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Frango com QuiaboChicken & Okra

Traditional farm food.

Frango com Quiabo (Chicken & Okra) — Brazilian home cooking
Frango com Quiabo (Chicken & Okra) — Brazilian home cooking

A cornerstone of rustic Mineira cuisine, Frango com Quiabo features browned, bone-in chicken simmered with tender fresh okra (quiabo). Managing heat and acidity controls the okra's natural mucilage (baba), producing a smooth, savory pan gravy.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Wash okra andWash okra and dry thoroughly with paper towels before slicing into 1.5cm rounds
  2. Heat 20 mlHeat 20 ml of oil in a skillet, add sliced okra and lime juice, and sauté over medium heat for 8 minutes without stirring excessively
  3. The combination ofThe combination of dry heat and acid reduces the mucilage; drain okra on paper towels
  4. Season chicken withSeason chicken with salt, pepper, garlic, and annatto
  5. In a heavyIn a heavy Dutch oven, brown chicken in remaining oil over medium-high heat for 10 minutes until deep golden
  6. Add onions andAdd onions and sauté until softened
  7. Pour in hotPour in hot chicken broth, lower heat, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through
  8. Uncover, fold inUncover, fold in sautéed okra, and simmer for another 8 minutes until okra is tender and gravy thickens slightly
  9. Garnish with scallionsGarnish with scallions and parsley

Questions

How long does Frango com Quiabo take?

8 minutes of cooking — yielding several servings.

How do I keep okra from turning slimy?

Dry it thoroughly, cut in thick rounds rather than thin, and add it only when the stew is at a steady simmer — brief high heat rather than a long stew. A splash of vinegar in the rinse helps too.

What makes this Minas rather than generic chicken stew?

The combination of guoba-scented chicken, okra, and always-optional but traditional pork for depth — country cooking of the Minas hills, served with rice and angu.