Brazilian Cheesy Chicken With Mascarpone

“Frango com Catupiry” is an everyday household staple consisting of a baked chicken stew with its namesake cheese, a cheese used mostly in cooking that really cannot be explained, replaced, or compared. But, I think I came close by making this with mascarpone, a mild Italian cream cheese that has a higher percentage of milk fat than the usual go-to sub of cream cheese and doesn’t change the flavor as much.

When I think of Brazilian food that comforts me, I think of dishes that are simple but well seasoned, have that creamy dreamy feel, and are very nourishing. Plus, my mission is to replicate my childhood foods without needing a specialty market, and I think this one nailed it. 

PS: If you use a cast iron pan that can be transferred to the oven, this is a one-dish recipe !

Equipment:

Large Frying Pan or Cast-Iron Skillet

9 x 12 Baking Dish

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken breast or thigh, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 15oz  can of tomato sauce 

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons garlic powder

8 oz mascarpone

¼ cup parmesan

¼ cup parsley, chopped

¼ cup of roasted pumpkin seeds

Servings: 6

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Season the chicken with the salt and garlic powder

Warm the olive oil in a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet (preferable). Cook the onion on medium heat until translucent, about five minutes

Add the chicken and stir every couple of minutes until cooked through, about five minutes

Add the can of tomato sauce and let it simmer for three minutes

If not using an oven-safe pan, transfer to a 9 x 12 baking dish

Add the mascarpone to the top in dollops or be fancy and use a piping bag (or the bottom corner of a ziplock bag like me) to make a swirl

Top it with the parmesan and bake for 20 minutes uncovered

Top with parsley and pumpkin seeds to finish

Serving Suggestion:
Serve over rice, and add a side of something green like steamed broccoli or cooked kale for a veg. Traditionally this dish is topped with crispy matchstick potato chips, so feel free to add batata palha if you are lucky to have some

Watch a video with this recipe Here