Basque Style Chicken Fast Food

CHICKEN BASQUAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180˚C fan / 200˚C / 356˚F convection / 392˚F
• Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper then fry in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium high heat until browned all over.
• Remove to a plate, cover with foil and cook the sliced onion with the other ½ tbsp oil for 5 minutes, adding a splash of water if they start to burn.
• Add the red and green peppers/capsicum and fry for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for a minute before stirring in the smoked paprika.
• Tip in the tomatoes, stock, bay leaf and seasoning and bring to a simmer.
• Return the chicken thighs to the pan and place the lid on it.
• Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked all the way through.
• Sprinkle chopped parsley over, if using, and serve.

POULET BASQUAISE (BASQUE STYLE CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 F.
• Season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Rub the chicken skin with the butter.
• Sprinkle the tarragon inside and outside the chicken.
• Place chicken in a roasting pan and pour over half the chicken broth.
• Cover and roast for about 75 minutes, basting every 20 minutes.
• Let chicken rest for 10-5 minutes.
• Deglaze the roasting pan with the remaining chicken broth.
• Make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with a bit of water.
• Stir into the broth and cook and stir until thickened.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet.
• Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add the red and green peppers and the ham and saute for another 4 minutes.
• To serve, carve the chicken and place on a platter. Arrange the ham and pepper mixture around the chicken and pour a bit of the gravy over all.
• Serve with the remaining gravy on the side.

BASQUE-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, cook chicken in hot oil over medium heat 10 minutes or until light brown, turning to brown evenly.
• Remove chicken.
• Add mushrooms, sweet peppers and onion to skillet.
• Cook and stir 3 minutes.
• Stir in undrained tomatoes, wine, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Return chicken to skillet.
• If desired, sprinkle with additional salt and pepper.
• Simmer, covered, 25 - 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
• Transfer chicken to platter.
• Cover; keep warm.
• Skim any fat from vegetable mixture.
• Combine water and cornstarch; stir into vegetable mixture.
• Stir in peas.
• Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
• Cook and stir 2 minutes more.
• Spoon over chicken and rice.