Chicken shakshuka is a blend of Indian and Middle Eastern culinary delights. Marrying the rich and great flavors of butter chicken with the vibrant, tomato-based delightful essence of shakshuka. In this extraordinary dish, eggs are simmered in a butter chicken spiced tomato sauce which will take it to the next level.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Shakshuka:
- ½ yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tablespoon mild harissa (preferred is Mina brand, FYI Trader Joe’s is SPICY so use 2t instead)
- 1 box Pomi chopped tomatoes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- drizzle of olive oil (2 teaspoons worth)
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
Garnish:
- warm crusty bread
- minced parsley
Equipments Needed
- Skillet with a lid
- Spatula
- Cutting Board and Knife
Instructions
Chicken:
- Heat oven to 190.5°C / 375°F. When oven is properly heated the further process of baking becomes easier if the first step if followed correctly.
- Mixing salt, cumin, garlic powder & paprika in a small bowl can result in preparing the best seasoning. Evenly coating the chicken skin with the spice rub is very essential because if one step is missed it would lead to the destruction of whole recipe.
- Now heat the oil in a large cast iron frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken, skin side down, until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside until ready to use for further process.
Shakshuka:
- Keeping the oil and pan drizzle in the cast iron pan, turn the heat to medium. Add the onion and then add bell pepper for some extra taste. Cook patiently until very soft, about 9-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until its fragrant, another 30 seconds. Mix in cumin, smoked paprika, paprika and harissa and cook for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the tomatoes, salt and sugar. Let it completely simmer for a few minutes before turning off the heat. light shower about 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the tomato sauce. Set out the chicken in the sauce and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 14-15 minutes
. - Now carefully remove the pan and place on a heated safe surface. Using the back of a spoon, make 4 deep borehole in the sauce, in between the chicken pieces. One at a time, safely crack each egg in a small bowl, and then pour one egg into each well in the pan. Repeat this process with all 4 eggs. Season the yolks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle feta cheese evenly on top and transfer to the oven. Bake until eggs whites are just set but the yolks are still runny, about 11 to 12 min. According to your desire cook the yolk, until if fully cooked.
Garnish:
- Now remove the chicken shakshuka from the oven, sprinkle with parsley and serve with hot, crusty bread.
Serving Of Chicken Shakshuka
The best way to serve a shakshuka is to make it the core essence of the meal, then create a multitude of small plates to serve along. They usually involve some simple vegetable salads, bread, and spreads. When these all things are coming together, you get a fully satisfying and healthy meal to serve to your friends or family. What a lavish dinner!
Tips for Making Best Chicken Shakshuka
- Break eggs one at a time into a measuring cup or small bowl before transferring each one into the borehole made in the sauce. This prevents egg shells from getting into the sauce and makes them easier to place.
- Omit the chili pepper if you desire a less spicy sauce. Pour the chili pepper according to your preference must me done otherwise it might get extra hot for you.
- When serving for your friends, family, or guests, it is important to note that for each individual serving, you should make shakshuka as directed up until just before adding the eggs. Immediately spoon the simmering sauce into warmed up mini cast iron frying pan
(While preparing the sauce on the stove, make sure to properly thicken the sause and place mini skillets into a preheated 121°C(250°F) oven). Make an indent and place an egg each individual frying pan. To proceed with the recipe its essential to cover with a lid or foil. - Adjust the amount of broth according to your desire. if you are serving in your friend and family and If a thicker sauce is desired, so reduce the total amount to ½ cup (125 ml); if a soupier sauce is the liking, add in an additional ¼ cup (60 ml) of broth.
- If you have been cooking for while you must know that all these kinds of recipes are served in skillets. Though you may also see shakshuka served in cast iron skillets, it is not recommended to cook acidic foods (eg. tomatoes) for long periods of time with cast iron because as you know that cooking for family is important but not risking the lives of friends and family is more essential. Skillets which are Enamel-coated or Dutch ovens can be used for this whole nutritious process.
- Its very essential to keep a strong eye on the health of people around you for whom you are cooking. So, If possible purchase canned tomatoes which got a positive point that they are low in sodium or low sodium vegetable or chicken broth.
Conclusion
In this delightful dish, we gently cook eggs in a chicken spiced tomato sauce to create a real tangy and indulgent base. Decorated with fresh herbs and served with warm, crusty bread for dipping. Butter chicken shakshuka is a culinary crossroads. So this is the place where the affluence of Indian cuisine meets the bold flavors of the Middle East. You must prepare this nutritious food so that your friends and family can enjoy this delightful dish.
Want To Try Some More Nutritious Dishes, Click Here.
