Gentse Waterzooi
Dive into the heartwarming flavors of Gentse Waterzooi, a traditional Belgian stew that’s as comforting as it is elegant. This creamy chicken dish, hailing from the city of Ghent, combines tender chicken thighs or drumsticks with a medley of hearty vegetables like carrots, leeks, celery, and potatoes. The base of the stew is enriched with herbs like bay leaves and thyme, then finished with a luxurious blend of heavy cream and egg yolks for a velvety, flavorful broth. Perfectly served in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a slice of crusty bread to mop up every drop, this one-pot wonder is both rustic and refined—an ideal dish for cozy family dinners or special gatherings. With its blend of tradition and comfort, Gentse Waterzooi is sure to transport your taste buds straight to Belgium!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1 liter Chicken stock
- 2 large Carrots
- 2 medium Leeks
- 2 pieces Celery stalks
- 4 medium Potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 200 milliliters Heavy cream
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
- 2 pieces Thyme sprigs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Peel and slice the carrots into thin rounds. Wash and slice the leeks into rings, and chop the celery into small pieces. Peel and dice the potatoes into chunks.
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs or drumsticks and sear on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add the carrots, leeks, celery, and potatoes. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until slightly softened.
Add the chicken back to the pot, along with the chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and egg yolks until smooth. Gradually ladle a small amount of the hot broth into the cream mixture to temper it. Then, slowly stir the cream mixture back into the pot while stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
Simmer the Waterzooi for an additional 5-7 minutes on low heat, gently stirring, until the broth thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Garnish the Waterzooi with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve hot in bowls with crusty bread on the side to soak up the flavorful broth. Enjoy your Gentse Waterzooi!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 163.8 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.9 g | 355% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1031 mg | 344% | |
| Sodium | 3556 mg | 155% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 220.2 g | 80% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.4 g | 98% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.8 g | ||
| Protein | 148.7 g | 297% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 510 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 23.7 mg | 132% | |
| Potassium | 6388 mg | 136% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
