Kokoras Hilopites
A traditional Greek dish featuring rooster (or chicken) slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce, paired with handmade egg pasta called hilopites. Comforting, flavorful, and authentically Mediterranean.
Equipment
- Large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Ladle
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 rooster or free-range chicken, cut into serving portions
- 500 g hilopites pasta
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ripe tomatoes grated (or 400 g canned tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 100 ml red wine
- 80 ml olive oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or grated kefalotyri cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat – Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Brown the rooster (or chicken) pieces on all sides until golden, then set aside.
- Build the Sauce – In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, then deglaze with red wine. Add grated tomatoes, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.
- Simmer the Rooster – Return the meat to the pot. Add enough water (or stock) to cover. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 60–90 minutes until the meat is tender.
- Cook the Pasta – In a separate pot, boil hilopites in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine & Finish – Add the cooked hilopites to the rooster and sauce. Stir gently, letting the pasta absorb the flavors for about 5 minutes.
- Serve – Plate the Kokoras Hilopites hot. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated kefalotyri cheese.
- Final Touch – Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the flavors meld together.
Notes
Substitute chicken for rooster if needed—it cooks faster and is easier to find.
Whole-wheat hilopites or orzo can be used as pasta alternatives.
For a richer taste, replace water with homemade chicken stock.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3–4 days or can be frozen (separate pasta from sauce for best results).
