Delia Smith Chicken Basque Recipe
Olivia Brooks
Delia Smith Chicken Basque Recipe combines juicy chicken, sweet peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and paprika for a rich, comforting one-pan meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Dinner
Cuisine Basque-inspired
Servings 4
Calories 410 kcal
Large deep frying pan or sauté pan with lid
Wooden spoon or spatula
Sharp knife for slicing vegetables
Chopping board
Measuring spoons
Bowl for prepping ingredients
Stove
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on preferred for flavor
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 red bell peppers sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 400 g canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 100 ml chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Step 1: Brown the chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
Place them skin-side down in the pan and cook for about 5–7 minutes until the skin becomes golden and slightly crisp. This step builds a deep base of flavor. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3–4 minutes, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the onions and garlic
In the same pan, add the sliced onions. Cook gently for about 5 minutes until they soften and become slightly translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it—garlic should be soft and aromatic, not bitter.
Step 4: Build the sauce
Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for about a minute to deepen its flavor.
Add the chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, oregano, and chicken stock. Stir everything together and let it gently simmer. You’ll start to notice the sauce thickening and the flavors coming together beautifully.
Step 5: Return the chicken
Place the chicken back into the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top so the chicken stays moist.
Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 25–30 minutes. During this time, the chicken becomes tender and absorbs all the rich flavors of the sauce.
Step 6: Final touches
Once the chicken is fully cooked, stir in the red wine vinegar. This small step brightens the entire dish and balances the richness.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7: Garnish and serve
- Don’t rush browning the chicken—it adds essential flavor
- Slice peppers evenly for consistent texture
- Use smoked paprika for that signature depth
- Let the dish simmer gently, not boil
- Add vinegar at the end for brightness
Keyword Delia Smith Chicken Basque Recipe