
Chicken tabaka (tapaKa)
Description
You'll spend minimal time preparing tabaka chicken, yet the result will be absolutely delicious. The essential requirement is having a cast-iron skillet, without which the dish won't turn out right. Surprise your family with authentic Georgian cuisine, then share the recipe and teach them how to make it.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1

1. Cut the chicken lengthwise along the breast in half. If the chicken was whole, remove the internal organs.
- 2
Step 2

2. Turn the chicken inside out, place it on a cutting board with the cut side down. Next, cover the chicken with plastic wrap or any plastic bag and pound it with a meat mallet. Your goal is to thoroughly crush all the bones and cartilage so that the chicken becomes almost flat.
- 3
Step 3

3. After that, rub the chicken with coarse salt, black and red pepper (to taste). To let the meat absorb the spices, leave it for about 2 hours, or even better — overnight.
- 4
Step 4

4. To prepare the sauce, add a tablespoon of sunflower or olive oil to a heated skillet, press in the garlic, and after a minute add paprika, red and black pepper, and basil.
- 5
Step 5

5. If you have homemade tomato juice, add it to the spices in the pan (200 ml); if not, you can substitute it with ketchup (100 grams will be enough). Simmer the sauce over low heat for 2 minutes.
- 6
Step 6

6. Take out our cast-iron frying pan, place it on the stove to heat up, and add 2 tablespoons of clarified butter. As a last resort, you can use regular butter.
- 7
Step 7

7. Place the chicken into the heated oil with the wings facing down. Cover with a lid and press the chicken firmly against the pan. If you don't have a special lid, press the bird down with a flat plate and place a weight on top (for example, a jar filled with water).
- 8
Step 8

8. Sear on each side until golden brown. This will take 8 to 14 minutes over medium heat, depending on the size of your chicken. When you flip it to the second side, brush it with half of the prepared tomato sauce.
- 9
Step 9

9. Pour the remaining sauce into a plate, add dill. The meat will be delicious with this tomato-garlic sauce!
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Step 10

10. Before serving, you can garnish the chicken with dill sprigs or other herbs. Enjoy!