Monday, May 16, 2011

Beer-Braised Chicken Thighs

Beer-Braised Chicken Thighs

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
1 hr 0 min
Cook Time:
45 min

Level:
Easy

Serves:
4 servings

Ingredients

* 8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 link andouille sausage, casing removed and chopped, or 4 slices bacon, chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 ribs celery, chopped
* 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
* 2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
* 1 rounded tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1 (12-ounce) bottle lager beer
* 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with chiles or stewed tomatoes
* 1 cup chicken stock
* 2 tablespoons hot sauce
* Scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced, for garnish
* Warm baguette, for mopping

Directions

Pat the chicken thighs dry, and season with salt and pepper.

Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the chicken and brown on both sides in 2 batches.

Remove the chicken to a plate and spoon out 1/2 the drippings, and add the andouille sausage. Brown for 2 minutes and then add the onion, celery, pepper, garlic, and thyme, and cook to soften, for about 10 minutes over medium heat.

Add the flour, stir 1 to 2 minutes, and then pour in the beer and let the foam subside. Stir in the tomatoes, stock, and hot sauce. Let the sauce thicken a bit, and then slide the chicken into the pot and simmer to cook through. Serve with warm crusty bread, or cool and store for make-ahead meal.