Spanish Chicken, the most boring dinner in the world

Scenario: You have been on the beach or ski slopes all day with the family and you have just run into friends, one thing leads to another in the conversation then bang someone comes out with - “hey you should come back to our holiday apartment this evening for dinner” before you comprehend what has just been said an answer shoots back “great idea we will be around at 7pm, we’ll bring some wine”.

Now you ski off or lie back on your beach towel thinking “sh%t what have I just done” what can we cook, I’m tired and could not be bothered.

Well the following chicken dish is so easy to make it could be almost classified as the easist dinner in the world (besides cheese on toast), perfect for casual entertaining and fuelling hungry kids on holidays.

LitteNomads Spanish Chicken in a pot

Equipment: sharp Knife, a big spoon, large pot or oven proof dish like a Le Creuset oval oven pot, plus a partner who can deal with the kids for 10mins
Prep time: 10 to 15mins
Cooking time: 30 to 40 mins
Difficulty: a glass of wine in one hand and casual conversation in the background not hard!

Ingredients:

1. 500g Chicken thighs - (no bones), chopped into rough bite sizes
2. 3 - Chorizo Sausages - sliced
3. 2 x Large Onions - (Spanish/Red Onion) Peeled and roughly cut in 1/8
4. 2 Bay leaves, Fresh Herbs like Basil work well if you have.
5. 2 (250g) x tins of crushed tomatoes, feel free to throw some fresh ones in on top if you have
6. 300ml of water
7. Splash of Red wine doesn’t hurt if you have
8. good lugg of olive oil
9. 500g of Artichoke Hearts the ones in class jar in brine. (Chopped)
10. Pepper cracked

Cooking Steps

1. In the large pan or Le Creuset goose pot fry off the onions with the lugg of oil till soft and clear,
2. then add chicken, fry and stir till brown,
3. add the sausage, bay leave keep cooking for another minute
4. add the liquids tomatoes, artichoke, optional red wine, and water
5. Bring to the boil, then season with pepper and reduce to simmer and cover.
6. Let it slow cook for 30 to 40mins, stir every 15mins and top up with water if it begins to stick to the pan.
7. note: If you are using an oven proof dish preheat the oven to around 180c, and place in the oven for 30 to 40 mins. check the liquid level at around 20mins top up if need be.

Results - At the 30 min mark you should have rich tomato based Provencal styled chicken casserole, serve it with fresh greens, soft creamy polenta or rice and some crusty bread.

Tip: This dish would be perfect for a family camping holiday trip, either prepared before or could be easily prepared on site and cooked over the hot coals using a camp oven, yum!

Your guests and the kids will love this dish so much there will be silence, don’t let this fool you that you are boring people its just that your chicken tastes so good.