Ostropel — Romanian Chicken in Tomato-Garlic Sauce

Romanian Non Fasting Published April 21, 2026

Non-Fasting Recipe: This dish contains meat, dairy, or eggs and is intended for feast days and non-fasting periods.

A rustic Romanian dish of chicken stewed in a punchy tomato-garlic sauce, seasoned with smoked paprika
and plenty of fresh herbs. Ostropel is weeknight food — straightforward, deeply flavoured, and
universally loved. Served with mămăligă or bread.

FASTING LEVEL: Non-Fasting (chicken)

SERVINGS: 6
TIME: 1 hour 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 1.2 kg chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks), bone-in, skin-on
- 3 large onions, sliced
- 10 cloves garlic (yes, 10), minced
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 800 g canned crushed tomatoes (or 1 kg ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
- 300 ml dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika (or smoked paprika for depth)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper
- Large bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- Large bunch fresh dill, chopped

For serving:
- Mămăligă or crusty bread
- Pickled vegetables

METHOD:
1. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Brown chicken skin-side down 8 minutes, flip and cook 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add onions. Cook 10 minutes until deeply golden.
4. Add garlic, sweet paprika, hot paprika, thyme, and oregano. Cook 1 minute.
5. Add tomato paste. Cook 2 minutes, stirring.
6. Pour in wine. Let bubble 2 minutes.
7. Add crushed tomatoes and bay leaves. Return chicken and any juices.
8. Cover and simmer gently 35-40 minutes until chicken is very tender and sauce has reduced to a thick, glossy consistency.
9. Taste for salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves.
10. Stir in half the herbs. Serve over mămăligă or with bread, topped with remaining herbs.

NOTES:
- The 10 cloves of garlic are correct. Do not reduce — ostropel's signature is its powerful garlic-and-paprika punch.
- Some Romanian cooks blend the finished sauce for a smoother consistency; others prefer the rustic texture with pieces of onion and tomato visible. Both are traditional.
- Pair with a white wine like Tămâioasă Românească or a red Fetească Neagră.
- Excellent leftover. The sauce thickens and flavours deepen by the next day.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 420 | Protein: 38 g | Carbohydrates: 16 g | Fat: 22 g | Fibre: 3 g