Dinner

Chicken Basquaise

Name: Chicken Basquaise
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 90 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1.5 kg chicken joints; 25 g butter; 6 tbsp olive oil; 2 red onions, sliced; 3 large large red peppers; 130 g chorizo; 8 sun-dried tomatoes; 6 cloves garlic, sliced; 300 g basmati rice; tomato purée, a drizzle; ½ tsp paprika; 4 bay leaves; thyme, chopped, a handful; 350 ml chicken stock; 180 g dry white wine; 2 lemons, cut into wedges; 100 g black olives; salt, to serve; pepper, to serve

A hearty French Basque-style chicken casserole with chorizo, peppers, rice, olives, and lemon.

1 hr 30 min
850 kcal
French

Mellowpan tip: Makes 6 servings. Plan the extras as tomorrow’s lunch.

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Ingredients

For 6 servings

Steps

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 4.
Step 2:
Have the chicken joints ready to cook.
Step 3:
Heat the butter and 3 tbsp of the olive oil in a flameproof casserole or large frying pan.
Step 4:
Brown the chicken pieces in batches on both sides, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
Step 5:
Do not crowd the pan; fry the chicken in small batches, removing the pieces to kitchen paper as they are done.
Step 6:
Add a little more olive oil to the casserole and fry the onions over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned.
10 min
Step 7:
Add the remaining olive oil, then the peppers, and cook for another 5 minutes.
5 min
Step 8:
Add the chorizo, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic, and cook for 2–3 minutes.
2–3 min
Step 9:
Add the rice and stir to coat it well in the oil.
Step 10:
Stir in the tomato purée, paprika, bay leaves, and chopped thyme.
Step 11:
Pour in the stock and wine. When the liquid starts to bubble, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Step 12:
Press the rice down into the liquid if it is not already submerged, then place the chicken on top.
Step 13:
Add the lemon wedges and olives around the chicken.
Step 14:
Cover and cook in the oven for 50 minutes.
50 min
Step 15:
Check that the rice is cooked but still has some bite and that the chicken juices run clear when pierced in the thickest part with a knife. If not, cook for another 5 minutes and check again.
5 min