Indulging in a Charlie Bigham's ready meal on evenings when cooking from scratch feels overwhelming is a genuine pleasure. The brand's Sicilian Chicken, with its home-cooked essence and premium components, consistently ranks as a personal favourite. However, after relishing this dish, one culinary adventurer decided to craft a homemade interpretation—and the outcome was remarkably superior.
From Ready Meal to Home Kitchen Creation
Katie Oborn, a writer, rarely adheres strictly to recipes, preferring to experiment with her own inventions while drawing inspiration from beloved dishes. Following a delightful experience with Charlie Bigham's Sicilian Chicken ready meal, she embarked on recreating her own version. The result was not only successful but, she boldly asserts, exceeded the original in taste, albeit with a bit more washing up involved.
Batch Cooking Brilliance
Upon preparing the Sicilian chicken-inspired creation a second time, Oborn discovered its perfect suitability for batch cooking. This allowed for effortless reheating the next day, providing a convenient evening meal without additional effort. She incorporated red peppers and tomatoes from her weekly Riverford organic veg box delivery, which significantly enhanced the overall flavour profile, as reported by the Express.
Ingredients for Homemade Sicilian Chicken
To replicate this dish, you will need the following ingredients:
- One skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces
- One red pepper
- One fresh red chilli pepper (alternatives: green pepper or dried chilli)
- Two onions
- Two garlic cloves
- Ten small cherry tomatoes
- A can of chopped tomatoes
- Fresh parsley or any dried herbs of choice
- One stock cube
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- Up to four tablespoons of olive oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare the peppers, onions, and garlic by chopping them.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a medium-sized stainless steel saucepan with a matching lid.
- Warm the olive oil on the hob, then sauté the peppers, onions, chilli pepper, and garlic until softened.
- Add the fresh tomatoes, herbs, and crumbled stock cube, stirring over heat for several minutes until combined.
- Pour in the tin of chopped tomatoes and add two tablespoons of olive oil for a luxurious sauce flavour.
- Season with salt and pepper, stir until gently bubbling, then switch off the hob.
- Add the chopped raw chicken to the sauce in the saucepan; it will cook through in the oven, becoming tender.
- Push the chicken pieces into the sauce, cover with the lid, and transfer to the oven.
- Set a timer for 20 minutes, stir, then return to the oven for another 20 minutes. Total cooking time is roughly one hour; ensure chicken is piping hot before serving.
Versatility and Serving Suggestions
This recipe can be easily doubled for batch cooking and customised with different herbs as desired. Oborn served her Sicilian chicken with crusty bread on one occasion and paired it with M&S Potato Rosti the next evening, showcasing its adaptability. The homemade version not only rivals but potentially surpasses the convenience and taste of ready meals, offering a rewarding culinary experience for those willing to put in a little extra effort.
