Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms & Bacon
16Ah yes, braising when it’s 100 degrees out. You must think I’m crazy. Well, to be honest, I am a little crazy, but this recipe is actually from a few months back when it wasn’t so disgustingly hot out. It just made its way off my camera a little late.
Braising is awesome. It’s true. It leaves meat so tender and flavorful and it really doesn’t take a lot of effort. And it doesn’t have to just be for red meat. Braising chicken thighs is a great alternative. They have tons of flavor, and the combination of the bone and dark meat make them incredibly moist so they don’t dry out. Mushrooms and bacon certainly don’t hurt, either.
I skinned this chicken because braising does not produce a crispy skin (which, obviously, is when skin is at its tastiest!). But, I have braised chicken with skin on for more flavor, removing it before eating, and that works, too. I used a mixture of beef and chicken broth because that’s what I had, and I tend to love beef broth with marsala, even if it is a chicken dish. That said, use whatever broth you have around or want to use!
I served these with roasted asparagus and some mashed cannellini beans.
Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and Bacon
Serves 2
2 thick strips of bacon, chopped
2-4 bone-in chicken thighs (depending on size)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
4 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 sprig of thyme or small pinch of dried thyme
2 cloves garlic
1/2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup marsala
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup beef broth
salt and pepper
Heat a small dutch oven/casserole to medium-high. Add the bacon and cook until your desired doneness and the fat has rendered. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain off the fat if there is more than 1/2 Tbsp. remaining.
Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add to the hot pot, searing on both sides. Remove and set aside.
To the pot, add the onion, (add a little olive oil if you need more fat) cooking until translucent. Add the mushrooms, thyme & garlic and saute an additional few minutes until the mushrooms have released most of their moisture.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook it off for about a minute. Pour in the marsala and deglaze, scraping the browned bits up and allowing the wine to evaporate almost entirely.
Add the broth and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, add the chicken back in, and then simmer on low for about 30 minutes, until chicken is tender and cooked through. Season to taste if necessary. Stir in the bacon and serve.
If we threw this is the crockpot, the sweltering summer heat would be forgotten.
YUM! Looks like an awesome chicken recipe. And I love the flavor chicken thighs bring to a dish.
this looks great – my husband would especially love this meal!
This looks great. I’m definitely going to have to try it soon.
Wow! Just made this and it has to be one of my new favorite meals. I only had boneless/skinless on hand so I cut the time down and it still stayed moist and wonderful. Thanks Elly!
So glad you liked it, Aliza!
Who cares about heat when that plate gets put on the dinner table? It looks fab!
I made this tonight with chicken quarters in the countertop cooker. So good! But I have to say that my favorite part was the cannellini beans. I made steamed green beans to go with it. It was delicious. I have a picture if you want me to send it!
I’m so glad you liked both the chicken and the beans, Wendy!
I have another braised chicken dish from you that I love so I will definitely be trying this one out!
omg this is my new favorite recipe!! I’m highly saddened though that I can’t eat it again for awhile as my poor breastfed baby was not her usual happy self after I ate this. Onions and garlic must not agree with her!
Excellent though and am looking forward to the next time I can make/eat this!!
So glad you liked it, Devon! I count myself pretty lucky that my breastfed baby doesn’t seem to be bothered by things I eat – especially not garlic, thankfully, or we’d have some problems! 🙂
Elly, I made this recipe for dinner tonight…Fantastic!!! I linked your page on my blog today. Thanks for this keeper!
http://gardenofeden-craftsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/04/food-is-best-when-shared-with-ones-you.html
Glad you liked it, Kindra!
Since DH and the little one were sick on my birthday, we couldn’t go out. Figured I would make a good dinner instead and chose this recipe. It was really good and the birthday girl was satisfied! Thanks!
So happy you enjoyed it, Chelai. Happy birthday!