Spezzatino di Pollo (Italian Chicken Stew)

Spezzatino di Pollo is a delicious and savory Italian chicken stew.  Bone-in chicken pieces are cooked in a rich sauce made with loads of onions, white wine, and herbs. The addition of potatoes thickens the sauce and turns this amazing stew into a hearty rustic meal.

Spezzatino means stew in Italian. Similar to stew recipes from other parts of the world, bite-size pieces of meat are slow-cooked in a flavorful broth until the meat is tender.  Different regions of Italy are known for their distinct variations.  For example, in Venezia, spezzatino is often made with Italian herbs and dry white wine, while in other parts of Italy you may find that tomato paste or tomato sauce are used to flavor the stew.  

Growing up, my mother often made chicken “spezzatino con patate” (with potatoes), and she would serve the scrumptious broth over pasta to make a hearty meal. As a bonus the whole house was filled with the wonderful smells from wine and herbs simmering in the stew.

Unlike stews made of beef (spezzatino di manzo) or other proteins, chicken stew is ready in about an hour. The chicken cooks quickly and tenderizes in the stew broth much faster than a tougher cut of meat, so it is not unheard of for me to make this dish on a weeknight. This is just one of those great recipes with rich flavor that you will turn to over and over again.

Potatoes peeled and cut into chunks.

Chicken pieces with the bone in will provide the most flavor. I leave the skin on, but you can remove the skin if you prefer. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are the most popular with my family. Bone in chicken breasts can also be used, but I would recommend cutting them in half so they fit in the pot and cook more evenly.

Onions cut into chunks. You will use a lot them! Any type of onion such as a white or yellow onion will work. I have not made this with red onions, so I can’t recommend them in this dish.

Roughly chopped garlic. 

White wine will flavor the broth in this Italian stew. Any dry white wine you like is fine. I typically use chardonnay because I like to serve it with dinner.

Chicken stock or chicken broth, whatever you have on hand.

Fresh thyme and sage tied together with a little kitchen twine will create a bouquet that is easy to fish out of the stew when it is done.

1. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven. Season the chicken pieces with salt and ground black pepper. Brown it on both sides and remove to a plate.
2. Add the onions to the pan and cook until tender then add the garlic and cook about one minute.
3. Stir in the white wine and herbs and simmer until the wine is almost completely absorbed. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any of the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the chicken back into the pan along with the chicken stock, and potatoes. Season with a teaspoon of salt and some fresh ground pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the flame to medium heat and cook for 45 additional minutes.

• Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before you brown them. This will remove moisture from the meat so it crisps and browns nicely, creating rich flavors in the stew.
• Don’t over crowd your pan while browning the chicken or it will steam the chicken rather then browning it.
• Keep an eye on the stew as it cooks because the liquid may evaporate. If it reduces too much, add a little more stock or water so that you create the stew consistency that you like.

Serving Suggestions

Spezzatino is a delicious dish I love serving on a cold day with a loaf of crusty Dutch Oven Bread or Focaccia. My mother would serve it over spaghetti, and I must admit that we loved it.  

Storing and Freezing Leftover Chicken Stew

Leftover spezzatino is one of those dishes that tasted better the next day.  The best way to store leftovers is in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer.  Stored properly, they will stay fresh for several days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. The chicken stew is reheated beautifully in the microwave. You can also heat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Other Great Chicken Recipes

I think you will love hearty recipes like my Chicken Cacciatore or Chicken Rollatini that I can count on for amazingly great taste and that are perfect for any occasion.

Other recipes that are popular with my family and friends are Italian Chicken with Pepper and Onions, Easy Chicken Pomodoro with Spinach and Simple Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken.

During the summer months Chicken Spiedini and Easy Smoked Chicken Legs.

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Spezzatino Recipe