Chicken Abruzzese combines tender chicken with crispy bacon, herbs and spices, melted cheeses… and a history lesson too! The Abruzzo region of Italy, to the east of Rome with a lovely Adriatic coastline and the Apennine Mountains, is rugged and mountainous with hilltop towns from the medieval and Renaissance periods tucked in and around national parks and nature reserves. From a culinary point-of-view, Abruzzo has a tradition of reliance on rich herbs and local cheeses and eclectic variety, incorporating coastal, mountain, and rural influences, but always using local ingredients; it can truly lay claim to being part of the cucina povera of the Italian Mezzogiorno region; Interestingly, some of the most sought-after saffron in the world comes from Abruzzo.
Vito’s maternal grandparents emigrated from Vasto, Abruzzo and brought their cooking traditions with them; Chicken Abruzzese is an homage to that cooking, employing simple but hearty ingredients and a rich mix of spices. Enjoy Chicken Abruzzese with a simple Wilted Arugula Salad, some fresh, crusty bread and a good, dry red wine.
Prep Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes. Serves 2.
Support Cook and Eat at Home. Purchase a PDF of the Chicken Abruzzese recipe for $1.00.
