Greek-Style Stewed Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
• 2 bone-in chicken breast halves, halved crosswise and skinned
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped, seeded plum tomato
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 1 3/4 cups dry white wine
• 1/4 cup ouzo (or brandy)
• 1 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup sliced, pitted kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add half of chicken to pan, flesh side down. Cook 4 minutes or until browned; remove from pan. Repeat with remaining chicken. Set chicken aside.
3. 3. Add onion, tomato, bell pepper, and garlic to pan; cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add wine and ouzo; cook for 2 minutes, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Return chicken to pan, flesh side up. Combine stock and flour in a bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add stock mixture to pan.
4. 4. Stir in oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 325° for 45 minutes or until chicken is done and very tender. Remove pan from oven. Remove chicken from pan, and top with 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Keep warm. Heat pan over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 3 cups. Add olives, butter, lemon juice, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring until butter melts. Discard bay leaf. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.