Braised Mediterranean Chicken With Polenta Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN LEGS WITH CHEESY POLENTA AND SAUTEED GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Place the lemon and onion slices in a baking pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle with the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the chicken. Rub the chicken to coat evenly with seasonings. Place under broiler to lightly brown the chicken skin, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove chicken from broiler and set oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Pour the stock and wine into the pan and cover tightly with foil. Braise chicken in the oven until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow chicken to rest in baking pan, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a large saucepan over high heat. Add the milk and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly to prevent lumping. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking occasionally to prevent sticking, until polenta is done, approximately 45 minutes. Add the cheese, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is preheated add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the greens. Season lightly with some of the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss with tongs, lowering heat if necessary to prevent burning, until wilted and tender, then check the seasoning and adjust to your taste.
• Preheat the broiler. Remove chicken from roasting pan and place on an ovenproof sheet pan. Remove and discard the onions and lemons. Pour the liquid from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1 cup. Place chicken in broiler and cook until skin becomes golden and very crispy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Spoon 3/4 cup polenta onto each of 4 to 6 large plates, then place 1/2 cup greens on top of each followed by a chicken leg. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the reduced chicken cooking liquid over the top of the chicken.

BRAISED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Use a Dutch oven to heat oil.
• Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
• Brown chicken on all sides in batches (about 8 minutes per batch).
• Drain the fat, but reserve 1 tablespoon and return the pot to heat.
• Cook garlic, tomatoes and oregano about 30 seconds.
• Add wine and scrape up the browned bits for 1 minute.
• Add broth and chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and season again with salt and pepper.
• Cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes before stirring in lemon juice.
• Meanwhile, combine 4 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking frequently for 20-25 minutes. Whisk in butter.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low; add the remaining teaspoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chickpeas and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes; cook over medium heat until starting to break down, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the olives, vinegar, and chicken along with any accumulated juices to the pan; toss until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley. Serve over the polenta.
• This recipe can also be made with 1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp instead of chicken; replace the chick peas with cannellini beans.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES, OLIVES, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Season chicken with salt. Heat a large, heavy ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Swirl in oil. Cook chicken, skin side down, until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip chicken, and push to side of skillet. Add 1 cup stock and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add potatoes to liquid. Bring to a boil. Add garlic, olives, lemon wedges, and thyme to liquid. Return to a boil.
• Transfer skillet to oven. Roast, stirring potatoes halfway through, until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Return skillet to stove. Mix cornstarch with remaining 1/4 cup stock, and stir into pan. Bring to a boil to thicken sauce. Serve immediately.