Jacques Pepins Chicken Thighs Food

JACQUES PEPIN'S CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 175F.
• Cut extra skin and fat off each thigh. Cut a 1/2 " slit into meat on either side of the bone, so that chicken will cook faster and evenly.
• Season thighs with 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
• Place chicken into non-stick skillet, skin side down, on high heat.
• When chicken starts to sizzle, cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 16-18 minutes. If browning too quickly after 10 minutes, reduce heat to low.
• Transfer chicken, skin side up, to a heat proof platter and place in oven to keep warm. Pepin recommends keeping your serving plates in the oven so that they will be warm when you plate the chicken.
• Remove all but 2 tbsp of fat from the skillet. Add onions, garlic and mushrooms. Cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and white wine. If any liquid has accumulated on the platter in the oven, add that liquid to the pan.
• Cook over high heat for 1 minute, to reduce the liquid a bit.
• Divide the mushroom mixture between 4 plates. Place one piece of chicken on top and garnish with chives to serve.

TARRAGON CHICKEN A LA PEPIN

Steps:

• Boil potatoes for 30 minutes (they do not have to be cooked through, they will finished in the oven); set aside to cool, then when cool enough to handle, peel and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over high heat, brown chicken in oil and butter on both sides well; season liberally with salt and pepper and set aside (these also will not be cooked through, but finished in the oven).
• Lower heat to medium-low and toss the garlic cloves into skillet and let cook, stirring occasionally so as not to burn, for 1 to 2 minutes; stir in wine to deglaze pan, stirring all the browned bits from the chicken that stuck to the bottom of the pan, and let reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and tarragon; turn off heat and let stand while you assemble the dish.
• Preheat oven to 350°F; butter a 2-quart covered baking dish or casserole.
• Layer half the onions in a single layer in the bottom of your casserole; top with half the potatoes.
• Lay browned chicken on top of the potatoes, then a second layer with the rest of the onions, topped with the remainder of the potatoes.
• Pour broth over everything, cover and place in oven until chicken is cooked through to 165°F on an instant read meat thermometer, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on how cool you let all the ingredients get before assembly.
• NOTE: This step is optional, but you can run the dish under the broiler to brown the potatoes a bit (makes for a more attractive dish). Also a drizzle of heavy cream and/or a squirt of fresh lemon juice may be a welcome addition.

CHICKEN BOUILLABAISSE

Steps:

• Mix the olive oil, garlic, saffron, lemon zest, salt, pepper, fennel seeds, herbes de Provence, onion, celery, and carrot in a large bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to cook (at least 20 minutes). This step can be done up to 8 hours in advance.
• Transfer the contents of the bowl to a Dutch oven or a stainless steel pot and add the tomatoes, wine, water and potatoes. Cover, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and boil gently for 25 minutes. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes longer. If adding Pernod, stir it in now with the tarragon.
• Remove half a cooked potato and 1/4 cup (60 ml) liquid from the pot and place in a food processor with the garlic, cayenne and paprika. Process for 10 seconds. Add the egg yolk. Then, with the processor running, slowly pour in the oil and process for a few seconds, or until incorporated. Taste for salt and add some, if needed.
• Serve the bouillabaisse in warmed soup plates with a spoonful of the rouille drizzled on top.
• Recipe Credit: Adapted from Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pépin.

JACQUES PEPIN'S CHICKEN WITH CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into eighths with a knife or poultry shears, leaving most of the bones and removing only the back and ribs
• (You can also have your butcher or meat counter cut the chicken for you or just buy parts
• ) Peel the onion, leaving the root intact
• Cut in half
• Prepare the bouquet garni
• Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and pepper
• Preheat a heavy-bottomed, 12-inch (30 cm) skillet with a lid over medium
• Add the oil and the 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
• Sauté the chicken pieces, skin-side down, for 6 to 8 minutes
• The skin should only be slightly browned
• Turn the chicken pieces over
• Add the white wine, chicken stock, bouquet garni and onion
• Simmer gently, covered, for 30 to 35 minutes
• Knead together the softened butter and the flour (beurre manie)
• When the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should be at least 165°F [74°C]), remove the pieces from the skillet to a serving platter
• Discard the bouquet garni and the onion
• Bring the sauce to a boil and reduce to 1 cup (235 ml)
• Whisk in the beurre manie
• Add the cream and bring back to a simmer for 3 to 5 minutes
• Whisk to avoid scorching
• Stir in the tarragon, pour over the chicken, and serve