Spanish Chicken with Chickpeas & Chorizo

051095094-02-chicken-chickpeas-chorizo-main.jpg

When served over rice, this recipe, adapted from Finecooking.com, tastes a bit like Paella but is much easier to prepare. (Feel free to add seafood or make other changes to make it more Paella-like.)

INGREDIENTS

  • 14-1/2-oz. can diced tomatoes

  • 2 tsp. sherry vinegar

  • Pinch saffron threads

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1-1/2 lb. total)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 2-1/2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 lb. chorizo, cut into 1/2-inch dice

  • 3 large cloves minced garlic

  • 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

  • Flat leaf parsley

  • 2 cups cooked white rice

PREPARATION

Purée the tomatoes and their juices, the vinegar, saffron, and 1/2 cup water in a blender or food processor. Season the chicken with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.

Heat 1-1/2 Tbs. of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the chicken and cook without touching until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the other sides brown, 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. oil to the pan and then add the chorizo and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until they start to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomato purée and chickpeas, and bring to a boil. Add the chicken, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over white rice and sprinkle with parsley.

RecipesSusan JohnsonComment