The Perfect Chicken Basque Recipe for Soulful Dinner Magic

Nestled in the heart of southwestern france, this chicken basque recipe carries whispers of rustic culinary traditions.

Mediterranean flavors dance through every bite with vibrant peppers and rich tomato sauce.

Hearty ingredients tell stories of generations who perfected this classic dish.

Regions around bayonne have long celebrated these robust combinations of protein and vegetables.

Home cooks appreciate how simple techniques create such extraordinary meals.

Regional spices and techniques blend seamlessly in this uncomplicated yet deeply satisfying preparation.

Jump into this culinary adventure and let your kitchen become a gateway to french countryside cooking.

Easy Changes for Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• Mediterranean Seafood Variation: Replace chicken with a mix of shrimp, mussels, and white fish for a coastal-inspired one-pot meal.
• Vegetarian Delight: Swap chicken and chorizo with firm tofu, chickpeas, and smoked paprika for a plant-based version that keeps the rich flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Substitute chorizo with spicy Mexican sausage, add black beans, and use jalapeños instead of bell peppers for a zesty regional adaptation.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa, keeping all other ingredients the same to create a lighter, protein-packed alternative.

What to Serve with Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• Pairing Poultry with Passion: Perfect Companions for Chicken Basque
• Elevate Wine Selection: Robust Spanish Rioja matches the dish's bold Mediterranean flavors, complementing the chorizo and chicken with its medium-bodied red wine profile.
• Create Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a zesty arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the chicken and provide a fresh counterpoint to the hearty rice.
• Serve Rustic Bread: Offer crusty sourdough or country bread to soak up the delicious pan juices, allowing diners to capture every bit of the flavorful sauce.
• Match Dessert Delight: Finish with a light almond tart or orange-infused crème brûlée that echoes the citrus notes from the orange wedges in the original recipe.

Best Storage for Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• Store leftover Chicken Basque in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chicken and rice to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. Check internal temperature reaches 74°C.
• Add small splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Warm in covered skillet over medium-low heat. Stir gently every minute until heated thoroughly. Avoid overcooking to maintain tender chicken texture.

FAQs About Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• What makes this chicken Basque recipe unique?

This dish combines Spanish and French culinary influences, featuring bold flavors from chorizo, wine, and aromatic spices that create a rich, hearty one-pot meal.

• Is this recipe difficult to prepare?

Not at all! The recipe is straightforward with simple steps of browning chicken, sautéing vegetables, and letting everything simmer together, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.

• Can I substitute any ingredients?

Yes, you can swap chicken for turkey or swap chorizo with another spicy sausage. Fresh herbs like rosemary can replace thyme if needed, and you can use different colored bell peppers.

Why Delia Smith Chicken Basque Is a Must-Try

• Savor One-Pot Magic: Skip multiple dishes and cleanup with this simple chicken recipe that combines everything in a single pan, making cooking and washing up a breeze.
• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: Packed with vibrant ingredients like chorizo, peppers, olives, and orange wedges, this dish transports your taste buds to sunny Spanish coastal regions with each delicious bite.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adaptable recipe allows home cooks to swap ingredients based on preferences or pantry availability, making it perfect for spontaneous meal preparation and personal culinary creativity.
• Impress Without Stress: Looks gourmet and sophisticated but requires minimal cooking skills, enabling both beginners and experienced chefs to create a restaurant-quality meal that looks stunning and tastes incredible.

Ingredients Needed for Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• Chicken: A lean and versatile meat that forms the main protein of this classic Basque dish.
• Chorizo: A spicy Spanish sausage that adds rich, smoky flavor to the recipe.

• Onions, Peppers: Provide a sweet and slightly tangy base for the dish.
• Garlic: Offers a pungent and aromatic depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Tomatoes: Create a rich, slightly acidic sauce that complements the chicken.

• Thyme: A fragrant herb that brings an earthy and slightly minty note.
• Paprika: Adds a warm, slightly sweet and smoky flavor to the dish.
• Wine: Provides acidity and helps to deglaze the pan, enhancing the overall taste.
• Stock: Creates a flavorful liquid base for cooking the rice and chicken.

• Rice: Serves as a hearty and filling base for the chicken and vegetables.
• Paste: Helps to thicken and intensify the sauce.
• Orange Wedges: Adds a bright, citrusy note to balance the rich flavors.
• Olives: Provides a salty and briny contrast to the other ingredients.
• Oil: Used for browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables.

Cooking Instructions for Delia Smith Chicken Basque

Step 1: Prepare and Season Chicken

Grab your chicken pieces and coat them thoroughly with a blend of salt, pepper, and any preferred herbs. Ensure each piece is evenly seasoned for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Create Golden Sear

Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces and cook until achieving a beautiful golden-brown exterior. Remove chicken and set aside on a clean plate.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Sliced bell peppers

Cook until vegetables become soft and slightly translucent.

Step 4: Build Flavor Base

• Chopped chorizo
• Minced garlic
• Diced tomatoes

Stir and cook until chorizo releases its oils and garlic becomes fragrant.

Step 5: Incorporate Grains and Spices

• Uncooked rice
• Tomato paste
• Paprika
• Fresh thyme leaves

Stir thoroughly to coat rice with spices and distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 6: Add Liquid and Develop Depth

Pour in white wine and chicken stock. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, ensuring balanced flavors.

Step 7: Arrange Chicken and Extras

• Fresh orange wedges
• Kalamata olives

Step 8: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the pan and either simmer on low heat or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F. Cook until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked, approximately 50-60 minutes.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Allow dish to rest for 10 minutes. Serve directly from the cooking vessel, creating a rustic and inviting presentation.

Tips for a Better Delia Smith Chicken Basque

• Boost Flavor Depth: Season chicken generously with salt and pepper before browning to create a rich, complex taste profile.
• Prevent Soggy Rice: Ensure rice is toasted slightly with spices before adding liquid to maintain a fluffy, separate grain texture.
• Maximize Caramelization: Brown chicken in hot oil until deep golden color develops, creating a flavorful fond for base of the dish.
• Control Liquid Ratio: Add wine and stock carefully, checking moisture levels to prevent dry or overly wet rice during cooking.
• Enhance Resting Time: Allow dish to rest 10 minutes after cooking, which helps flavors meld and chicken remain tender and juicy.

Chicken Basque Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 60-70 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savor Mediterranean magic with this irresistible Chicken Basque recipe that blends Spanish culinary tradition with robust flavors. Rich tomato sauce, tender chicken, and smoky peppers create a hearty dish promising warmth and comfort you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 1 (3 1/2 pounds or 1.6 kg) chicken, jointed into 8
• 150 g chorizo, sliced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 red peppers, sliced
• 1/2 onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 50 g black olives
• 50 g sun-dried tomatoes

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 225 ml (1 cup) brown basmati rice
• 275 ml (1 1/4 cups) chicken stock
• 170 ml (3/4 cup) dry white wine
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of seasonings, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet and sear chicken until a rich golden-brown crust develops, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. In the same pan, gently sauté onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Introduce diced chorizo, minced garlic, and chopped tomatoes, stirring to combine and release aromatic flavors.
5. Incorporate uncooked rice, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
6. Carefully pour white wine and chicken stock into the pan, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed for balanced flavor profile.
7. Arrange seared chicken pieces atop the rice mixture, then scatter fresh orange wedges and briny olives across the surface.
8. Cover the pan and simmer gently on low heat for 50-60 minutes, or alternatively bake in a preheated 180°C oven until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
9. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes, then serve directly from the cooking vessel, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Notes

• Elevate seasoning by using a blend of kosher salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper for deeper flavor complexity.
• Pat chicken completely dry before browning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture.
• Experiment with different rice varieties like bomba or calasparra for authentic Spanish texture and superior absorption.
• Adapt for dietary needs by substituting chorizo with plant-based sausage or extra vegetables for vegetarian options.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Basque

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 372 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg