Braised Chicken with Vegetables

Sometimes it is hard to use all the produce in your kitchen to it's fullest potential, especially if the weather outside tells you one day to grill and the next to stay in and stew it. Originally I pulled out chicken thighs to BBQ in a lemon herb marinade (it was 93˚ the day before so I found this to be the best idea) however when I got home the SF fog had rolled in and the idea of standing outside to turn chicken became a major turn off....so then I started to rack my brain for what to do with these damn chicken thighs! I began to look through the depths of the produce drawer in the fridge to find some really sad and neglected carrots, celery and broccoli (which I kept putting off for wayyyyy to long), I pulled all of the veg. out cut it up and put it on a roasting pan with some olive oil, figured roast the veggies and the chicken. Right after I put the vegetables in the oven it dawned on me, I have a dutch oven, lets braise them!

Braised Chicken and Vegetables

what you need:

chicken thighs (bone in skin on)

broccoli

carrots 

onions

fresh herbs

tomato

1/2 C. tomato sauce

red pepper flakes (as good pinch)

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

S&P

a pot that can go in the oven.

(substitute veg. with any and all sad or happy veggies in your kitchen)

Step 0: preheat to 350˚ 

Step 1: wash and pat chicken dry, (wash your hands, then) Salt and pepper both sides.

Step 2: heat up the dutch oven and place chicken skin side down, the fat should render out and look pretty gross, take the chicken out and put aside once the skin browned. Empty the fat from the pan to a can or something you really don't care about.

Step 3:  place dutch oven back on the stove and replace the chicken skin side up. Add all of your glorious chopped veggies, and add the rest of the ingredients.

Step 4: Put in the oven for about 45 min. when the chicken comes off the bone easily you know it's done, at this point remove the skin and toss.

Step 5: I made some organic whole wheat rigatoni, but you can eat it solo or with rice as well.

this was absolutely the most homey warm yummy dinner ever! I swear and it took old vegetables and a bot to make it sooooo good!