Basque Chicken Recipes

BASQUE-STYLE CHICKEN WITH PEPPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Cook the chicken: Return all the chicken to the pan, skin side up, along with any juices in the bowl. It's ok if the thighs are a tight fit. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Return to a boil, lower the heat, and partially cover. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, opaque, and registers 165°F with a digital thermometer.

BASQUE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place flour in a shallow dish. Dip chicken into flour to coat. In a large skillet cook chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat about 4 minutes or until chicken is browned, turning once. Remove chicken.
• Add sweet peppers, onion and garlic to skillet. Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are nearly tender. Add paprika and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
• Stir in undrained tomatoes, broth and olives (this is where I add about 1/8 cup wine). Bring to boiling. Return chicken to skillet, spooning tomato mixture over chicken. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
• Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Stir snipped oregano into tomato mixture. Spoon tomato mixture over chicken. If desired, garnish with some oregano leaves.

BASQUE CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat deep stove top casserole or pan and add oil and chicken (I season with salt and pepper).
• Brown chicken well and remove to platter.
• Leave oil in pan (I drain off all but 2 tablespoons).
• Add to pan the garlic, onion and bell pepper.
• Saute until onion is clear and then deglaze pan with the 1/4 cup water.
• Return chicken to pan and add the chicken stock, rice, bay leaf, and more salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to boil, cover the pan, and turn down to a simmer.
• Cook 25 minutes or until rice is tender.

CHICKEN BASQUE STYLE

Steps:

• Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.Grill or broil,skin side toward the flame (or heating element),until the skin is bubbly (about 15 minutes in an electric oven).
• While the peppers are broiling,prepare the onion and garlic.Place 1/3 of the fat in a large frying pan and melt it over medium heat. Add the pork belly and cook for a few minutes to release some of the fat. Add the onion and 3 cloves of the garlic.Cook,stirring occasionally,until translucent,about 10 minutes.
• Remove the peppers from the oven or grill and place in a paper bag for a few minutes.When the peppers have cooled slightly,remove the skin.Coarsely chop the peppers (there should be about 2 1/2 cups).
• Add the bell peppers and the hot peppers to the onions and garlic.Increase the heat and allow the mixture to color slightly.Add the tomatoes. Continue cooking over high heat for about 5 minutes,or until the tomatoes have collapsed.Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook,partially covered and stirring occasionally,for 40 minutes.
• Twenty minutes before the vegetables are done,season the chicken with salt and pepper.Place the remaining fat in a large,straight-sided frying pan,a wide-mouthed stock pot or braiser.Melt the fat over medium-high heat.Add the chicken pieces,two cloves of garlic,bay leaves and thyme.Brown the chicken on all sides,working in two batches if necessary,so there is no trace of red.
• Return all of the chicken to the pot and add the vegetable mixture. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook at a low simmer for 30 minutes.

BASQUE CHICKEN WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown the chicken on both sides, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium and add the peppers, onion, bacon, parsley and garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic and onion become translucent, about five minutes.
• Return the chicken to the pan, cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Add the peas, stir gently, cover and cook just until they are heated through, three to five minutes. (If using frozen peas, increase the cooking time slightly.) Season to tase.
• To serve, transfer the chicken and vegetables to a warmed serving platter and pour the cooking juices over all.