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🥘 Spanish · Main · Medium difficulty · Contains meat or poultry

Galician-Style Chicken

A comforting Spanish main built around chicken, seasoned with potatoes and olive oil.

Prep time
12 min
Cook time
28 min
Total time
40 min
Servings
4
Calories
352 kcal
Protein
33 g
Carbs
15 g
Fat
18 g
Course
Main

About this Spanish steamed dish

Galician-Style Chicken is a Spanish main built around chicken. It takes about 40 min from start to finish, 12 minutes of prep and 28 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.

Cooking method: steamed dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Contains meat or poultry, and marked gluten-free in our data.

Good for: high protein, light & low calorie, everyday healthy.

Ingredients

Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.

  • 500 g chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 800 g potatoes
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • Coarse sea salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Step 1. Arrange the chicken on a heatproof plate and scatter over the potatoes.

    Heat
    Off, no heat yet
    Look for
    Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
    Why it matters
    Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
    Avoid
    Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.

  2. Step 2. Steam over boiling water for 11 minutes until just cooked through.

    Heat
    Medium, with a steady flow of steam
    Look for
    Food is just cooked through, tender but not collapsing.
    Why it matters
    Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
    Avoid
    Over-steaming. Check a minute early and keep the water from boiling dry.

  3. Step 3. Heat a little oil until shimmering.

    Heat
    Medium to high
    Look for
    The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
    Why it matters
    Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
    Avoid
    Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.

  4. Step 4. Pour the hot oil over the top with the olive oil and smoked paprika for an instant sizzle.

    Heat
    Keep the heat steady
    Look for
    The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
    Why it matters
    Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
    Avoid
    Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.

  5. Step 5. Garnish with lemon and serve with steamed rice.

    Heat
    Warm plates
    Look for
    Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
    Why it matters
    Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
    Avoid
    Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.

Chef's tip

Pat the ingredients dry for a cleaner flavour.

Equipment you will need

  • Steamer or lidded pot
  • Heatproof plate
  • Small pan for oil

Nutrition per serving

Estimated per serving: 352 kcal, 33 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat. Roughly 37% of the energy comes from protein, 17% from carbohydrate and 46% from fat, using standard energy values.

Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.

When to cook Galician-Style Chicken

Substitutions and variations

  • Set food above the water line in a steamer or colander so it cooks by steam, not boiling.
  • Add a few slices of ginger or lemon to the water for subtle flavour.
  • Season lightly before steaming and serve sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions about Galician-Style Chicken

How long does Galician-Style Chicken take to make?

It takes about 40 min in total: 12 minutes of prep and 28 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.

How many calories are in one serving?

Each serving has about 352 kcal, with 33 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.

Is Galician-Style Chicken gluten-free?

It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No, it contains meat or poultry. For a meat-free version, swap the main ingredient for tofu, chickpeas or mushrooms and adjust the cooking time.

How difficult is it to cook?

It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.

Can I make Galician-Style Chicken ahead or freeze it?

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.

How many servings does it make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.

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