Portuguese Chicken Jardineira is a delicious one-pot meal made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. Everything is simmered in a flavorful tomato, onion, garlic, and olive oil broth, creating a hearty and satisfying dish with classic Portuguese flavors.
This traditional Portuguese-style chicken recipe is made with simple, everyday ingredients and is easy to prepare in one pot. As the chicken and vegetables slowly cook together, the potatoes absorb the flavorful broth while the carrots, peas, and green beans add color and texture.
If you’re looking for an easy Portuguese chicken recipe for a family dinner, this Chicken Jardineira is a delicious choice. It’s a substantial and comforting dish, packed with tender chicken and vegetables, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or a relaxed weekend dinner.
If you’re looking for simple and comforting traditional Portuguese recipes, try this flavorful Portuguese pork and clams (carne de porco à Alentejana), Portuguese bean stew with poached eggs (feijoada recipe), Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken (Portuguese grilled chicken), or Portuguese style baked fish, along with many other delicious recipes available on Food From Portugal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy one-pot meal: Everything cooks together in one pot, making preparation and cleanup simple.
Full of vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans make this a colorful and satisfying family meal.
Classic Portuguese flavors: Onion, garlic, tomato, olive oil, bay leaf, and nutmeg give the chicken a delicious homemade flavor.
Perfect for family dinners: This generous recipe serves 4 and makes a comforting meal for a weeknight or weekend dinner.
Simple ingredients: You don't need complicated or hard-to-find ingredients to make this Portuguese chicken recipe.
What Is Portuguese Chicken Jardineira?
Jardineira is a traditional Portuguese-style dish made with meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked in a flavorful tomato-based broth. Chicken Jardineira, or Jardineira de Frango, is a popular variation made with tender pieces of chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans.
This chicken version is a simple example of Portuguese home cooking, combining everyday ingredients with olive oil, onion, garlic, tomato, and aromatic seasonings.
Ingredients for Easy Chicken Stew with Vegetables (Portuguese Jardineira)
Here you'll find all the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Chicken - The main protein of the dish. Chicken pieces become tender and flavorful as they slowly cook with the vegetables and seasonings.
- Onion - Provides a flavorful base to the sauce as it cooks with the garlic, tomato, and olive oil.
- Garlic - Adds a delicious and flavorful aroma to the Jardineira.
- Olive oil - Provides a rich Mediterranean flavor and helps sauté the onion, garlic, tomato, and chicken.
- Tomato - Creates the flavorful base of the broth.
- Peas - Add color and a tender texture to the dish.
- Green beans - Add a fresh vegetable flavor and color to the Jardineira.
- Carrot - Add color and a tender texture when cooked with the other vegetables.
- Potatoes - Make the dish substantial and comforting while absorbing the flavorful broth as they cook.
- Pepper - Adds a slightly spicy touch and enhances the flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
- Nutmeg - Adds an aromatic flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables.
- Bay leaf - Infuses the broth with a delicate herbal aroma and adds depth to the overall flavor.
- Salt - Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken, vegetables, and seasonings.
Below you’ll find the correct measurement of all ingredients and the step-by-step guide for this one-pot chicken stew recipe.
How to make Portuguese Chicken Jardineira (Chicken with Potatoes and Vegetables)
Step 1: Add the olive oil, chopped garlic, chopped onion, peeled tomatoes cut into small pieces, and chicken to a pot. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and bay leaf.
Step 2: Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Peel, wash, and cut the potatoes into cubes. Add the potatoes, peas, carrots, and green beans cut into pieces to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients and season with a little more salt.
Step 4: Stir and cook over medium-low heat for another 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Variations
• Chicken breast Jardineira: Use boneless chicken breast cut into medium-sized pieces for a leaner version.
• Chicken thigh Jardineira: Chicken thighs are especially tender and flavorful and work well for this slow-cooked recipe.
• Beef Jardineira: Replace the chicken with beef stew meat for a more traditional-style Beef Jardineira.
• More vegetables: Add other vegetables such as turnip, broad beans, or additional green beans.
• Fresh herbs: Finish the dish with chopped parsley or coriander for extra freshness.
• Milder version: Reduce the amount of black pepper and nutmeg for a milder family-friendly flavor.
Tips for Making Chicken Jardineira
• Cut the vegetables evenly: Cut the potatoes and carrots into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
• Cook the chicken slowly: Keep the heat low while the chicken cooks with the onion, garlic, and tomato. This helps develop a richer flavor.
• Don't add too much water: Add enough water to cover the ingredients, but avoid adding more than necessary. The finished dish should have a flavorful broth rather than being too watery.
• Check the potatoes: The Jardineira is ready when the potatoes and carrots are tender but still hold their shape.
• Add fresh herbs at the end: Chopped parsley or coriander adds a fresh finishing touch.
FAQs
What is Jardineira?
Jardineira is a Portuguese-style one-pot dish made with meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked in a flavorful tomato-based broth. This recipe uses chicken instead of beef.
What is Chicken Jardineira?
Chicken Jardineira, or Jardineira de Frango, is a Portuguese chicken recipe made with chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. The ingredients are slowly cooked together with tomato, onion, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings.
Is Jardineira a Portuguese dish?
Yes. Jardineira is associated with Portuguese home cooking and is prepared in several variations, including versions made with beef and chicken.
What does Jardineira mean in English?
Jardineira can be translated literally as “gardener-style,” but in English it is usually better described as a Portuguese meat or chicken dish cooked with potatoes and vegetables.
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken pieces?
Yes. Chicken breast can be used, although it can become dry if overcooked. Chicken thighs or other bone-in chicken pieces generally stay more tender during longer cooking.
How do I store leftover Chicken Jardineira?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 to 3 days.
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Portuguese Chicken Jardineira (Chicken with Potatoes and Vegetables)
Portuguese Chicken Jardineira is a delicious one-pot meal made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. Everything is simmered in a flavorful tomato, onion, garlic, and olive oil broth, creating a hearty and satisfying dish with classic Portuguese flavors.
- 1.2 kg (2 2/3 pounds) chicken cut into pieces
- 2 medium onions
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- Bay leaf (to taste)
- 200 grams (1 1/3 cups) peas
- 200 grams (7 ounces) green beans
- 3 medium carrots
- 900 grams (2 pounds) potatoes
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes
- 50 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Add the olive oil, chopped garlic, chopped onion, peeled tomatoes cut into small pieces, and chicken to a pot. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and bay leaf.
- Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Peel, wash, and cut the potatoes into cubes. Add the potatoes, peas, carrots, and green beans cut into pieces to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients and season with a little more salt.
- Stir and cook over medium-low heat for another 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
