Chiken Tabaka: Spatchcocked roast chicken
Teona M
4
20 minutes
65 minutes
832
Georgian cuisine
Main Cource
Looking for a delicious, easy-to-make poultry dish, look no further than chicken tabaka! This popular Georgian dish is made by frying chicken with a blend of herbs and spices in a large skillet or pan Typically Chicken tabaka is served with rice, potatoes, or vegetables. When it is properly prepared, the chicken should be crispy on the outside, while retaining its tenderness and moistness on the inside.

Ingredients
1 whole chicken
2 tsp adjika
2 tsp utskho suneli
Salt, to taste
Cooking oil
Lemon wedges, for garnish
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1 head of garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt, to taste
Directions
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Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to slice the chicken down the center of the breastbone. Open the chicken and lay it flat, skin-side up.
Cover the chicken with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to lightly pound the chicken to flatten it evenly.
Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and the dry spices (Adjika and Utskho Suneli).
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Heat a generous drizzle of oil in a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat.
Once the pan is hot, place the chicken skin-side up in the skillet. Use a clean, heavy object (like a second cast-iron skillet or a sheet pan topped with a large pot) to weigh down the chicken.
Cook the chicken for 25 minutes, maintaining a medium-low heat. After 25 minutes, flip the chicken so that it is skin-side down, and continue to cook for another 25-30 minutes.
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While the chicken is resting, prepare the garlic sauce. In the same skillet, add another drizzle of oil and heat over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until aromatic but not browned.
Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan, scraping off all the delicious bits from the bottom. Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce for another 3-4 minutes.
Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. Season with salt to taste.Spoon the garlic sauce over the rested chicken just before serving, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.