Larry said he wanted something with chicken for dinner, but he did not specify how he wanted it. The rest was up to me. So when I hear that, it means I go look things up in my massive culinary library to see what best suits my fancy at the time. This time, I came up with Italian chicken ortolano. Traditionally in Italy, this dish is made from guineas or pheasant or wild fowl, but chicken works very well too. From the best of my understanding of the Italian word ortolano, it means orchard worker or farmer, or from the vegetable patch. Good! It means cooking with a lot of fresh vegetables. I like that. I cook with a lot of vegetables all the time. I have been told many times that I am actually more European than American, and especially with how I cook and love to feed people. That works for me.
Chicken ortolano is a chicken and vegetable casserole or stew that is cooked in stages. The first stage is to cook the vegetables, then brown the chicken, and finally combine them together for a final cooking stage in the oven.

Chicken Ortolano

1/3 cup butter
6 TBSP olive oil
4-6 fresh sage leaves, chiffonade or chopped fine
3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 celery stalks, diced
1 TBSP garlic
2 lbs chicken, cut into pieces – I used breasts, but you can use bone in chicken pieces too
1 cup dry white wine
8-10 pearl onions, peeled
1 large potato, cut into large pieces
2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 cup pumpkin or squash, cut into large chunks
salt & pepper to taste
Coat the chicken pieces in salt and pepper and cook in a combination of the oil and butter. Cook until the chicken is browned on both sides, about 7-10 minutes per side.
At the same time, in a separate pan, cook the vegetables and potato in oil and butter as well. Cook until the vegetables are mostly tender, or about 10-15 minutes.


Add the wine, the sage and the thyme to the vegetables and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, at a medium temperature.


Preheat the oven to 350* F or 180* C.
Spray a large baking pan with cooking oil.
Add the chicken to the coated baking dish, including the butter and oil. Pour the vegetable and potato mixture over the chicken and place the dish in the oven.

Roast for about 30 minutes or until the liquid is mostly evaporated and has thickened and the chicken and vegetables are completely cooked. Serve it up and enjoy with some fresh warmed bread and a glass or two of the same white wine you used to cook with. This dish is rustic Italian at its best. You’re going to love it. !Mangia!

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.
Wow that looks delicious! I’ve never seen that dish, and I’m Italian. Maybe it’s more Northern Italian?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you/ It is very good. I think it is a Northern Italian dish. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
I figured so. About all the central/southern dishes have tomatoes in them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, where as the Northern ones tend to have more of a French and German influence.
LikeLike
Looks awesome!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
Looks yummy π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
I had it in Florence, made with quail, and never thought to try it with chicken. It is absolutely the best!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I bet it would be very good with quail. YUM!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was, but I don’t think I can get quail now, so chicken it will be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might, but I think you would have to go into a specialty shop and/or special order it. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kosher stores don’t do special orders as a rule. There is not enough volume for them to bring it down from New York or Chicago. Before Covid, when we traveled, I would bring specialty items from NY.
LikeLiked by 1 person
COVID sure changed everything, that’s for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fortunately, it hasn’t changed your culinary creativity, dear Jeanne. I am making chicken Ortolano tomorrow, will report results.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SWEET! I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will, darling. Stay tuned. π»
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I would so eat this! It sounds fab! β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks amazing! I love how you plated it with the garlic knot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike