil & fry while tossing till you see brown spots on them. Add the potatoes & fry will they turn slightly brown on the edges. In the same pan add the cinnamon, cloves, onions & garlic & toss everything together till the onions are translucent.
Add all the chopped/sliced vegetables (except for the tomatoes), turmeric, salt, herbs (Rosemary & Thyme) & the ground fennel & peppercorn. Cook everything by tossing frequently till all the oil & the spices coat the the vegetables & the chicken.
Add the grated tomatoes, & about 3 cups of warm water (or vegetable/chicken stock); stir everything till well combined. Cover & cook till the chicken & vegetables are tender.
Once done uncover & stir in the parsley & crushed red peppers.
Ladle the stew into serving bowls and serve with some crusty bread.
My kids love to pick up and eat the vegetables from the stew; well this is what happened to the olives. My little one is pretty unpredictable. She loves her olives, but decided to do adorn her fingers with them before she ate them.
Related Posts:
Roasted Vegetable Stew with Coconut Milk

That stew looks comforting and really flavorful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Heart warming stew. Happy Holidays! Soma.
Dearest Soma, wonderful holiday greetings to you and your loved ones.
I’m in summer officially since yesterday but this hearty-spicy chicken recipe is for all the year ๐
Enjoy your deserved holidays!!
Wonderful New Year 2010 for you Soma and for your Family ๐
Wishing you the best,
Gera
looks very delicious and colorful!! warm and hearty for the season
Usually I don’t comment for a non veg post, but seeing that kiddo put the olives on, I couldn’t resist from commenting..We used to do that with chegodis:-) She is darn cute:)
my mom’s version has coconut milk! we serve with appams. well, as long as its chicken, i don’t mind either version ๐
wonderful chicken stew recipe and great clicks! This stew is just perfect to beat the winter blues. This is my first time stumbling across your blog; its a wonderful space and i’ll be sure to visit this often.
Haha cute pic of ur little one- gosh u make me hungry !
Beautiful stew! So nice and warming for the season.
Perfect stew for these wintery days.My kind of food
Perfect stew…..can have that any time of the year….Happy holidays…..greetings for the season to you & your family…
sooo flavorful!!! yummmmm
Soma, this stew looks so delicious! I love the combination of drumsticks, vegetables and all the spices. That’s such an adorable picture of your daughter with olive finger nails. Cute. Happy Holidays!
very comforting and delicious dish!love the pics.
Happy Holidays Dear Soma, lovely heartwarming stew
Looks comforting and delicious! I love stews…..Happy holidays, Soma!
So colorful and wonderful aromatic flavors with all the spices! Happy holidays to you!
yummy nd perfect for this weather,..
The chicken stew looks so hearty! Perfect for winter!
hahahhaa love the last pic!
Happy Holidays, dear Soma!
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