Braised Cabbage with Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather everything you need. You can use a whole chicken or any cut you like — thighs, fillets, leg quarters, drumsticks, and so on. If you're cooking with a farm bird, braise it in broth without the cabbage for about 30 minutes first, since farm chicken is tougher than store-bought.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the chicken, trim off any sinew and membrane, and cut it into serving pieces — large or small, your call. Set the slow cooker to the "Sauté" mode for 10 minutes. Pour the vegetable oil into the pot and add the chicken. Sauté for 4–7 minutes, stirring now and then.

3. Step 3:

   

   Meanwhile, peel the onion, rinse it, and cut it in half. Slice each half into half-moons and add them to the pot with the sautéed chicken. You can swap in shallots, leeks, or any onion you like.

4. Step 4:

   

   Add salt, ground black pepper, and 1/2 tsp ground paprika to the pot, saving the other half of the paprika for the cabbage. If you're buying paprika at a market, taste it first to make sure it isn't bitter — good paprika should be slightly sweet and fragrant. Sauté everything for the remaining time, about 3–4 minutes, uncovered and stirring.

5. Step 5:

   

   While that cooks, cut the head of green cabbage in half, peeling off the outer leaves, and slice each half into medium-width ribbons. Don't shred it too fine, or it will turn to mush once braised. To speed things up, press the sliced cabbage down in a bowl to help it release its juices.

6. Step 6:

   

   When the sauté cycle beeps, pour 100 ml broth or hot water into the pot and press in a couple of peeled garlic cloves. Switch to the "Stew" or "Vegetables" mode for 25 minutes. If your machine doesn't have those, use the "Soup" mode.

7. Step 7:

   

   Add the sliced cabbage to the pot and sprinkle it with the remaining ground paprika. You can use tomato paste instead, but if you don't care for a tangy tomato note, it's better to leave it as is. Cover and cook until the timer beeps, stirring once or twice along the way.

8. Step 8:

   

   As soon as the slow cooker beeps, carefully lift the lid and let the steam escape.

9. Step 9:

   

   Divide the finished dish among plates and let it cool slightly. Chop some rinsed green onion or other fresh herbs and scatter them over the top. It's especially good with sour cream or thick, plain yogurt.