Fricassee of Chicken with Chorizo and Peppers

Recipe by: Patricia Wells | from The Provence Cookbook

Cookstr

Course: Main Course

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

fricassee-of-chicken-with-chorizo-and-peppers

My village butcher, Franck Peyraud, has the most delicious chorizo, nice and spicy and not overly fatty. This dish—with a healthy dose of red and green peppers and the deep red sausage—makes me think of trips over the border into Catalan country in Spain.

Yield: 4 to 6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 fresh farm chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut into 8 serving pieces, at room temperature
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
4 plump cloves garlic, peeled, quartered, green germs removed
2 cups Homemade Chicken Stock

2 ripe, red tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 red bell peppers, trimmed, seeds removed, cut into thin strips
2 green bell peppers, trimmed, seeds removed, cut into thin strips
8 ounces chorizo, cut into bite-size pieces

Equipment:

A large deep skillet with a lid

Directions

1. Generously season the chicken on all sides with salt and pepper.

2. In the skillet, combine the butter and oil over moderate heat. When the fats are hot but not smoking, add the chicken skin side down, and brown until the poultry turns an even golden color, about 5 minutes. Using tongs (to avoid piercing the poultry), turn the pieces and brown them on the other side, 5 minutes more. Carefully regulate the heat to avoid scorching the skin. This may have to be done in batches. When all the pieces are browned, transfer them to a platter. Season once again with salt and pepper.

3. Place the onions and garlic in the fat in the skillet and sweat—cook, covered, over low heat until soft but not browned—for about 3 minutes. Return the chicken and any cooking juices to the pan. Add the stock, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cover, and cook over low heat, turning the chicken in the sauce once or twice, until the chicken is cooked through and has thoroughly absorbed the sauce, about 20 minutes. Add the peppers and chorizo, Cover and cook over low heat just until the peppers are soft, about 10 minutes more. Taste for seasoning. Serve with rice or fresh pasta.

Notes

Wine Suggestion: This dish deserves a robust red: I enjoy something from the Languedoc, Roussillon area, such as a Corbières from Château les Palais, a blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah grapes, with overtones of blackberries, jam, and bitter almonds.

Château Les Palais

11220 Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse

Telephone: 04 68 44 01 63

Tastings Monday to Friday, 9 a.m, to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by appointment only.

Editor's Note

Nutritional information is based on 6 servings, using a 3 pound chicken, and includes 1/8 teaspoon of added salt per serving. Nutritional information does not include homemade chicken stock. For nutritional information on homemade chicken stock, please see the link above.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 608kcal (30%)

Calcium 43mg (4%)

Vitamin C 94mg (156%)

Vitamin A 178mcg RAE (6%)

Potassium 750mg

Magnesium 53mg

Protein 36g

Sugar 6g

Fiber 3g

Total Carbohydrate 11g