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–+ servings
Prize Winning Chicken
Prize Winning Chicken is a delightful retro recipe that balances savory chicken with sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy flavors. This dish combines pantry staples like canned tomatoes and green chilies with tropical additions of mango chutney, raisins, and fresh fruit. The result is a unique, slightly exotic chicken entrée that feels comforting yet adventurous. Its layered flavors, sweetness from mango and raisins, acidity from lemon, spice from chilies and allspice—make it memorable. Served with fruit garnishes, this dish was likely considered special enough for dinner parties and potlucks, explaining its “prize-winning” name.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tbsp oil (for browning)
  • 14 oz whole tomatoes (1 can)
  • 1 can green chilies (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ¼ cup mango chutney
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • 1 ripe mango (sliced, for serving)
  • 1 banana (sliced, for serving)
  • pineapple (chunks, for serving)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

  • Heat oil in a skillet. Brown chicken drumsticks until golden on all sides.

Step 2: Pressure Cook

  • Place browned chicken in the hot skillet .and brown for 12–15 minutes.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

  • In a saucepan, combine tomatoes, green chilies, brown sugar, allspice. Simmer on low for 30 minutes.
  • Add mango chutney, lemon juice and raisins and simmer for 15 minutes more.

Step 4: Combine

  • Add browned chicken to the sauce mixture.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

  • Serve chicken hot, topped with sliced mango, banana, and pineapple pieces.

Tips

  • Use bone-in thighs if drumsticks are unavailable; adjust cooking time slightly longer.
  • For less sweetness, reduce brown sugar or omit raisins.
  • Add fresh pineapple chunks along with mango and banana for extra tropical flavor.
  • If sauce is thin, simmer uncovered for the last 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
  • Serve over rice or couscous to soak up the sauce.
  • Mild dish as written, add extra green chilies for more heat.
  • Mango chutney can be substituted with apricot preserves plus a splash of vinegar.
  • Remove chicken skin before browning for a lighter version.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for color before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 640mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2.2mg
Keyword easy weeknight meal, family dinner, fruity chicken, prize-winning chicken, skillet chicken, sweet and savory chicken, tropical chicken, vintage recipe
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