The recipe for the iconic Roman-style chicken.
A disarmingly simple yet delicious dish! A symbol of the Roman summer, Roman-style chicken has its roots in a time when recipes were made with whatever was available. But where did it come from? And why has it become so iconic? Let’s find out together!
Once upon a time in Rome, Roman-style chicken
In Rome, Roman-style chicken is a dish you can’t resist. Among traditional Roman foods, this dish is one of the most iconic and certainly one of the most beloved by locals. It was grandmother’s classic summer dish, when tomatoes and peppers were in season. It all began in the heart of the Lazio countryside, where families raised chickens and grew vegetables. Like the famous cornetti peppers (the sweet, fleshy ones, often red and yellow). In summer, with the garden bursting with colors and flavors, the idea of cooking chicken with these ingredients was born. Perhaps in a beautiful earthenware pot, with garlic, onion, and tomato. Simplicity above all!
Roman-Style Chicken and Ferragosto
It’s no coincidence, then, that this iconic summer dish is mainly prepared for Ferragosto. This is a major Italian holiday celebrated annually on August 15th, combining ancient Roman traditions with the Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The incredible thing is that until a few decades ago, chicken was considered almost a luxury. It was eaten only on special occasions, and Ferragosto was one of those. So, Roman-style chicken was truly a festive dish, far from being an everyday meal!
A simple yet flavorful recipe
The strength of Roman-style chicken lies precisely in its simplicity. You don’t need fancy ingredients or Michelin-starred techniques. All you need is good chicken (perhaps free-range, as was once the custom), fresh peppers, ripe tomatoes, and a lot of patience. In fact, the secret is in the slow cooking, which allows all the flavors to meld together perfectly. Over time, each family has developed their own version. Some add more tomato sauce, some add wine, some add olives, or even a pinch of chili pepper or prosciutto. We want to share our recipe with you: quick and easy to cook and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 chicken, chopped
Salt
Pepper
½ red bell pepper
½ yellow bell pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 onion
1 cup dry white wine
Fresh tomatoes
Prosciutto, cut into thin strips
Method
Cut a chicken into pieces and brown it in a pan with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, a slice of prosciutto cut into thin strips, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Once the chicken has absorbed the flavors of the ingredients, pour in more than 1/2 cup of white wine. Let the wine evaporate. Then, add about 300 grams of tomatoes and 2 large peppers cut into long strips. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Tips from grandma’s kitchen: use white wines from the Castelli Romani area and fresh tomatoes, and add salt only at the end.
