Braised Cinnamon Chicken Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHILE, CINNAMON, CARDAMOM AND CORIANDER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed ovenproof pan, heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and chili, and cook, stirring often, until slightly softened, about 1 minute. Add cinnamon, cardamom and coriander, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
• Add chicken to the pot along with the salt, pepper, potatoes, coconut milk and just enough chicken stock to half-cover the thighs and potatoes. Turn heat to high, bring just to a simmer, then cover and put in the oven. Cook until potatoes are tender and chicken thighs are cooked through, 45 minutes to one hour.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and potatoes to a serving dish. Tent loosely with foil and let rest. Skim as much fat as possible from the surface of the sauce, then return to a simmer over medium-high heat and simmer until slightly thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice and cilantro, and adjust seasoning as necessary. Pour the sauce over the chicken and potatoes, and serve.

WINE-BRAISED CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the black pepper. Finely grate, pass through a press or mince 2 garlic cloves. Set aside half the grated garlic for finishing the dish. Rub the rest all over the chicken pieces. Set aside the chicken while preparing the other ingredients.
• In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When the butter melts, add chicken in batches and cook until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. If the pan dries out, add a little more oil as needed. Transfer browned chicken to a plate.
• Add remaining tablespoon each oil and butter to the pan. Once the butter melts, add mushrooms and cook undisturbed until well browned on one side, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir and cook for 1 minute longer.
• Thinly slice 2 garlic cloves. Reduce heat to medium, and stir in sliced garlic, leeks and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender and golden brown, 7 minutes. Add rosemary and wine to the pot and let simmer, scraping up the browned bits, until liquid reduces by half, about 1 minute.
• Nestle chicken, skin side up, into the pan and pour in any accumulated juices from the plate. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 25 to 35 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to a serving platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Pluck the rosemary sprigs from the pot. If the sauce looks thin, turn the heat to medium-high and let simmer until it thickens slightly, 2 to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining grated garlic, the crème fraîche, chives and lemon zest. Taste sauce and add more salt if needed. Spoon sauce over the chicken and top with parsley, more lemon zest and a dollop of crème fraîche, if you like, and serve.