Simplicity can be so wonderful, and the Piedmontese cuisine fully embraces this art. It also applies to chicken Marengo, which is said to have gotten its impressive name from Napoleon himself.

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A chicken for the victor

June 1800: Napoleon's troops had just won the final battle against the Austrians at Marengo. It comes as no surprise that the French commander was in good spirits – and also quite hungry. A restaurant owner served him and his entourage chicken Marengo, a chicken, slowly braised with wine and tomatoes. Napoleon was delighted, named the dish after the place of his victory and requested the recipe.

Fried or braised

It was a very rustic recipe that was served to the high lords in Marengo, because, normally, only older chickens are cooked for such a long time. Younger animals would dry out; they taste a lot better when fried. But the Piedmontese farmers needed the eggs as food and as a source of income at the market. Which is why many chickens lived a long life before they were put into a stew or soup pot and cooked until soft.

An old hen makes for a good broth

Gallina vecchia fan buon brodo, we say in Italy. Only older chickens are perfect for the preparation of strengthening stews and broths, which work like magic against cold and illness in winter. Soon this saying was interpreted in another way as well: old people can give valuable advice with their wisdom. And if a young man has a relationship with a more mature woman, it is especially her experience that makes her so attractive.

📖 Recipe

Pollo alla Marengo

Chicken Marengo is said to have gotten its impressive name from Napoleon himself.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Course Main Course, main dish, meat, meat dish

Cuisine Italian, meat

Servings serves

Calories 395 kcal

Ingredients

4 large chicken legs , or 1 chicken in large pieces -approx. 1.5 kg
30 g butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt
pepper, from the mill
nutmeg
1 tablespoon flour
100 ml white wine
200 ml chicken broth, approx
1 bunch parsley

Also:

tomato sauce, some strained
lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Instructions

Chop up very large chicken legs or pieces. Rub olive oil and butter on the chicken and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
Sear the chicken in a casserole dish. Once all of the pieces have an even golden brown colour, douse with white wine and add some flour to thicken the sauce. If necessary, add a few spoonfuls of strained tomatoes. Close the lid.
Add some chicken stock from time to time until the chicken is cooked. Serve with lots of chopped parsley and fresh bread or fried potatoes. To give the dish the final touch, Artusi recommends sprinkling the chicken with fresh lemon juice before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 395 kcalCarbohydrates: 3 gProtein: 22 gFat: 30 gSaturated Fat: 10 gCholesterol: 136 mgSodium: 354 mgPotassium: 402 mgFiber: 1 gVitamin A: 1507 IUVitamin C: 23 mgCalcium: 39 mgIron: 2 mg

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Buon appetito!