Braised Chicken with Ora-pro-nobis Leaves — Minas Gerais Style

Name: Braised Chicken with Ora-pro-nobis Leaves — Minas Gerais Style
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Brésilienne
Ingredients: 1 whole free-range chicken, cut into pieces and seasoned; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 1 chicken bouillon cube; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 onions, cut into chunks; ½ red bell pepper, chopped; Juice of ½ small lemon; A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce; 30 fresh ora-pro-nobis leaves (or fresh spinach as a substitute); Salt to taste

By Marie Lefebvre · Updated November 1, 2026

A beloved staple of Minas Gerais home cooking, this braised chicken simmers in a rich, garlicky broth until perfectly tender, then gets blanketed with delicate ora-pro-nobis leaves steamed right in the pot. Rustic, nourishing, and deeply comforting — Brazilian soul food at its finest.

Prep⏱️ 45 min

Servings👥 6 servings

Difficulty📊 Easy

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🛒 Ingredients

6 servings

1 whole free-range chicken, cut into pieces and seasoned
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 onions, cut into chunks
½ red bell pepper, chopped
Juice of ½ small lemon
A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
30 fresh ora-pro-nobis leaves (or fresh spinach as a substitute)
Salt to taste

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Directions

1
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and lemon juice. Cook, stirring, until the chicken begins to brown.
2
Add the chopped garlic and continue cooking for a few more minutes, stirring frequently.
3
Once the chicken is lightly golden, carefully remove any excess fat from the pot.
4
Add the onions and red bell pepper, stirring them in with the chicken. Cook for 2 minutes.
5
Add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, crumble in the bouillon cube, and pour in 1 cup of hot water. Stir well to combine.
6
Continue adding small amounts of hot water gradually as the chicken cooks — this keeps the broth thick and deeply flavored.
7
Taste and season with salt as needed.
8
Once the chicken is fully cooked, spread the ora-pro-nobis (or spinach) leaves over the top without stirring, covering the entire surface.
9
Cover the pot tightly and cook over low heat for about 3 minutes until the leaves are just wilted. Serve immediately.

💡 Chef's Tip

Ora-pro-nobis is a protein-rich tropical Brazilian plant — fresh spinach or Swiss chard are great stand-ins. The golden rule: never stir the leaves after adding them. They steam gently on top of the broth, holding their vivid color and nutrients perfectly.