Brazilian Cheesy Chicken with Mascarpone (Frango com Quase Catupiry)
“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!
Brazilian Cheesy Chicken with Mascarpone (Frango com Quase Catupiry)
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
Instructions
- 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
Equipment:
Large Frying Pan or Cast-Iron Skillet
9 x 12 Baking Dish
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.
