Kotopoulo Riganato: Oregano Chicken

By Nancy Gaifyllia

greekfood.about.com

Oregano Chicken - Kotopoulo Riganato

Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.

In Greek: κοτόπουλο ριγανάτο, say: koh-TOH-poo-loh ree-ghah-NAH-toh

This is my favorite recipe for oregano chicken. It involves three steps: brining, browning, and boiling, and is worth every minute of prep time. The resulting chicken - stewed with onion, lemon juice, olive oil, and plenty of oregano, is delicious and falling-off-the-bone tender.

Prep Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds (1.8kg) of chicken (skin on), cut in pieces
• a handful of sea salt
• 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 heaping tablespoon of crushed dried oregano
• 5 ounces (150 ml) of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt (optional)

Preparation:

This recipe consists of three steps: brining, browning, and boiling.

Brine the Chicken

Dissolve a handful of sea salt in a large bowl or pot of cold water and submerge chicken pieces. (Make sure water covers the chicken.) Let soak for 4 hours.

Drain chicken and remove skin and heavy deposits of yellow fat.

Brown the Chicken

Heat 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken lightly on all sides.

Boil

Transfer browned chicken to a soup pot or dutch oven. Add quartered onion, 3/4 cup of olive oil, 1 heaping tablespoon of crushed dried oregano, 5 ounces (150ml) of lemon juice, and enough water to cover. If desired, add 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-high and continue to cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, until about 1/2 inch of liquid remains in the bottom of the pot.

Toward the end of cooking, run a spatula or spoon under the chicken pieces to keep from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Yield: serves 4-5

Serving suggestions: Serve with your starch of choice (rice, potatoes, pasta), and spoon the liquid from the pot over the top. A good crusty bread to sop up the juices... fabulous!