Braised Chicken Thighs with Olives and Basil
Though it only cooks for half an hour, this dish has the satisfying, melded flavor of a long-simmered stew. Part of the explanation is that the
garlic cloves are cooked whole and them mashed into the sauce.
Recipe Collection Food & Wine Quick from Scratch
Cookbook Italian
Author Susan Rich, Laura Russell
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cooking Time 40 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 chicken thighs, (about 3 pounds in all)
1 teaspoon salt
fresh ground black pepper
1 onion, chopped
12 garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons rosemary, chopped, or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup canned low sodium chicken broth
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree
1/3 cup pitted black olives, halved
1/3 cup basil, chopped
Directions
In a large deep frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4
teaspoon pepper. Put the chicken in the pan and brown well on both sides, about 8 minutes in all. Remove. Pour off all but 1
tablespoon of the fat. Reduce the heat to moderately low.
Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the rosemary and
wine. Bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to dislodge any brown bits. Boil until the wine is reduced to approximately
1/4 cup, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the broth, tomatoes, olives, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the chicken, skin-side up, with any accumulated juices.
Cover and simmer until the chicken is just done, 20 to 25 minutes. Push the chicken to the side of the pan and then mash the
garlic cloves with a fork. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon pepper and the basil, bring just to a simmer, and serve.
Tips
Wine Recommendation: Italy has three great red grapes. Nebbiolo and sangiovese are well known, but the robust aglianico grape
deserves at least the same regard. Opportunity to sample either of its best wines, Taurasi or Aglianico del Vulture.