Chicken Chalaza Recipe

Chicken Chalaza is a unique and comforting dish, especially popular in Filipino cuisine. Here’s a recipe you can try:

Chicken Chalaza Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken (cut into serving pieces)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 3-4 cups water
• 1 cup young coconut meat (optional)
• 1/2 cup coconut cream (kakang gata)
• 2-3 cups malunggay (moringa leaves) or spinach
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics:
   • Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until golden brown.
   • Add the chopped onion and sliced ginger. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   • Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they start to brown slightly.
   • Pour in the fish sauce and stir well, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
3. Simmer:
   • Add the black peppercorns, bay leaves, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil.
   • Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let it cook for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
4. Add Coconut Meat and Cream:
   • If using young coconut meat, add it to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes.
   • Stir in the coconut cream and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Add Malunggay or Spinach:
   • Add the malunggay or spinach to the pot and stir until the leaves wilt. Season with salt to taste.
6. Serve:
   • Remove the bay leaves before serving.
   • Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your delicious Chicken Chalaza!