Chicken in sour cream sauce (Shkmeruli)
6 servings
90 minutes
Shkmeruli is a traditional dish of Georgian cuisine from the Racha region. It is an incredibly aromatic and rich dish where chicken is soaked in a tender garlic-sour cream sauce. The chicken is first fried until golden brown and then stewed in a thick sauce where butter and flour create a silky texture, while garlic adds spiciness. The flavor of the dish is rich and deeply umami with soft creamy notes that perfectly complement the spices. Shkmeruli is traditionally served with Georgian bread or boiled potatoes, allowing one to enjoy every drop of the delicious sauce. This dish is especially popular in cold weather, warming and delighting with its richness.
1
Cut the chicken into pieces.
- Chicken: 1 piece
2
Coat each piece with salt, pepper, and spices to taste. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Salt: to taste
- Ground black pepper: to taste
- Spices: to taste
3
Fry pieces of chicken in a pan.
- Chicken: 1 piece
4
For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour. Remember to stir to avoid lumps. Gradually add milk. Add garlic passed through a press. Cook the sauce until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream.
- Butter: 125 g
- Wheat flour: 2 tablespoons
- Milk: 700 ml
- Garlic: 1 head
5
Place the fried pieces of chicken in the sauce.
- Chicken: 1 piece
6
Cook in garlic-sour cream sauce for 15–20 minutes.
- Chicken: 1 piece