Paprika Chicken One-Pot

A lovely winter dish by Merrillees Parker ('Good Food' magazine, Novemver 05) using sherry instead of wine which gives the sauce a softer flavour. I added more paprika, though, and a hint of chilli which is not in the original recipe. I also added a red bell pepper, which worked well. Please note that the cooking time really depends on the chunks of your potatoes. I had to more than double the stated time. However, that shouldn't worry you as the dish can be prepared in advance and reheated. And yes, it's also suitable for freezing :).

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons light olive oil
• 8  boneless skinless chicken thighs, each cut into four pieces (I preferred smaller sizes, so I cut mine into 8)
• 1  onion, finely sliced
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 500  g floury potatoes, peeled and cubed (1 lb)
• 1  tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1  tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste (or substitute with tomato puree)
• 1  teaspoon paprika (I used 1 tablespoon)
• 1  pinch chili powder, not in original recipe (optional)
• 2  tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 100  ml sherry wine (3 1/2 fl oz)
• 300  ml  fresh  chicken stock
• 4  tablespoons sour cream, to serve (optional)
• 4  teaspoons flat leaf parsley, chopped, to serve (optional)

Directions

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a sauté pan over a medium heat. Season the chicken and add to the pan. Fry for about 4 mins until browned all over. Lift out of the pan and set aside. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the onion for about 3 mins, until it is jus softened, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
2. Add the potatoes, mustard and sundried tomato paste to the pan, and cook for 1 minute Stir in the paprika, chilli if using, vinegar, sherry and stock. Bring to the boil and allow the liquid to reduce for 2 minutes.
3. Return the chicken to the pan, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir well and simmer with the lid off for another 8 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened and the potatoes and chicken cooked through. I had to cook my stew much longer, as my potatoes weren't cooked.
4. Can be frozen at this point for up to 1 month.
5. Check the seasoning and serve in bowls with a dollop of soured cream (optional) and a sprinkling of parsley (optional).