Lidias Italy Chicken With Artichokes Recipes

LIDIA'S ITALY CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Trim the artichokes and cut them into halves or wedges, about 1-1/2 inches wide and soak them in water with juice from the lemon.
• Salt the chicken. In a heavy bottom pan brown chicken in oil, but do not cook all of the way through. Remove and place on a dish.
• When the chicken is done put garlic in pan and cook for about two minutes, until sizzling.
• Take the artichoke out of the water and place in pan with the garlic. Stir well and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and red pepper flakes.
• Cook for about 5 minutes tossing often. When the artichokes start to turn color add wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
• Pour in tomatoes and 3 cups of water. Cover pan, bring to a boil and reduce for a steady simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Return chicken pieces and any liquid on platter to the pan submerging them into the sauce. Cover and return to a simmer again for 40 minutes.
• Check about a quarter way through to make sure there is enough liquid so as not to burn.
• Remove lid and allow sauce to thicken up, simmering for about 15 minutes.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a large bowl of water. Discard the outer leaves of each artichoke. As you do so, and as you continue cleaning the artichokes, dip them into the lemon water to stop the cut sides from browning. Use a paring knife to peel the base and stems. Slice off the top third of each artichoke. Slice the artichokes in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon or grapefruit spoon, scoop out the hairy chokes inside, pulling out any prickly purple leaves as well. Slice each half into three pieces. Put trimmed artichoke pieces in lemon water until needed.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Pat the chicken dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper. In a large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sear in batches until well browned, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add artichokes and garlic to pan, adding more oil if needed, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute more.
• Pour in wine and stir in olives, rosemary branches and grated zest of 1/2 lemon. (Do not discard after zesting.) Return chicken to pan. Bring liquid to a simmer.
• Cover pan and transfer to oven. Cook until chicken is tender, 30 to 35 minutes. (Check white meat after 25 minutes and remove from oven if done.) Transfer chicken to a plate and place skillet over medium-high heat. Simmer until pan juices thicken and become saucelike, about 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in butter.
• Return chicken to pan and sprinkle with cheese. Adjust oven heat to broil and place pan in the oven until cheese is melted and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it does not burn.) Squeeze juice of remaining lemon half over pan and serve garnished with chives or mint if you like.