Braised Chicken Thighs with Apricots and Green Olives
Too busy to braise on a weeknight? Maybe you should rethink your protein.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
- 1 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 medium-size yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon hot piménton
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/3 cup green olives (such as castelvetrano)
- 1/4 cup dried apricots (about 1 1/2 ounces), sliced
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Direction
- Heat oil in a deep 10 1/4-inch to 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high until hot and fragrant. Pat chicken dry. Season skin side of chicken evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, and place chicken, skin side down, in hot skillet; it should sizzle immediately. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Flip chicken, and cook, undisturbed, until browned on bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from pan, taking care not to pour off any of the flavorful browned bits. Return pan to heat over low; add onion, black pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until onions are meltingly tender and beginning to caramelize, about 20 minutes, stirring in garlic during final 5 minutes of cook time. Stir in coriander and pimentón; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Deglaze with wine, and increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until wine is almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock and lemon zest. Return chicken, skin side up, to pan along with any juices. Bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cover and gently simmer until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring in olives and apricots halfway through cooking time, making sure apricots are submerged in liquid.
- Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Add butter to pan (liquid doesn’t have to be simmering), whisking constantly to incorporate. Serve chicken with sauce.