Chicken Ciulama with Polenta

Chicken Ciulama with Mamanliguță

Chicken Ciulama is a traditional dish that reminds us of family meals cooked with love and patience. This delicious recipe combines succulent chicken meat with a creamy sauce, perfect served with warm mămliguță. What's more, ciulama is versatile and can be easily adapted to suit personal preferences. Let's see together how to prepare this wonderful dish!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 600 g chicken breast
- 50 ml oil
- 50 g butter
- 100 g flour
- 50 g carrots
- 50 g celeriac root
- 50 g onion
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- Water (enough for boiling)

A bit of history
Chicken Ciulama is a dish that dates back generations and is an integral part of traditional gastronomy. This recipe has often been cooked in Romanian homes, playing an important role in family gatherings, bringing together the simple and sincere tastes of childhood. Mămăliguța, the classic accompaniment to ciulamei, is a versatile ingredient that enriches the culinary experience.

Steps to prepare the chicken ciulamei:

1. Preparing the ingredients
- Wash the chicken breast well under cold running water and cut into cubes of about 3-4 cm.
- Peel the carrots, celery and onion and chop into small pieces. Mince the garlic finely.

2. Boiling the meat
- Add the water and a teaspoon of salt to a deep pot. Bring the chicken cubes to the boil.
- Once the water starts to boil, skim the broth to remove impurities. This step is essential for a clean and delicious taste.
- Add the chopped vegetables (carrots, celery and onion) and continue to simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

3. Straining and storing the meat
- Once the meat is cooked, strain the broth through a fine sieve and set the chicken cubes aside, keeping them warm in another container.

4. Making the sauce
- Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until golden.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the flour in a little cold soup, stirring well to avoid lumps.
- Add the flour mixture to the pan, stirring constantly to make a smooth mixture. This trick is essential for a creamy and delicious waffle.

5. Finalizing the preparation
- Slowly add the hot broth gradually to the flour mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
- Add the cooked chicken cubes to the sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes to combine the flavors.

6. Serving
- Serve the chicken ciulama hot with freshly made mămliguță. The porridge can be made simply with water and cornmeal, according to your preference. A great idea is to divide the dumplings into portions and serve with a spoonful of the porridge on top.

Practical tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add spices such as paprika or aromatic herbs (e.g. thyme, parsley) to the sauce.
- If you prefer a healthier version, use skinless chicken breast and a lighter olive oil.
- For a richer ciulama, you can also add cream or milk to the final sauce for a creamier taste.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, turkey ciulama is just as delicious and will taste slightly different but very pleasant.

2. How can I adapt the recipe to be vegetarian?
Replace the chicken with mushrooms or tofu and use seasonal vegetables. The sauce can be prepared in the same way, and the mămliguette will complement the dish perfectly.

3. Which side dishes go best?
In addition to the dumpling, you can serve the ciulama with pickles or fresh salads to balance the rich taste.

Nutrition facts:
One serving of chicken ciulama with mămliguță contains approx:
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrate: 40 g

This recipe is not only delicious, but also has nutritional benefits as it's rich in protein and vitamins from vegetables, perfect for a comforting meal.

Personal note: I recommend experimenting with different vegetables in the ciulama, such as peppers or zucchini, to add extra flavor and color. As my mom always said: "The joy of cooking comes from experimentation!" So feel free to put your personal stamp on every dish. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 600g chicken breast - 50ml oil - 50g butter - 100g flour - 50g carrots - 50g celery root - 50g onion - 1 clove garlic - salt - pepper