Brazilian Galinhada Recipe

Galinhada is a Brazilian chicken and rice dish, served with a mixture of vegetables. The vegetables typically include garlic, peppers, tomatoes and onions.

Simple spices are used, usually just turmeric and pepper. The chicken is first browned before being stewed in a sauce together with raw rice in a one pot method. It is served as a main meal.

Galinhada comes from the Portuguese word galinha, which means ‘chicken’ and is used in several ways. It can mean just chicken, the animal or used to refer to a specific chicken breed. It can also describe the age of the chicken. Galinha is a chicken in the adult stage. For some it means a live chicken while a chicken used for food is called frango.

Frango also refers to the age of the bird. This is a young bird favorable for cooking this dish because it is said to be moist and meaty. Galinhada sometimes refers only to the stewed chicken portion of the dish without the rice.

Galinhada is a simple dish with few ingredients. The inclusion of ingredients such as green peas and bell peppers are newer additions. Some recipes are made with saffron, most likely due to its similar characteristics to turmeric such as the ability to give Galinhada its yellow color, however traditional Galinhada uses turmeric, known in Brazil as açafrão-da-terra.

Origin and Cultural Significance

Galinhada is believed to have originated in the Minas Gerias and Goiana regions which border each other. Each region has its own variation named after it. Galinhada mineira is made with small pieces of chicken, while Galinhada goiana is made with larger pieces like whole thighs. It also contains fruit native to Brazil such as pequi.

The dish is popular at restaurants but is also specially prepared for festive occasions.

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Brazilian Galinhada Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Galinhada is a Brazilian chicken and rice dish flavored with a mixture of vegetables. The vegetables typically include garlic, peppers, tomatoes and onions.

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Ingredients

• Chicken (whole, large) - 1
• Rice - 5 cups
• Water - 1.5 liters
• Onions (chopped) - 2
• Garlic (minced) - 5 cloves
• Parsley - 5 sprigs
• Oil - for frying
• Black pepper - to taste
• Salt - to taste
• Chives or green onions (chopped) - to taste

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into smaller sections.
2. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
3. In a pan place the oil then fry the garlic and onion until lightly brown.
4. Add the chicken and fry until lightly browned, throwing in a sprinkle of water from time to time so it doesn't stick.
5. Add the rice and stir.
6. Cook until the rice thickens and takes the color of the chicken.
7. Add the water. It should sit at least an inch above the rice.
8. Add the parsley and let it cook, covered for about 30 minutes.
9. When the chicken is tender, add the chopped chives. The rice should still be slightly wet.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 126mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.

Photo Credit: iurikothe