Chicken Main Meals

Chicken is an increasingly popular alternative for family dinners. Cheap and versatile, it lends itself well to all sorts of different cooking techniques.

Almond and Apricot Chicken

Never ever mix sweet with savoury. That’s the cardinal rule of modern Turkish cookery. Apples through a salad are a no-no. Ditto for chicken simmered with apricots and honey. And this dish breaks all the rules. Dating to the Ottoman period where cooking culture and tastes were quite different from today, this meal shows off the rich produce and spices of the old empire.

Chicken Stir-Fry with Tomato and Sweet Pepper Paste

This is a favourite student meal in our region – quick, simple and cheap. Some locals will easily use at least three times as much oil as below, but I prefer the less greasy version. A popular variation specific to our village is to sprinkle kaşar cheese, similar to a mild cheddar, on top at the end

Keshkek

When the days grow cold and the snow begins to fall, the body begins to crave comfort food. The hearty, slow-cooked keshkek fits the bill nicely. It appears simple, but there are a few tricks to remember...

All-Spice Chicken with Pilav

A very easy chicken dinner taught to me by a good friend from Antakya. I love the Arab-influenced spice mix infusing the dish, which only improves if served as leftovers the next day…

Chicken Baked with Pastirma and Pearl Onions

Traditionally clay-baked, chicken casseroles like this are loved all over Turkey. This version is flavoured with a cured beef called pastirma. It is much stronger in flavour than cured pork products, so you only need a few thin slices to flavour the whole dish.

Yusuf's Chicken Shish Kebab

One of Turkey’s best-known and loved meals, chicken shish is found on the menu of just about every restaurant in Turkey. But it was in a small eatery in Bursa that I first encountered Yusuf’s version...

Chicken and Sticky Rice Kapama

A homey, all-in-one meal which makes a great family dinner. It’s also perfect for feeding the masses - it's just as easy to make in double or triple quantities. But I guarantee you there will be none left...

Chicken and Onion Borek

Possibly the closes thing Turkey has to a meat pie. This Borek is a great cheap meal for a family, but also a show-stopping savoury pastry to bring along to a potluck luncheon. Cut into wedges and enjoy!

Chicken and Onion Borek

Roast Chicken Stuffed with Pine Nut Pilav

Centre stage at a New Year's Eve family feast in Turkey is typically a large roast chicken.Traditionally, the chicken is stuffed with a pinenut and currant pilav, plus a host of favourite side meals. But this stunning meal works just as well for a weeknight family dinner too...