Makaronia Xoriatika - Traditional Village Makaronia with Boiled Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1 whole chicken or as preferred
250g approx Mitzides macaroni
1 tbsp dried mint
halloumi
lemon
salt and pepper

METHOD
1. Add the chicken in a large pot and add enough water to cover it. Let the chicken boil until cooked through, about 30-40 minutes.
2. Remove the chicken and add the pasta and salt to the chicken stock. While the pasta cooks, cut and shred the chicken. In a separate bowl, grate as much halloumi as your heart desires and mix in about a tbsp of dried mint.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, serve in a bowl with some of the stock, shredded chicken, lots of lemon and plenty of grated halloumi.

This really is a simple dish and is probably one of the most popular go-to comfort dishes for Cypriot families. If you haven’t indulged in enough carbs while working from home, then his one will hit the spot. I used the traditional makaronia from Mitsides (brought a couple of boxes with me when I was in Cyprus, as you do), but you can use any kind of pasta you’ve got and any bit of chicken you can get your hands on at the moment; whole, legs, thighs, wings or even chicken necks. I actually cooked one of our late chooks, Chicken Nugget, (sorry Athi) Athi’s my cousin in Cyprus who doesn’t love the idea of me cooking our chickens lol. The difference in flavour in comparison to what we buy in the shops is unreal. It’s a lot smaller and the meat is darker and tastes richer. Let me know if you give this one a go. Bet you you’ll fall in love with it as much as me. #coronacooking #mycypriotkitchen