Best Canja Cape Verde Islands Rich Chicken Rice Soup Recipes

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CANJA - CAPE VERDEAN CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE



Canja - Cape Verdean Chicken Soup Recipe image

Canja is the mother of Cape Verdean comfort food. It's a thick, rich and delicious chicken soup that's made with rice, vegetables and simple seasonings.

Provided by Crystal

Categories     Cape Verdean Dishes

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 juiced lemon
2 teaspoons of salt, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of paprika
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons of crushed garlic, divided
1 tablespoon of olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 quartered tomato
8 cups of chicken broth, plus enough water to top the pot off
2 bouillon cubes
2 small carrots, diced
1-2 small potatoes, diced very small
1 and ½ cups of medium-grain rice

Steps:

  • Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to rub the vinegar and lemon juice all over them. Fill the bowl with enough water to cover the chicken, stir a few times and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Drain the water, rinse 1 or 2 times and drain again.
  • Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Add the bay leaves and cover the bowl in plastic wrap. Let the chicken marinate for a minimum of 1 hour (or overnight) in the refrigerator.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs to the pot and make sure to reserve the bowl that you seasoned the chicken in. Brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side and then transfer the chicken thighs to a plate.
  • Add the quartered tomato, chopped onions and the reserved bay leaves to the pot. Saute everything until the onions are clear and the tomato cooks down. Add the chicken back to the pot.
  • Add a splash of the chicken broth to the bowl that you used to season the chicken. Swirl the broth around in the bowl so that it loosens any seasonings that were left behind. Pour the seasoned broth into the pot and then add the remaining chicken broth. Top the pot off with enough tap water to fill the pot 3/4 of the way up. Bring the pot to a boil, lower the flame and let it simmer for 1 hour.
  • Taste the broth and adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your liking. Remove the chicken from the soup and shred or break it up.
  • Add the chicken back to the pot, and add the rice and carrots. Let the canja continue to simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Add the potatoes to the canja and let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
  • Turn the flame off and stir the canja. Put the lid back on and let the canja sit for about 20-30 minutes.
  • Ladle the canja into bowls and serve it with hot sauce and chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249 calories, Sugar 4 g, Sodium 1631.4 mg, Fat 7.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 20.1 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 25.5 g, Cholesterol 110.1 mg

CANJA (CAPE VERDE ISLANDS) RICH CHICKEN & RICE SOUP



Canja (Cape Verde Islands) Rich Chicken & Rice Soup image

This very thick, rich soup is made to celebrate special occasions, such as New Year's eve and special family events. This recipe was adapted from the Smithsonian Institution's, 1995 Festival of American Folklife Cookbook. Recipes for the book were contributed by American Cape Verdeans who are active in preserving their cultural heritage. The Cape Verde Islands are located about 300 miles west of Senegal. Many Cape Verdeans migrated to the Atlantic coast of the U.S., many to Rhode island.

Provided by lynnski LA

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 whole chicken, cut up
2 medium onions, chopped
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup short-grain white rice
vegetable oil (for frying)
3 cups water

Steps:

  • Saute onions in oil. Next add chicken pieces, boullion cubes and saute a few minutes more.
  • Add 3 cups of water to the pan and bring to a boil.
  • Simmer 30 to 35 minutes, until rice is cooked. Add water to adjust to desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 570.8, Fat 27.2, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 122.3, Sodium 676.9, Carbohydrate 45.7, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 2.9, Protein 32.9

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