Ciulama de Pui

Name: Ciulama de Pui
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 800g chicken thighs, boneless, cubed; 2 tbsp butter; 1 large onion, finely diced; 2 tbsp flour; 200ml chicken broth; 200ml sour cream; 100ml heavy cream; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt, white pepper; Fresh dill

Ciulama de Pui (choo-LAH-mah deh POOY)

Chicken in Cream Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 15 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 420 kcal

Tender chicken pieces in a silky, velvety cream and sour cream sauce — Romania's most comforting weekday dinner.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 32.0g

Carbs 10.0g

Fat 28.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

large skillet whisk saucepan

Presentation Guide

Vessel: shallow bowl

Garnishes: fresh dill, sour cream

Accompaniments: mămăligă, rice pilaf

Ingredients

800g chicken thighs, boneless, cubed
2 tbsp butter
1 large onion, finely diced
2 tbsp flour
200ml chicken broth
200ml sour cream
100ml heavy cream
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, white pepper
Fresh dill

Instructions

1
Melt butter in a large skillet. Brown chicken pieces on all sides, about 8 min. Remove.
2
Sauté onion in the same skillet until translucent. Add garlic, cook 1 min.
3
Sprinkle flour over onions, stir 2 min to make a roux.
4
Gradually add chicken broth, whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer until thickened.
5
Stir in sour cream and heavy cream. Return chicken to the sauce.
6
Simmer gently 15 min until chicken is cooked through. Season with salt and white pepper, garnish with dill.

💡

Did You Know?

Ciulama is the Romanian comfort food par excellence — when someone is feeling sad or unwell, the traditional remedy is a warm bowl of ciulama.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large skillet
whisk
saucepan

Garnishing

fresh dill, sour cream

Accompaniments

mămăligă, rice pilaf

The Story Behind Ciulama de Pui

Ciulama is a French-influenced roux-based sauce that was adopted into Romanian home cooking and simplified into a beloved everyday dish. The combination of sour cream and regular cream creates a uniquely Romanian tanginess. Served over mămăligă or with a simple rice pilaf, it is the definition of homey warmth.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weekday lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Traditional home cooking

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