Cabbage And Chicken
A hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken legs baked with a savory cabbage and apple mixture, seasoned with caraway and seasoned salt. The comforting combination of tomatoes, apples, and cabbage creates a unique, slightly sweet and tangy profile perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon celery seed ⓘ
- 3 pounds chicken legs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz.) can Italian peeled tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 apples ⓘ
- 2 teaspoon caraway seed ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 4 cups shredded cabbage ⓘ
Instructions
- In a paper or plastic bag, mix flour, seasoned salt, and celery seed.
- Coat the chicken legs a few pieces at a time with the flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan and add chicken legs. Cook, turning until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the browned chicken to a large baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In the same pan, cook chopped onion until tender.
- Add Italian peeled tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped apples, caraway seed, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Add shredded cabbage and mix well.
- Spoon the cabbage mixture over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour until the chicken is tender.
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese over the chicken, and return to oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crispier chicken, consider using a combination of panko breadcrumbs and flour in the coating. If you don't have celery seed, fennel seed can be a good substitute. You can also swap out the chicken legs for thighs or breasts if preferred. Adding a splash of white wine to the tomato mixture can enhance the flavor, similar to some of the more complex American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of buttery mashed potatoes or a fresh garden salad. For a more complete meal, consider serving it alongside Zucchini-Squash Casserole. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added flavor and color before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil to prevent drying out, then heat at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, but be cautious not to overcook the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cabbage And Chicken contains roughly 1440 calories, with 94g protein, 89g carbohydrates, and 79g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (187% of the Daily Value), calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (98% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
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 other vegetables in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute cabbage with kale or even spinach for a different flavor profile. Carrots, bell peppers, or green beans can also be added for extra nutrition and color.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into the tomato mixture. Adjust the amount to your heat preference for an exciting twist on the classic flavors.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep! Prepare it in advance, store in individual portions, and it will keep well in the fridge. You can easily reheat it for a quick and satisfying meal throughout the week.
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).