Savory Chicken and Sausage Galinhada with Rice and Vegetables Recipe
Introduction
Galinhada is a comforting Brazilian chicken and rice dish packed with vibrant flavors from turmeric, sausage, and fresh herbs. This one-pot meal is perfect for a cozy dinner that brings warmth and tradition to your table.

Ingredients
- 1 onion (peeled)
- 3 garlic cloves (peeled)
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 calabresa sausages (approx. 4 ounces, sliced; substitute kielbasa or chorizo)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 large carrot (finely diced)
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup white long-grain rice (rinsed)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 Roma tomatoes (chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the marinade by combining the peeled onion, garlic cloves, ½ cup fresh parsley, ground turmeric, apple cider vinegar, ½ cup olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth.
- Step 2: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the marinade until fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Step 3: Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the sliced calabresa sausage on both sides for about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the excess marinade. Add the chicken to the pot and sauté until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 5: Add more olive oil if necessary and sauté the chopped onion and diced carrot in the pot until they begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Step 7: Return the chicken and sausage to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 8: Add the rinsed rice, chopped tomatoes, bay leaves, reserved marinade, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine, then cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Some liquid will remain, which is normal.
- Step 9: Turn off the heat and let the galinhada rest, covered, for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and rice to finish cooking.
- Step 10: Stir in the chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your flavorful and hearty galinhada!
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- Substitute calabresa with kielbasa or chorizo for a slightly different smoky flavor.
- Add diced bell peppers along with the carrot and onion for more color and sweetness.
- If you prefer, use brown rice; increase cooking time accordingly and add extra broth as needed.
Storage
Store leftover galinhada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to restore moisture. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but they may cook more quickly and could dry out. Keep an eye on the cooking time and consider shortening it slightly.
Is it necessary to rinse the rice?
Rinsing rice removes excess starch and helps keep the grains separate and fluffy after cooking, which is recommended for this dish.
PrintSavory Chicken and Sausage Galinhada with Rice and Vegetables Recipe
Galinhada is a comforting Brazilian chicken and rice dish made with marinated chicken thighs, sausage, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful turmeric and garlic mixture, then cooked with sausage, onions, carrots, and tomatoes before simmering with rice and broth to create a rich, hearty one-pot meal perfect for family gatherings or a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 65 minutes (including marinating time; 20 minutes prep + 45 minutes cooking + 2 hours marinating)
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 onion (peeled)
- 3 garlic cloves (peeled)
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 calabresa sausages (approx. 4 ounces, sliced; substitute with kielbasa or chorizo)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 large carrot (finely diced)
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup white long-grain rice (rinsed)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 Roma tomatoes (chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (fresh)
Instructions
- Making the marinade: In a food processor, combine the peeled onion, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, ground turmeric, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Process until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Marinating the chicken: Place the chicken thigh pieces in a bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken and toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Cooking the sausage: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced calabresa sausage and brown on both sides for about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
- Browning the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the excess marinade for later use. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and sauté until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sautéing vegetables: Add more olive oil to the pot if necessary. Sauté the chopped onion and finely diced carrot until they begin to caramelize slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Deglazing the pot: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits stuck to the bottom to incorporate them into the dish.
- Simmering chicken and sausage: Return the browned chicken and sausage to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Adding rice and tomatoes: Stir in the rinsed rice, chopped Roma tomatoes, bay leaves, and the reserved marinade. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Cooking rice: Cover the pot again and continue cooking over low heat for another 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked but still moist. Some liquid will remain in the pot, which is normal and adds to the dish’s texture.
- Resting the dish: Turn off the heat and let the Galinhada rest, covered, for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and the flavors to deepen.
- Finishing touch: Stir in the fresh chopped parsley just before serving to add a bright, herbal note to the dish.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavors significantly, but a minimum of 2 hours is sufficient.
- You can substitute calabresa sausage with kielbasa or chorizo for a different flavor profile.
- Long-grain white rice is ideal for this recipe as it cooks evenly and absorbs flavors well.
- Be careful not to overcook the rice; it should be tender but not mushy, with a bit of moisture remaining in the pot.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Galinhada, Brazilian chicken and rice, chicken thighs recipe, calabresa sausage recipe, one-pot chicken meal, turmeric chicken, savory rice dish

