I grew up eating bamya (or bamies) on a monthly basis in my Greek-Cretan home. My mom makes this okra stew with tomatoes and chicken, and my grandma made it with lamb. Now I'm passing the torch to you. Whether you're new to cooking with okra or a seasoned pro, this is one of the okra recipes you'll come back to over and over!
This Greek version of bamya recipe (known as kotopoulo me bamies) comes with a rich, tangy tomato sauce that eliminates the dreaded slime. The fall-apart chicken is just the bonus!
So, let's talk everything you need to know about making okra (without the slime), the secrets to a perfect bamya, and how to make this dish feel like home.
For more Mediterranean recipes don't miss the BEST dolma (stuffed grape leaves with meat and rice), this naturally vegan but delicious Greek green bean stew (fasolakia ladera), and this rustic, traditional Greek rabbit stew recipe in red wine sauce.
🛒 Ingredient notes
To make this okra stew recipe with chicken and tomato sauce, you'll need the following ingredients:
Chicken: You can use whatever part of the chicken you prefer. Many times I ask my butcher to cut a whole chicken in 8 pieces, other times I use drumsticks or chicken thighs because they're more tender and juicy.
Okra: Frozen baby okra works best but you can also use regular frozen okra. I don't suggest cut okra because the stew may become slimy.
Wine: I never use red wine for this recipe, only white or rose.
Spices: Here, you can adjust the spices to your liking. Allspice, black pepper and sumac were used for this okra tomato stew when I took the photos. Other times I skip the sumac and allspice and use a couple bay leaves and paprika. A pinch of cumin or cinnamon will also pair well.
👨🍳 Expert Tips from the Mediterranean Kitchen
✅ Acid prevents slimy texture: Lemon juice and tomatoes reduce the mucilage that makes bamia recipes slimy.
✅ No over-stirring: Stirring okra too much breaks it down and brings out more slime. Be gentle.
✅ Small pods = less goo: Whether using frozen or fresh okra, try to find young, small okra pods. Baby okra works best. The bigger they are, the slimier they get.
✅ If using fresh okra: Trim tops carefully without cutting into the pod.
✅ Add okra last: Cook the chicken first so the okra doesn't get overcooked.
🎥 Video
Watch how easy it is to make this okra recipe:
Music on Video: Fun Musician: AlexGuz
📖 Recipe
Bamya Recipe: Mediterranean Okra Stew with Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (26 g) olive oil
- 6 chicken legs (see note#1)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 1 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon allspice (ground)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- ½ teaspoon sumac (or coriander or cumin)
- ½ cup (120 g) white wine
- 2 cups (480 g) tomatoes (grated or pureed)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 22 oz (620 g) baby okra (frozen )
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) lemon juice (freshly squeezed or more to taste)
- 1 pinch sugar (optional, to balance the acidity)
Instructions
- Let the chicken come to room temperature and pat dry with paper towels. This helps browning and better flavor.Heat a large pot over high heat, add the olive oil and the chicken pieces in one layer and let the chicken brown from one side. Then, flip to brown from the other side.
- Reduce heat to medium, add the onion, salt, and spices and sauté stirring frequently until onion is soft. Add the garlic and stir for 1 more minute.
- Add the wine and stir to deglaze the pan, then add the tomato paste and the pureed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a low simmer. Close the lid and simmer for 45 minutes or until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken from the pot using tongs, and taste the sauce to see if it needs more salt. Add the lemon juice and the okra to the pot, bring to a boil, then simmer until okra is tender (about 20 minutes). Don't stir after you add the okra, just shake the pot gently.
- When okra is almost ready, add the chicken back to the pot and cook for 5 more minutes. Serve with lots of bread and a glass of wine.
Notes
- Choose small, young pods Look for pods no longer than 2-3 inches, because larger ones can be tough or fibrous.
- Wash the okra and dry it thoroughly.
- Trim the stem tips without cutting into the pod.
- Optionally, roast it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This step helps seal the pods and keeps your okra tomato stew nice and silky - not slimy.
More Recipes:
- Vegetarian Chickpea and Okra Stew in Tomato Sauce
- Greek chicken and orzo in tomato sauce (Youvetsi)
- Greek pea and potato stew (arakas laderos)
Nutrition
Variations
Here are some classic variations of this okra dish:
With beef: You can make bamya with beef instead of chicken. The only thing that will change is the cooking time of the meat (about 2 hours in a pot or 45 minutes in a pressure cooker). CSince it's a stew, choose beef chuck for best results.
With lamb or goat: Same as above.
Make it vegetarian. Swap the chicken for chickpeas or hearty mushrooms. If using chickpeas from a can, first saute the onion with the spices, then make the tomato sauce and add the chickpeas along with the okra. If the chickpeas are already very soft, add them the last 5 minutes.
💭 FAQs
Bamya (also spelled bamia or bamies) is a traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern okra stew recipe made with tender okra pods, tomatoes, and sometimes meat - most often lamb or chicken.
It's one of those recipes using okra that feels nostalgic, nourishing, and deeply satisfying - even if it's your first time trying it.
Yes, stewed okra is a healthy dish packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins like A, C, and K. The okra helps support digestion and blood sugar control, while the tomatoes and olive oil (often used in Mediterranean versions) add heart-healthy nutrients. When made with lean protein like chicken, bamya becomes a balanced, nutrient-rich meal perfect for a wholesome diet.
🌍 How Bamya is Used in Mediterranean Cuisine:
Greek Bamies Laderes - An okra stew with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and olive oil, sometimes with potatoes or carrots and meat like beef, lamb, or chicken.
Turkish Bamya - A tangy okra stew with lemon juice, tomatoes, and meat (like lamb or chicken).
Egyptian & Middle Eastern Bamya - A rich stew with tomato sauce, garlic, coriander, and lamb or beef.
North African Bamya - Often includes spices like cumin and chili, sometimes cooked with chickpeas. In some cases, goat meat may be used.
🍳 More Recipes you'll love
This isn't just another one of those okra recipes you try once and forget. This is a meal you'll crave again and again.
If you tried this okra stew recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Punam Paul says
This Greek chicken recipe is very unique, being Indian I have never cooked okra with chicken thought cooked potatoes with it.
This unique combination of okra with chicken is inviting me to cook this Grandma’s Greek Recipe.