Chicken Cream Stew / Pileca Krem Corba

There are certain recipes in Balkan kitchens that are reserved for life’s special occasions. They’re the dishes that make an appearance at Slava, holiday celebrations, weddings, baptisms, and Sunday gatherings when the whole family is together. Often, these recipes are a little richer, a bit more time-consuming, or call for ingredients that weren’t always considered everyday staples. This pileća krem čorba is one of those recipes. While its ingredients are wonderfully simple, the silky, creamy broth and comforting flavors give it an elegance that made it worthy of the special occasions I grew up celebrating.

When this recipe was passed down to me, I immediately associated it with beautifully set tables, loved ones gathered together, and the excitement of a meal that was meant to be savored. It’s why I’ve always referred to it as my “special occasion čorba” over on Instagram, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you today.

Despite its luxurious texture, this isn’t a heavy stew. The broth is velvety and creamy with just a slight tang from the sour cream, while the tender chicken, vegetables, and rice create the perfect balance of richness and comfort. It sits somewhere between a soup and a stew—not quite as light as a soup, but not nearly as hearty as a stew. That makes it the ideal first course for a celebratory meal. In true Balkan fashion, a warm bowl of soup or čorba is often served at some point in the beginning of the meal (the sequence depends on where in the Balkans you are 🙂 ) setting the tone without filling everyone up before the abundance of beautiful dishes still to come. You don’t want to fill up on čorba before getting to the pečenje after all…

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply creating one. My wish is that it brings the same warmth, tradition, and sense of togetherness that it has brought to my family over the years. For more recipes like this, head on over to my soups and stews section for endless possibilities for all skill levels.

Chicken Cream Stew / Pileca Krem Corba

Recipe by The Balkan HostessCourse: SoupsCuisine: Balkan, Serbian

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

A rich and velvety Balkan chicken cream soup made with tender chicken, vegetables, and rice.

Ingredients

• 3 chicken thighs, bone-in

• 2-3 medium carrots

• 1 small celery stalk

• 1 small parsnip

• 1 large onion, previously charred

• 1/2 cup (100 g) white rice

• 1 tsp chicken boullion/boullion paste

• 1-2 tbsp Vegeta seasoning

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• 2 heaping tbsp mayonnaise

• 3 heaping tbsp sour cream

• 3 tbsp all purpose flour

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• Dried parsley, to taste

Directions

• To a medium pot, add the chicken, carrots, celery, parsnip, and onion. Add enough water to cover and then add the chicken bouillon paste.
• Cook covered over medium-low heat until the meat and vegetables are tender but not falling apart.
• Once cooked, remove pot from the heat and remove all the vegetables and meat onto a plate. Feel free to strain the broth if the vegetable pieces are especially difficult to remove individually.
• Dice up the carrot, parsnip, and chicken and return to the broth. Add in the rice. Lastly, add the seasonings.
• Return the pot to the stove and cook on medium heat until the rice is fully cooked through, then reduce to low heat.
• In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine the mayo, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and flour. Ladle in a small amount of the hot broth into the mixture to temper it. Mix well, then pour it all into the pot.
• Turn up the heat to medium, allow to reach a boil, then turn off the heat. Taste and adjust for seasoning, and finish with dried or fresh parsley on top.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Add potato for an even heartier stew or replace the parsnip with potato if you wish.