Athena's Koto Kapama (Greek Stewed Chicken)

This Greek recipe is a favorite dish of Chef Cat Cora. It is probably not the actual recipe she grew up with since it's from a local Greek restaurant.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3 1⁄2 lbs chicken pieces
• 2  teaspoons kosher salt
• 1  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2  cups onions, chopped
• 2  tablespoons garlic, minced and divided
• 1⁄2 cup dry white wine
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (Hunts, use Fire Roasted)
• 1  tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste (Hunts)
• 1⁄2 cup  mizithra cheese (optional) or 1⁄2 cup kasseri cheese (optional) or 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Mix salt, pepper and cinnamon in small bowl; rub chicken pieces with salt mixture.
2. Heat oil in 11-inch skillet with high sides over high heat until hot. Add chicken, skin side down. Cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until brown. (Cook chicken in 2 batches if pan is too small for chicken to brown properly.).
3. Remove chicken from skillet and place on plate; keep warm. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add onion and 1 tablespoon garlic. Cook 3 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Add wine and scrape bottom of skillet with wooden spoon to loosen any cooked-on brown bits. Continue cooking until wine has evaporated. Add undrained tomatoes, remaining garlic and oregano to skillet; stir.
5. Return chicken, skin side down, and juices to skillet. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook slowly 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
6. Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm. Stir tomato paste into sauce. Cook uncovered over medium heat 10 minutes or until sauce reduces by about half.
7. Serve chicken with sauce. Sprinkle each serving with cheese, if desired.