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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Georgian Creamy-Garlic Chicken (Shkmeruli)

4 Servings

1 hour

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This traybake chicken makes its own rich and garlicky pan sauce. It’s our version of shkmeruli, a Georgian classic we learned in Tbilisi from Giorgi Andghuladze, chef at Craft Wine Restaurant, and home cook Mako Tchabashvili. For ease, we moved the cooking into the oven, turning shkmeruli into a simple, almost hands-free traybake. We prefer thighs and drumsticks, but even bone-in, skin-on breasts work well; be sure to use breasts that weigh no more than 12 ounces each. Placing whole garlic cloves in the center of the baking sheet, surrounded by the chicken parts, prevents the garlic from scorching but allows them to soften so they can be mashed to flavor the sauce.

4

Servings

Tip

Don’t flip or stir the chicken parts during roasting. Once in the oven, there’s no need to fuss with any of the ingredients.

1 hour

Ingredients

  • 2

    tablespoons neutral oil

  • ½

    teaspoon sweet paprika

Directions

Reviews
barbara f.
September 13, 2026
Barbara F
Delicious! I marinated the chicken overnight which I think additional instruction. Served it with mashed potatoes and peas but any vegetable or salad would be a good accompaniment.
Connor G.
September 9, 2026
Perfectly crispy
Wonderful easy meal with great flavor. Mine was done at 30 minutes with perfectly crispy skin and garlic soft enough to mash. Served it with some roasted eggplant, probably will add another green side vegetable next time but was running late! Loved the sauce and how easy and quick the flavor was. I did use the fenugreek and thought it was perfect.
Bill O.
December 27, 2025
Excellent dish
I thought it might be a little harsh with all the garlic, but it was very smooth. Served with broccolini sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes, mixed into penne sauteed in butter and olive oil. Putting back in my calendar right now.
BARBARA J.
December 2, 2025
Terrific and easy
I cut the recipe in half and used lactose free yogurt instead of sour cream. I agree that the garlic was a little crispy and I will also lower the temperature a bit next time (ever oven is different. ) But overall a delicious dish-the fenugreek adds just a little something different and a complex.
Susan M.
October 11, 2025
Chicken to Die For!
This recipe was easy to make and the end result made my husband and I think that we had died and gone to garlic heaven!

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