Basque Chicken
A flavorful Basque-style chicken dish featuring tomatoes, pimientos, ham, and aromatic herbs, perfect for hearty family meals with rich Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Flour the chicken pieces.
- Lightly shake off excess flour from the chicken.
- Melt butter or heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Turn chicken in the skillet until pale golden, avoiding full browning.
- Transfer the chicken into a covered casserole dish.
- Add chopped tomatoes, pimientos, chopped ham, garlic, shallots, white wine, thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley to the dish.
- Cover and bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of smoked paprika or a pinch of saffron to the dish. If you don't have white wine, chicken broth can be a great substitute. Feel free to swap in other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for more texture. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Basque Chicken is best served alongside a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. It pairs beautifully with Basque Bean Salad for a complete meal. For an added touch, sprinkle fresh parsley or basil over the top before serving for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Basque Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to keep it moist, and cover until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave it, covered, at medium power.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basque Chicken contains roughly 515 calories, with 43g protein, 78g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (174% of the Daily Value), iron (89% of the Daily Value), and protein (86% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. It also contributes 14g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of a whole fryer chicken?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add extra moisture and richness to the dish. You can use skin-on or skinless thighs, depending on your preference. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
What can I serve with Basque Chicken?
This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up the sauce or a side of rice for a hearty meal. You can also serve it with roasted potatoes or a simple green salad to balance the flavors.
How do I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider including a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the vegetables. Alternatively, a few dashes of hot sauce can be stirred in just before serving to adjust the spice level to your liking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).