Carmela Soprano's Chicken Scarpariello - Chicken and Sausage Casserole

Sunday dinner with the family.

You just know somebody is going to complain.

It's best to have a sort of 'surf and turf' main course.

Something for everybody.  More or less...

There's a something for everybody main course in Artie's chapter Mia Cucina in The Sopranos Family Cookbook: Chicken Scarpariello.

Maybe Artie and Charmaine had invited a few relatives to dinner.

Some wanted chicken.

Some wanted sausages.

Wallah!!  An Italian 'perch and pen' dish to the rescue.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention… and recipes.

Hint:

The skillet should be large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer.

                        Chicken Scarpariello

Serves 6

In a medium skillet place

1 pound Italian-style pork sausages

Prick them all over with a fork.

Add

Cold water to come half way up the sausages.

Cover the pan, place over medium heat.

Cook until the water has evaporated and the sausages are cooked through.

Uncover and cook until browned.

Cut the sausages into 1-inch pieces.

Pat dry

3 pounds chicken pieces (18 pieces, more or less)

In a large skillet pour

1/4 Cup olive oil

Heat over medium heat.

In the heated oil place in a single layer 

The dried chicken pieces

Sprinkle with

salt and pepper

Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes.

Add 

6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Cook over low heat 2 minutes.

Tip the pan and spoon off most of the fat.

Add 

the cooked sausage pieces

1/4 Cup chicken broth

1 Cup pickled sweet peppers, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/4 Cup white wine vinegar (or the peppers' pickling liquid)

Cook over high heat, stirring often, about 10 to 15 minutes. 

The liquid will be reduced to a glaze.

Serve immediately.

Would I make Chicken Scarpariello again?

Yes, but I would use white wine instead of the vinegar or the pickling liquid.

With relatives visiting, who needs more agita?

One recipe down.  Eighteen more to go.