Peas with chicken breast is one of the dishes I make most often. It is prepared with minimal effort, and with a multicooker, things are even simpler: you brown the meat and vegetables, add the peas, and then the machine cooks for you. The zacusca and tomato paste give the sauce flavor and help it achieve a thicker consistency.
Quick Info
Preparation time: not specified in the original recipe
Cooking time: approximately 55 minutes, of which 15 minutes on the FRY function and 40 minutes on the STEW function
Total time: depends on the time needed for cleaning and chopping the ingredients
Servings: not specified
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: pea dish with meat, prepared in a multicooker
Ingredients
800 g frozen peas
500 g chicken breast
120 ml oil
2 yellow onions
1 red onion
1 carrot
3 garlic cloves
salt, to taste
1 pinch of thyme
1 pinch of ground pepper
1 pinch of oregano
2 tablespoons of zacusca
3 tablespoons of roasted pepper tomato paste
2 bay leaves
3-4 sprigs of dill
1 l of water
Preparation method
1. Prepare all the ingredients before turning on the multicooker. Clean the onions, garlic, and carrot, wash them, and chop them finely. The vegetables do not need to be chopped very finely, but the pieces should be small enough to cook evenly.
2. Wash the chicken breast, cut it into cubes, and season it with salt and pepper. Set it aside while you prepare the vegetables.
3. Pour the oil into the multicooker pot, plug the device into the power source, and select the FRY function for 15 minutes.
4. When the oil is hot, add the pieces of chicken breast. Brown them lightly on all sides for a few minutes, turning them with the spatula of the device. It is not necessary to cook them completely at this stage; the important thing is to give them a little color.
5. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and garlic. Add a few drops of water, cover the pot, and let the program continue until the 15 minutes are up. Stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking and to ensure even cooking.
6. After the FRY program ends, add the frozen peas and pour enough water to cover them. Use only as much of the total water as needed for this step, depending on how full the pot is and the desired consistency.
7. Select the STEW program for 40 minutes and close the lid. Let the multicooker cook without lifting the lid during the first part of the program.
8. After about three-quarters of the cooking time has passed, carefully lift the lid and check the peas. If they are almost cooked, add the zacusca, roasted pepper tomato paste, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and a little pepper if needed. Stir a few times, then close the lid again and let the program finish.
9. When the 40 minutes are up, unplug the multicooker from the power source. Remove the pot from the device and sprinkle the chopped dill on top.
10. If the sauce is too runny, you can thicken it with a tablespoon of flour diluted in a little water. Add the mixture towards the end of the preparation and let the dish cook until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
Why I make this recipe often
It is a practical dish for days when I want something cooked but do not want to stand by the stove all the time. After adding the peas and setting the STEW program, the multicooker takes care of most of the cooking.
I often use zacusca in dishes, especially in sauces. It is not commonly consumed on its own, and in this recipe, it finds a good place: it adds flavor and helps the sauce to be thicker. The dish can also be prepared in larger quantities, which is useful for the next day's meal.
Tips and variations
Tips
Prepare and chop all the ingredients before plugging the device into the power source. This way, you can start cooking immediately and not let the oil heat up without having everything you need on hand.
The chicken breast only needs to be lightly browned at the beginning. The actual cooking continues together with the peas, so it is not necessary to fry it for a long time on the FRY function.
The amount of water can vary slightly. Add enough to cover the peas, but check the dish before the end. If it has too much liquid, use the method with diluted flour in water mentioned above.
The peas are checked after about three-quarters of the STEW program has passed. At that moment, you can see if they are almost cooked and can add the zacusca, tomato paste, and spices.
Substitutions
The recipe is written for frozen peas, chicken breast, zacusca, and roasted pepper tomato paste. If you choose to omit the zacusca, the sauce will have a slightly different consistency and flavor, but the tomato paste remains in the dish. For thickening, the diluted flour in water is the option mentioned in the original recipe.
Variations
The main variation is the consistency of the sauce. You can leave the dish more fluid or thicken it towards the end with diluted flour in a little water. Zacusca also plays an important role in the texture of the sauce, not just in flavor.
The amount of water is adjusted based on how much sauce you want and how much water remains in the pot during cooking. It is better to check before the end than to add all the water without controlling the consistency.
Serving ideas
The dish is served hot, with chopped dill sprinkled on top. It is sufficient as a main course, as it contains both meat and vegetables and sauce. If the sauce remains more fluid, it can be poured directly over the serving, and if it is thicker, it is served as a classic pea dish.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use frozen peas directly from the freezer?
Yes. The peas are added frozen to the pot after the chicken breast and vegetables have been browned on the FRY function. It is not necessary to thaw them beforehand.
2. When do I add the zacusca and tomato paste?
They are added after about three-quarters of the STEW program has passed, when the peas are almost cooked. After putting them in the pot, you also add the thyme, oregano, and bay leaves, stir, and then close the lid again.
3. What do I do if the dish has too much liquid?
You can thicken the sauce with a tablespoon of flour mixed with a little water. Add the mixture towards the end of cooking and let the dish simmer until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
4. Do I need to stir during the STEW program?
The recipe does not require frequent stirring during this program. It is recommended to check the dish after about three-quarters of the cooking time, when you add the zacusca, tomato paste, and spices.
5. What do I do after the program ends?
Unplug the multicooker from the power source, remove the pot from the device, and sprinkle the chopped dill over the dish.
Nutritional values
The values below are estimates for the entire amount of food and can vary depending on the brand of ingredients, the amount of oil left in the dish, the type of zacusca, and the final amount of sauce.
For the entire recipe:
Calories: approximately 2,700-2,900 kcal
Proteins: approximately 140-150 g
Carbohydrates: approximately 160-180 g
Fats: approximately 140-150 g
Most of the fats come from the 120 ml of oil, and the peas contribute a significant amount of carbohydrates and fiber. Without a clear number of servings and without the final weight of the dish, values for a serving cannot be calculated accurately.
Storage and reheating
After cooling, store the dish in a covered container in the refrigerator. It is recommended to be consumed within about 2-3 days.
For reheating, place the portion in a pot or suitable dish and heat gradually. If the sauce has thickened too much when cold, you can add a little water and stir before heating.
Quick Info
Preparation time: not specified in the original recipe
Cooking time: approximately 55 minutes, of which 15 minutes on the FRY function and 40 minutes on the STEW function
Total time: depends on the time needed for cleaning and chopping the ingredients
Servings: not specified
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: pea dish with meat, prepared in a multicooker
Ingredients
800 g frozen peas
500 g chicken breast
120 ml oil
2 yellow onions
1 red onion
1 carrot
3 garlic cloves
salt, to taste
1 pinch of thyme
1 pinch of ground pepper
1 pinch of oregano
2 tablespoons of zacusca
3 tablespoons of roasted pepper tomato paste
2 bay leaves
3-4 sprigs of dill
1 l of water
Preparation method
1. Prepare all the ingredients before turning on the multicooker. Clean the onions, garlic, and carrot, wash them, and chop them finely. The vegetables do not need to be chopped very finely, but the pieces should be small enough to cook evenly.
2. Wash the chicken breast, cut it into cubes, and season it with salt and pepper. Set it aside while you prepare the vegetables.
3. Pour the oil into the multicooker pot, plug the device into the power source, and select the FRY function for 15 minutes.
4. When the oil is hot, add the pieces of chicken breast. Brown them lightly on all sides for a few minutes, turning them with the spatula of the device. It is not necessary to cook them completely at this stage; the important thing is to give them a little color.
5. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and garlic. Add a few drops of water, cover the pot, and let the program continue until the 15 minutes are up. Stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking and to ensure even cooking.
6. After the FRY program ends, add the frozen peas and pour enough water to cover them. Use only as much of the total water as needed for this step, depending on how full the pot is and the desired consistency.
7. Select the STEW program for 40 minutes and close the lid. Let the multicooker cook without lifting the lid during the first part of the program.
8. After about three-quarters of the cooking time has passed, carefully lift the lid and check the peas. If they are almost cooked, add the zacusca, roasted pepper tomato paste, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and a little pepper if needed. Stir a few times, then close the lid again and let the program finish.
9. When the 40 minutes are up, unplug the multicooker from the power source. Remove the pot from the device and sprinkle the chopped dill on top.
10. If the sauce is too runny, you can thicken it with a tablespoon of flour diluted in a little water. Add the mixture towards the end of the preparation and let the dish cook until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
Why I make this recipe often
It is a practical dish for days when I want something cooked but do not want to stand by the stove all the time. After adding the peas and setting the STEW program, the multicooker takes care of most of the cooking.
I often use zacusca in dishes, especially in sauces. It is not commonly consumed on its own, and in this recipe, it finds a good place: it adds flavor and helps the sauce to be thicker. The dish can also be prepared in larger quantities, which is useful for the next day's meal.
Tips and variations
Tips
Prepare and chop all the ingredients before plugging the device into the power source. This way, you can start cooking immediately and not let the oil heat up without having everything you need on hand.
The chicken breast only needs to be lightly browned at the beginning. The actual cooking continues together with the peas, so it is not necessary to fry it for a long time on the FRY function.
The amount of water can vary slightly. Add enough to cover the peas, but check the dish before the end. If it has too much liquid, use the method with diluted flour in water mentioned above.
The peas are checked after about three-quarters of the STEW program has passed. At that moment, you can see if they are almost cooked and can add the zacusca, tomato paste, and spices.
Substitutions
The recipe is written for frozen peas, chicken breast, zacusca, and roasted pepper tomato paste. If you choose to omit the zacusca, the sauce will have a slightly different consistency and flavor, but the tomato paste remains in the dish. For thickening, the diluted flour in water is the option mentioned in the original recipe.
Variations
The main variation is the consistency of the sauce. You can leave the dish more fluid or thicken it towards the end with diluted flour in a little water. Zacusca also plays an important role in the texture of the sauce, not just in flavor.
The amount of water is adjusted based on how much sauce you want and how much water remains in the pot during cooking. It is better to check before the end than to add all the water without controlling the consistency.
Serving ideas
The dish is served hot, with chopped dill sprinkled on top. It is sufficient as a main course, as it contains both meat and vegetables and sauce. If the sauce remains more fluid, it can be poured directly over the serving, and if it is thicker, it is served as a classic pea dish.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use frozen peas directly from the freezer?
Yes. The peas are added frozen to the pot after the chicken breast and vegetables have been browned on the FRY function. It is not necessary to thaw them beforehand.
2. When do I add the zacusca and tomato paste?
They are added after about three-quarters of the STEW program has passed, when the peas are almost cooked. After putting them in the pot, you also add the thyme, oregano, and bay leaves, stir, and then close the lid again.
3. What do I do if the dish has too much liquid?
You can thicken the sauce with a tablespoon of flour mixed with a little water. Add the mixture towards the end of cooking and let the dish simmer until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
4. Do I need to stir during the STEW program?
The recipe does not require frequent stirring during this program. It is recommended to check the dish after about three-quarters of the cooking time, when you add the zacusca, tomato paste, and spices.
5. What do I do after the program ends?
Unplug the multicooker from the power source, remove the pot from the device, and sprinkle the chopped dill over the dish.
Nutritional values
The values below are estimates for the entire amount of food and can vary depending on the brand of ingredients, the amount of oil left in the dish, the type of zacusca, and the final amount of sauce.
For the entire recipe:
Calories: approximately 2,700-2,900 kcal
Proteins: approximately 140-150 g
Carbohydrates: approximately 160-180 g
Fats: approximately 140-150 g
Most of the fats come from the 120 ml of oil, and the peas contribute a significant amount of carbohydrates and fiber. Without a clear number of servings and without the final weight of the dish, values for a serving cannot be calculated accurately.
Storage and reheating
After cooling, store the dish in a covered container in the refrigerator. It is recommended to be consumed within about 2-3 days.
For reheating, place the portion in a pot or suitable dish and heat gradually. If the sauce has thickened too much when cold, you can add a little water and stir before heating.