TRADITIONAL GREEK CHICKEN STEW WITH ONIONS (ARPEGIC) — SERVED WITH RICE

A classic Greek dish traditionally made with tender chicken and small onions (arpegic), though yellow onions work wonderfully too. This simple yet flavorful stew is perfect for comforting family meals.

🕒 Prep Time: 15 min

🍳 Cook Time: 1 hour
🍰 Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 10 chicken thighs)
Salt and pepper to taste
5 tbsp olive oil
7 garlic cloves, crushed
3–4 bay leaves
Fresh parsley, chopped
6 tbsp water
½ cup tomato paste (or 3 tsp tomato paste dissolved in water)
1 small onion (or cleaned whole arpegic/spring onions)
Butter (for sautéing onion)
Cooked rice, to serve

Instructions

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large pan, heat olive oil and sauté chicken with crushed garlic until golden brown.
Transfer chicken and garlic to an ovenproof dish. Add bay leaves, chopped parsley, and the tomato paste mixture (tomato paste diluted with water).
Finely chop the onion (or use whole arpegic/spring onions). Sauté in butter until softened, then pour over the chicken mixture.
If short on time, you can skip sautéing the onion and add it raw to the dish—it still turns out delicious.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 200°C (390°F) for about 1 hour.
Serve chicken pieces alongside plain cooked rice sprinkled lightly with salt. Pour the flavorful pan sauce over the rice.

💡 Tips

Using arpegic (small onions) gives a traditional flavor, but yellow onions are a great substitute.
Sautéing onions in butter adds richness but is optional if short on time.
The sauce is delicious and perfect for soaking into rice.
Adjust seasoning at the end if needed.

🍽️ Perfect For

Classic Greek family dinners
Comfort food on cooler days
Easy one-dish meals with rice

📝 Final Thoughts

This Greek chicken stew is simple, aromatic, and satisfying—highlighting tender chicken pieces simmered in a savory tomato and herb sauce, served with fluffy rice to soak up all the flavors.