Chicken Stew With Spinach, Potatoes & Porcini

Submitted by nsomniak6

"Fine Cooking Website."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 45mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 6 thighs
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1⁄2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 slices pancetta (1/8 inch thick)
• 6 skinless bone-in chicken thighs (about 2-1/4 lb.)
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large yellow onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup dry sherry or 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 2 large yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (1 lb. total)
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1-1/2 tsp. chopped
• 1 1⁄2 cups low-salt canned chicken broth, more if needed
• 2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar or 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup coarse fresh breadcrumb (about 1-1/2 oz.)
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves (about 2 oz.)

directions

1. Soak the porcini in 1-1/2 cups boiling water for 20 minute Strain them (reserving the soaking liquid) and chop them.
2. Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat.
3. Add the pancetta or bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 7 min.; transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
4. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper.
5. Add half of the thighs to the pan and brown them well, 2 to 3 minute per side. Transfer to a large plate. Brown the remaining thighs and reserve with the rest.
6. Add the onion and half of the garlic to the pan and season well with salt. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping up any browned bits, until the onion softens and darkens slightly, about 7 minute
7. Add the chopped porcini and cook for another 1 minute.
8. Pour in the sherry and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's almost completely reduced, about 2 minute
9. Add the potatoes, thyme sprigs, chicken broth, reserved porcini water, and vinegar and bring to a boil over high heat.
10. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook until the potatoes are just tender, about 15 minute
11. Discard the thyme sprigs.
12. Purée 1-1/2 cups of the chunky potato mixture in a blender. Return the puréed mixture to the rest of the broth, nestle in the chicken (and add any accumulated juices), and cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar.
13. Stew the chicken thighs at a bare simmer, turning them occasionally, until they're cooked through (check by slicing through the bottom of one of the thighs to the bone), about 30 minute.
14. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 2 Tbs. oil over medium heat.
15. Add the remaining garlic, sauté until it starts to color, about 20 seconds, and then add the breadcrumbs. Cook, stirring often, until they turn golden brown, about 6 minutes.
16. Stir in 1/2 teaspoons of the chopped thyme, season lightly with salt and pepper, and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
17. When the chicken is done, fold in the spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.
18. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoons chopped thyme and the pancetta; season well with salt and pepper.
19. Serve immediately, sprinkled generously with the breadcrumbs.