Circassian chicken facts for kids

Circassian chicken (in the Adyghe language: Jed de ships sch'etu) is a yummy dish that comes from the Circassian people. It's made with shredded, boiled chicken that's covered in a rich, creamy sauce. This special sauce is made from crushed walnuts and a thick broth, often made with stale bread to make it even thicker.

This dish is a classic part of Circassian cuisine. It became very popular and was even adopted by the Imperial Ottoman cuisine, which was the food served in the Ottoman Empire. While it was often eaten as a main meal, it also became a favorite meze, which is a type of appetizer or small dish. Because it was an important dish during the time of the Ottoman Empire, you can find similar versions of it in other countries around the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. For example, there's a similar chicken dish with a walnut sauce called satsivi in Georgian cuisine.

What is Circassian Chicken?

Circassian chicken is a unique and tasty dish known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. It's not just chicken; it's a special combination of tender chicken and a thick, flavorful walnut sauce. The sauce is what really makes this dish stand out. It's often served cold or at room temperature, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal or snack.

A Taste of History

This dish has a long and interesting history. It originated with the Circassian people, who live in the Caucasus region, a mountainous area between Europe and Asia. Over time, as the Ottoman Empire grew, Circassian chicken became a beloved part of Ottoman cooking. The Ottoman Empire was a very large and powerful empire that existed for many centuries, and its cuisine was enjoyed by people from many different cultures.

Because of its popularity in the Ottoman Empire, the recipe for Circassian chicken spread to other areas that were once part of the empire. This is why you might find similar dishes in places like Turkey, Greece, and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. It shows how food can travel and become a part of different cultures!

How is it Made?

Making Circassian chicken involves a few simple steps, but the result is a truly delicious dish.

Key Ingredients

The main ingredients are:

• Chicken: Usually a whole chicken is boiled until it's very tender.
• Walnuts: These are the most important part of the sauce. They are crushed into a fine paste.
• Chicken broth: The liquid left over from boiling the chicken is used to make the sauce.
• Stale bread: Sometimes, stale bread is soaked and then added to the sauce to make it thicker and creamier.
• Spices: A few simple spices, like garlic and paprika, are often added for extra flavor.

The Cooking Process

First, the chicken is boiled until it's cooked through and very soft. Then, the chicken is taken out and shredded into small pieces. While the chicken cools, the magic happens with the sauce. Walnuts are finely ground, sometimes with garlic, and then mixed with the chicken broth. If stale bread is used, it's soaked and blended into the mixture. This creates a thick, creamy paste. Finally, the shredded chicken is either mixed into the walnut sauce or placed on a plate and covered with the sauce.

How is it Served?

Circassian chicken is very versatile. In its original form, it was often served as a main dish, providing a hearty and filling meal. However, it also became very popular as a meze. A meze is like a small plate or appetizer, similar to tapas in Spain. People often enjoy several different meze dishes together before a main meal, or even as a light meal on their own.

It's usually served cold or at room temperature, which makes it a great dish for picnics or gatherings. It can be garnished with a sprinkle of paprika or a drizzle of walnut oil to make it look even more appealing.

Similar Dishes Around the World

The idea of using walnuts to make a rich sauce is not unique to Circassian cuisine. In Georgian cuisine, there is a famous dish called satsivi. Satsivi is also a chicken dish served with a thick, flavorful walnut sauce. While there are differences in the exact spices and preparation, the core idea of tender chicken in a creamy walnut sauce is very similar. This shows how different cultures can have similar culinary traditions, often due to shared history or geography.