I called this lovely Spanish inspired dish “Lover’s Chicken“, because I once served it on Valentines Day.
But you can serve it anytime, it is really very good.
Ingredients for Garlic Lovers Chicken:
11/2-2kilo/1 ½ -2lb Chicken, try to buy a nice free-range or corn fed chicken , cut into 8 portions
4-5 plump cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and slightly crushed
2 thick slices of white bread, crusts removed
1 tablespoon of almonds or pine nuts
2 generous glasses of dry white wine 570ml/1 pint/2 cups of home made chicken stock,( if you are in a hurry, use fresh chicken stock from the supermarket, but adjust you salt to compensate.)
Pinch of ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper, more if you like your chicken a little spicy.
A sprig of fresh oregano, or 1 tsp of dried.
A pinch of Saffron.
3 tbs of olive oil.
Cooking Garlic Lovers Chicken Instructions:
1. Fry the bread, the garlic and the nuts in a little olive oil, for a minute of two, over a moderate heat, just get them barely brown, whiz to a paste, set aside.
2.Prepare your chicken, It’s easier to get your butcher to cut up and portion your chicken, if you’re short of time.
I like to skin the chicken, but I’m watching my weight, it tastes great, either way.
Dust the chicken with a little cayenne pepper.
3. Heat the oil in a nice large deep-sided sauté pan, or skillet, and fry the chicken pieces until golden on both sides
You can do this in 2 batches, as you need to give the chicken pieces plenty of room to brown properly, set aside
4. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, and cook to evaporate, add the stock, saffron, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
5. Transfer the chicken to an ovenproof dish and finish cooking in a preheated oven for 20 –30 minutes, or until completely cooked. If in doubt give the chicken a few additional minutes.
6. Remove the chicken pieces from the dish, and keep warm, put the oven dish over a low heat, or transfer the juices to a saucepan, and with a wooden spoon stir in the bread and garlic paste, this will thicken the sauce, it should be a light cream consistency
7. Adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.
Serving Suggestions: With basmati boiled rice, and spinach.
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Average