- 1 whole chicken cut-up, about 4-4/12 pounds (it’s better to use bone-in chicken for maximum flavor)
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 – 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 medium onion or 3 shallots, chopped
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 bell pepper, in bite-size pieces
- 2 – 3 potatoes, quartered, optional
- Olive oil
- salt (optional)
- Sear the chicken pieces on both sides in a little olive oil and set aside. You don’t want to cook them; browning the outside helps keep the meat from falling apart while simmering. You can also lightly salt the chicken at this point.
- In the same pan, sauté the shallots for a minute or two.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, vinegar and soy sauce (add two tablespoons to start) and deglaze the pan for any brown bits that may have gotten stuck. Cook for a minute or two to concentrate the tomato flavor.
- Add the chicken back to the pan.
- Add the bay leaves, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally.
- You want to simmer this, covered, on low heat for at least 45 minutes to an hour. Keeping the lid on will allow the steam to drip back into the pan and be a part of the sauce. This is also necessary to dilute the soy sauce. If you taste this about 15 minutes into the simmer time, the soy sauce flavor may seem dominant but time (and the additional liquid from the steam) will mellow it out and the tomato flavor will intensify.
- If you decide to use potatoes, add them during the last 20 – 25 minutes of cooking. The bell peppers about five minutes before you turn off the stove.
- Serve with rice, a crusty loaf or just the potatoes.
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says
Isn’t it great that we can pop back to our childhood through food memories. This looks super tasty and satisfying. Thank you for sharing!
Vanessa says
I´m from Brasil and we do this dish a long time ago. Its very tasty!
Monet says
I loved hearing about this dish from your childhood, it is amazing how much we are drawn to the meals we had as children. This entree is full of unique flavors and spices…I’m sure it is delicious!
Isabelle says
This sounds very similar to a Portuguese chicken stew my grandmother used to make (only hers has no soy sauce, obviously, and has a whole lotta paprika instead). Very comforting stuff, indeed.
lemonsandanchovies says
Isabelle, the version with paprika sounds great!
Patty Price says
You’re making me hungry, chicken for breakfast, why not? I’m going to try your wonderful recipe in my slow cooker because it would be the next best thing to having mom in the kitchen making this for me. Your photographs are beautiful 🙂
lemonsandanchovies says
Patty, I’ve had this for breakfast actually. 🙂
If you make this in your slow cooker just keep in mind that the sauce might not be as thick since more liquid will accumulate. You can add tomato paste to compensate.
Thanks!
brhau says
What a fantastic idea to also make this with turkey. Yum!
lemonsandanchovies says
The turkey version is actually really good. Thanks!
Simran Stacie says
Love recipes/food that takes you back to your childhood.
CC Recipe says
What a delicious hearty stew, YUM, Thanks for sharing!
Just Food Snobs says
This recipe is great! I think I will be making this for my family this week!
azelias kitchen says
How funny reading the title of your chicken dish as in my native country, Portugal, Chicken Assado means chicken baked or roasted, interesting what influences from other countries create.
Your lovely homey dish reminds me something my Gran would make but we would call it Chicken Estufado.
lemonsandanchovies says
It’s true–asado has a completely different meaning. It probably all stemmed from the early language barrier and history was made. 🙂
And actually, we also have an estufado dish! I’m sure it also goes back to Spanish/Portuguese influence.
Julia says
Great my daughter and i will have to try this one for the boys.
citronetvanille says
Childhood memories are always so special, and a dish like one is really a great way to celebrate those memories. What a lovely dish!
Chef Dennis says
I pretty much love any chicken dish that includes potatoes….yours looks and sounds delicious…I’m glad you posted this very happy memory from your childhood!
Sommer @ A Spicy Perspective says
I love dishes like this that brings back wonderful memories. It’s gorgeous!
Bebe Mama (Judy) says
I love childhood comfort food! It’s the best! Growing up, my Japanese mother added soy sauce to many of our non-Asian dishes, and I can almost taste the depth of flavor even a touch of soy sauce brought to your stew. It looks delicious. 🙂
Cherine says
What a delicious flavorful stew! Love it!
Sharlene (Wheels and Lollipops) says
Those are often the best dishes ! Thanks for sharing it with us
Nicole @ The Dirty Oven says
Thank you so much for sharing. You blog is wonderful. I love your photos… remembering childhood dishes are such great memories. I am going to have to try this soon.
Cookie C. Choo Choo says
Wow! This looks really simple and delicious!! Can I ask if we can use ketchup to replace the canned tomato sauce?
lemonsandanchovies says
You know, I wouldn’t suggest using ketchup for this. I think you’ll end up with an entirely different dish. Why not use tomato paste instead?
Magic of Spice says
Loved the background info:) This looks amazing!
Liren says
I also loved this dish growing up, and it’s one of the standby’s I like to make when I’m in a rut!
The Housewife says
Such a lovely post… it was so nice to read about the origin and how your mom made this for you! 🙂 Looks very comforting and hearty!
trissalicious says
There are certain dishes that I look at and then I miss home – this is one of them. Thank you for taking MEe back to my childhood with this delicious dish.
Francine says
Thank you for this fine recipe.
Added 2 packets badia seasoning and some garlic.
This is a keeper, and best of all gluten free.
For my (grown) sons, I took the chicken off the bone — an extra step.
lemonsandanchovies says
Francine, thanks so much for trying this. I’m so glad you liked it.