chicken thighs with lentils, chorizo and red pepper
rating:I did this one day without the chicken, and it was just lovely!
serves 4
1 2/3 cups lentils (about 2/3 pound)
3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/2 pound dried chorizo or salami, casings removed, cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 chicken thighs
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
2/3 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
in a large saucepan, bring the lentils, water, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, the thyme, and bay leaf to a boil over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat. Simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender but not falling apart, about 25 minutes.
meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderate heat. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Reduce the heat to moderately low and add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture to the simmering lentils.
heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the pan over moderate heat. Season the chicken with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper and add it to the pan. Cook the chicken, turning, until brown, about 12 minutes in all. Pour off all the fat from the pan. Add the broth, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is just done, about 15 minutes. Add the pan juices from the chicken to the lentils along with the lemon juice and the parsley. Top with the chicken and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
