July 1, 2025RECIPES
Žgvacet – Istrian chicken stew
PREPARATION TIME: 15 min prep + 1.5–2 hours cooking
DIFFICULTY: Medium
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or ~1.2 kg chicken thighs
- 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil with White Truffle or regular olive oil
- 150 ml dry white wine
- 200 ml tomato passata or peeled tomatoes (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (wine vinegar preferred)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
- Serve with: Fuži pasta or polenta
Preparation
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In a large pot or deep pan, heat the olive oil and sauté chopped onions until soft and golden.
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Add garlic and chicken pieces, and sear until lightly browned on all sides.
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Sprinkle in paprika, stir, then pour in white wine and vinegar. Let it reduce slightly.
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Add tomato passata, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well.
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Cover and simmer on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if needed.
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Once the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat.
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Serve hot over fuži pasta, polenta, or rustic Istrian bread. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Now you’ve made a hearty Istrian Chicken Žgvacet — a rustic stew full of flavor and tradition from the heart of Istria!
Recommended products
We recommend using these products for this recipe:
OLIVE OIL WITH WHITE TRUFFLE
Price range: 17,00 € through 26,00 €
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