← home
Chicken and Tomato Stew with Caramelized Lemon
4 servings
Ingredients
Stew
- 4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick)
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves, halved
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 0.75 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 14.5-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Caramelized Lemon and Assembly
- 1 lemon
- 1.5 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 cup torn mint
- Flatbread (for serving)
Directions
Stew
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour ahead (or cover and chill for up to 24 hours).
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Cook chicken, adjusting heat as needed to avoid scorching, until deep golden brown on both sides, 10–12 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving drippings behind.
- Add onion to pot and cook, stirring often, until softened, 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often until onion begins to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes. Stir in honey, tomato paste, turmeric, and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and juices and smash tomatoes with a wooden spoon until pieces are no larger than 1”. Return chicken to pot, pour in broth (it should barely cover chicken), and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, mostly cover pot with lid (to allow steam to escape), and gently simmer until chicken is tender and juices thicken, 70–80 minutes.
Caramelized Lemon and Assembly
- Meanwhile, trim the top and bottom from lemon, perch on a flat end, and cut lengthwise into quarters; remove seeds and white pith in the center. Thinly slice quarters crosswise into quarter-moons. Place in a medium skillet, pour in water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels. Transfer to a small bowl; sprinkle with sugar and toss to coat.
- Wipe out skillet and heat oil over medium-high. Arrange lemon pieces in a single layer in skillet. Cook, turning halfway through, until deeply browned in most spots, about 3 minutes. Transfer back to bowl and season with salt.
- Ladle stew into bowls and top with caramelized lemon, sesame seeds, and mint. Serve with flatbread.
Do ahead: Stew (without mint) can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Add mint just before serving.
Reference