Mamas Chicken Provencal Recipes

PROVENçAL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare a medium heat fire (325°F) in a wood-fired oven or cooker. If using a wood-fired oven, keep a small fire (one small log) going in the far left rear of the oven to maintain the heat throughout the cooking process.
• Combine the bread crumbs, herbes de Provence, the 1 teaspoon salt, and the 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Pat the chicken dry, then toss in the bread-crumb mixture, and set aside on a baking sheet.
• Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or shallow clay baking dish over medium heat and brown the chicken on all sides. Transfer the chicken to a shallow clay baking dish or ceramic-coated cast-iron cookware. Add the shallots, garlic, prunes, olives, capers, and fennel seeds. Combine the wine and honey plus any reserved orange juice and pour the liquid over the chicken. Add more salt and pepper. Cover tightly with a heavy ovenproof lid or aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the mixture is bubbly. Uncover and place the orange wedges, skin side up, around the chicken, then cook for another 15 minutes to caramelize the chicken. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in skillet over medium high heat and cook chicken in batches until browned on both sides then add to slow cooker.
• Heat remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in empty skillet. Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and cook until softened, about 5 minute Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the wine, scraping up an brown bits. Simmer until the wine has reduced by half, about 5 minutes, then pour into slow cooker.
• Add the tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups of broth, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low until tender, about 4 hours.
• Transfer chicken to large serving dish and tent loosely with foil. Discard bay leaves. Set the cooker to high. Whisk the flour with the remaining 1/2 cup of broth until smooth, then stir into slow cooker until thickened, about 15-30 minutes. Stir in olives, parsley and lemon zest and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon over chicken.

CHICKEN PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper and put it in the pan. Cook the chicken until browned, turning, about 8 minutes in all. Remove the chicken from the pan. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the wine to the pan and simmer until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, olives, anchovy paste, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken thighs and drumsticks and any accumulated juices. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the breasts and cook until the chicken is just done, about 10 minutes more. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve.