The Crispiest Chicken in the Caucasus: Georgian Garlic-Pressed Chicken (Tsitsila Tabaka)
Details
Discover Georgia's famous pan-fried chicken, pressed flat for the ultimate crispy skin and juicy meat. This simple yet spectacular dish gets its soul from a vibrant, fresh garlic sauce drizzled over the top. A true garlic lover's delight from the heart of the Caucasus.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Slice the chicken down the center of the breastbone with sharp kitchen shears or a knife, without cutting it completely in half. Open the chicken like a book and press down firmly on the breastbone with the heel of your hand to flatten it. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels—this is crucial for crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Pan-Fry the Chicken
Heat the oil or butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron is ideal) over medium-low heat. Place the chicken in the pan skin-side down. To weigh it down, you can place a piece of foil over the chicken and then set a second heavy skillet, a pot, or a foil-wrapped brick on top. This weight ensures the chicken makes full contact with the pan, resulting in ultra-crispy skin.
Cook Evenly
Fry the chicken for about 15-20 minutes on the first side, until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp. Remove the weight, flip the chicken, replace the weight, and cook for another 15-20 minutes on the second side, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
Make the Garlic Sauce
While the chicken is resting, prepare the sauce. In the same pan used to cook the chicken, pour off any excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons of drippings. Over medium heat, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the water or broth, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Serve
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro, if using. Carve the rested chicken into pieces and arrange on a platter. Drizzle the warm garlic sauce all over the chicken and serve immediately.
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